Community voices needed to help shape St. Marys River Watershed Resilience Plan

The St. Marys Riverkeeper is calling on residents to help steward the future of the St. Marys River watershed through its Watershed Resilience Survey.

As flooding, stronger storms, shifting seas, and development pressures continue to affect
communities across Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida, this public input is critical to the work of the St. Marys Riverkeeper.

The survey takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete, and no personal identifying
information is required. It is available online at:
https://www.stmarysriverkeeper.org/watershed-resilience/

Community input is critical to the success of the project. St. Marys Riverkeeper encourages residents, business owners, community leaders, educators, agricultural interests, conservation advocates, and other stakeholders to participate in the survey. Participants are invited to share observations and experiences related to flooding, erosion, drainage issues, storm impacts, road closures, and other water-related challenges. This information will help identify vulnerable areas and inform recommendations for future resilience investments and nature-based solutions that benefit both communities and the St. Marys River watershed.

"Scientific modeling helps us understand flood hazards, but local residents are the experts on their communities," said Alec Jarboe, Community Engagement Coordinator for St. Marys Riverkeeper. "The information we receive through this important survey will help ensure the resilience plan reflects the experiences, concerns, and priorities of those who live and work throughout the watershed. Their input is essential to developing solutions that protect our communities and the St. Marys River.”

This survey is part of St. Marys Riverkeeper's resilience planning initiative, Building a
Watershed Resilience Plan for the St. Marys River and its Community (Georgia and Florida). Launched in 2025, the project combines scientific modeling, stakeholder engagement, and community input to identify flood-prone areas, assess watershed vulnerabilities, and develop strategies that strengthen both environmental and community resilience.

Made possible with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's National Coastal Resilience Fund, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of War, the project will result in the first watershed-wide resilience plan for  the St. Marys River.

While hydrologic and flood modeling provide valuable scientific information about flood
hazards, local knowledge is essential to understanding how these challenges affect
communities daily. Residents often know firsthand where roads flood, drainage systems fail, shorelines erode, and storm impacts create recurring problems.

Community members can also help guide the project by serving on the Community Steering Committee. Committee members will assist with outreach, review project findings, identify community priorities, and help shape recommendations that will inform the final resilience plan.

About St. Marys Riverkeeper
St. Marys Riverkeeper is the trusted voice for the St. Marys River and the only organization dedicated solely to protecting and conserving the entire watershed. Through science, advocacy, and community engagement, St. Marys Riverkeeper works to ensure clean water, healthy ecosystems, and resilient communities throughout the watershed.

The St. Marys River watershed spans more than 1,500 square miles from the Okefenokee
Swamp to Cumberland Sound, connecting communities across Georgia and Florida through a shared landscape and waterway. The resulting resilience plan will help identify opportunities to reduce flood risk, improve water quality, protect property and infrastructure, steward natural resources, and strengthen communities in the face of future environmental challenges.