The River Basin Center at UGA

New Report: Protecting Small Streams, Wetlands, and Seasonal Channels Protects Rivers More than two decades ago, Where Rivers Are Born helped establish the scientific case for protecting the small streams and wetlands that form the backbone of our river systems. This newly updated edition—developed by the University of Georgia’s River Basin Center in collaboration with leading fr...

This is solid scientific information so people can express informed opinions about the policies that affect their lives. It's an honor to be part of the work to create this update.

New Report: Protecting Small Streams, Wetlands, and Seasonal Channels Protects Rivers More than two decades ago, Where Rivers Are Born helped establish the scientific case for protecting the small streams and wetlands that form the backbone of our river systems. This newly updated edition—developed by the University of Georgia’s River Basin Center in collaboration with leading fr...

Due to forecasted severe weather and out of an abundance of caution for participant safety, we are postponing the John Kyle Spencer River Run 5K and Nature Walk originally scheduled for this Saturday. The 5K has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 8 a.m. The birding walk will be rescheduled at a later date.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Confluence Graduate Student Poster Contest, and others whose posters were displayed at the Richard B. Russell Special Collections Library last Friday!

In first place was Lina Caro, at the School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering.

In second place was Kathryn Kahn, also at the School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering, and Taylor Faherty at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.

And in third place was Shishir Rao at the Odum School of Ecology and Clare DeBerry at the School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering.

Congratulations once more!

The River Basin Center and American Rivers collaborate with local water utilities and others in South Metro Atlanta and Central Georgia to balance upstream needs for drinking water with downstream needs for wildlife, recreation and agriculture. Planning for the river became a real worry 25 years ago, when drought nearly dried up the headwaters. Today, the RBC, Odum post doc Laura Rack and others do important research to ensure sensitive wildlife survive while 400,000 people get the drinking water they need. Link in Bio.

RBC Lunch Lecture: October 17th (Today!)

Join us at noon to listen to Elizabeth Booth, manager of the Watershed Planning and Monitoring Program for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, provide a lecture on the Watershed Planning and Monitoring Program. Students will have the opportunity to inquire about careers at the EPD following the lecture.

RBC Graduate Students!
The 3rd annual graduate student poster contest is live. Submissions are due by October 15th, 2025. Follow the link in our bio to access the submission form!

Note: research from both natural science and social science will be accepted, so everyone should submit!

Congratulations to Bell Scherick!

Isabelle “Bell” Scherick will receive the first John Spencer Distinguished Fellowship at Ichauway. The John Spencer Fellowship was developed to honor John Spencer, a graduate student at the Odum School of Ecology. Additionally, Ichauway is a new position and opportunity for graduate students to research at the Jones Center.

Here at UGA, she will seek a Ph.D. in Ecology, with an interest in fungal-plant interactions and the effects of fire on downstream soils.

Congratulations to Tre’Shur Williams-Carter!

Tre’Shur Williams-Carter received the Butler Fellowship. The Butler Fellowship was established by Columbus attorney James E. Butler Jr. with a gift of $1 million in 2006 to the Institute of Ecology.

Carter is interested in freshwater ecology and microplastics as she pursues her M.S. in Ecology.

Congratulations to Devon Locke!

Devon Locke was named the John Spencer Distinguished Fellow in Aquatic Ecology. The John Spencer Fellowship was developed to honor John Spencer, a graduate student at the Odum School of Ecology.

Here at UGA, he will research nutrient and soil cycling with Krista Capps.

RBC Friday Lunch Discussion: September 19
Michael Wolfe, Secretary of NANFA, will present “Fishes in our own Backyard: Some Native Fishes of Georgia”, a presentation about the native species that populate our very own backyards.

NANFA is a community of hobbyists and professionals dedicated to the appreciation, study and conservation of native fishes. Many NANFA members develop exceptional knowledge of species natural history and phenology, and their observations could constitute valuable scientific data similar to that contributed by amateur ornithologists.

We will discuss potential opportunities to expand collaboration and exchange between NANFA members and academics, as well as ways to reduce barriers to access for native fish hobbyists.

The Rowen Foundation has established a research program that is focused on an ecologically sustainable watershed development at the Rowen site, led by the University of Georgia’s very own Dr. Seth Wenger and Dr. Rhett Jackson.

The Rowen site is an area of 2,000 preserved acres along Highway 316 in Gwinnett County dedicated to progression in sustainability and environmental stewardship, and the research team will spearhead progression with the production of biannual reports on environmental indicators.