Our Work
Our vision is a thriving, clean Upper Etowah watershed that unites vibrant communities, rich biodiversity, and cherished outdoor heritage. Here’s how our Etowah River conservation work helps achieve it.
Water Quality Monitoring
Testing and monitoring are key tools for protecting water quality and public health across the Etowah watershed.
To measure the watershed’s health, the Upper Etowah River Alliance holds regular sampling and testing events. Volunteers collect water and macroinvertebrate samples throughout the watershed. UERA then analyzes the samples and shares the data with city, county, and state agencies.
Trash Removal
Trash in our rivers, lakes, and oceans has become a major environmental problem. In fact, most of it comes from sources on land. With every heavy rain, storm water washes litter from streets, parking lots, and parks into local streams. As a result, it threatens aquatic life and destroys natural habitats.
To fight back, UERA combines in-stream trash traps with community cleanups. Together, they keep thousands of pounds of plastic and trash out of local ecosystems. Protecting small tributaries also means a safer, cleaner river for wildlife, paddlers, and downstream communities.
Education
Real environmental change begins with awareness and hands-on experience. That’s why the Upper Etowah River Alliance partners with local schools to bring watershed science into the classroom. As a result, students gain a strong foundation in ecology and conservation.
Beyond the classroom, UERA leads guided hikes, kayaking trips, and other outdoor activities. These trips let people of all ages explore nature up close and discover the history of our watershed. Most importantly, participants learn firsthand why protecting our streams and rivers matters for future generations.
Community Advocacy
A clean river needs an informed, active community behind it.
That’s why the Upper Etowah River Alliance shows up at local festivals, public forums, and community gatherings. Together with regional partners, we raise awareness of the issues facing the Etowah River basin. These range from storm water runoff and habitat loss to water conservation and pollution control.
Along the way, UERA works side by side with residents, business owners, and local leaders. Together, we are building a united front to protect the health and future of our shared river.
Civic Leadership
Protecting a river means working with the communities along it.
UERA partners with city and county governments across Lumpkin, Dawson, Pickens, Forsyth, and Cherokee counties. Together, we bring watershed science into local decisions. These include stormwater planning, stream buffer protection, land conservation, and growth management.
We also work with school boards and educators to bring hands-on environmental education into classrooms and outdoor settings. In addition, our library partnerships offer public programs, resources, and events that make watershed information accessible to everyone.
Altogether, these partnerships build civic leadership and shared responsibility for the Upper Etowah. As a result, the people who live in the watershed have the knowledge and the voice to protect it.