by Graham Williams, rising high school senior and Volunteer-in-Chief at Shoal Creek Sanctuary photo by David Tilson, President of the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis) is a perennial wildflower native throughout Georgia, and its presence usually indicates undisturbed, high quality native ecosystems since it takes years to establish and mature before flowering. It has a single thick taproot that can plunge multiple feet underground that stores nutrients...

Luna Moth (Actias luna) International Moth Week is a reminder that some of our most important pollinators only come out after dark! While butterflies often get the spotlight, moths play a vital role in pollinating native plants, providing food for birds and bats, and supporting healthy ecosystems throughout Georgia. More than 11,000 species of moths are found in North America, each contributing to the intricate web of life that healthy forests, meadows, farms, and wetlands depend on....

"I’ve lived most of my life in the Oconee River Watershed in Athens. Early on, most residents treated the Middle and North Oconee as an afterthought—just a place for waste and trash. That has changed dramatically, thanks to visionary environmental and political leaders who, over the past 50-plus years, have recognized the immense value of these treasures and worked tirelessly to change the public perception and take direct action to improve water quality and habitat. This movement led me to...