Georgia River Network rebranded as Georgia Rivers

ATHENS – Georgia River Network is the sole statewide advocacy group protecting rivers and water trails in Georgia. After the organization’s 25th anniversary celebration, GRN officials saw an opportunity to reimagine its brand to reflect the rivers and streams that flow through Georgia. That’s why the group is reintroducing itself with a new name and look that emphasizes its commitment to protect and connect people with Georgia’s rivers and special waterways like the Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Trail.

We are Georgia Rivers.

Since 1998, Georgia Rivers has helped establish a human network of more than 30 community river conservation groups, including riverkeepers, water trails groups and statewide coalitions. The environmental group has developed a physical network of water trails to increase river recreation across the state, organized Paddle Georgia canoe and kayak adventures for thousands of individuals and families, and trained hundreds of paddlers in skills and water safety. With the support of river protectors and communities across the state, Georgia Rivers organizers say the group is just getting started.

Georgia rivers start in humble headwaters, gather momentum, confluence with other streams and form mighty waterways. Georgia Rivers aims to be one mighty movement for river protection throughout the state. The group’s new logo features a single flowing river to represent its growing river protection community united on a single goal: protect our rivers and waterways for generations to come.

Georgia Rivers’ mission is to protect and connect people with Georgia rivers. Its programs fall under three main categories:

Protect Georgia Rivers: Georgia rivers are the source of life in the state. Clean flowing rivers provide drinking water; powerful rivers provide energy, and healthy waterways sustain the ecosystems and draws Georgians to connect with nature.

Georgia Rivers protects rivers by bringing science to advocate for legislation and environmental regulations that will ensure all rivers are clean, healthy and safe to swim. Its mission is to keep rivers and water trails open for public recreation, ensure the responsible use of water resources, and provide a clean water legacy for future generations. The organization unites river protectors and provides leadership for the Georgia Water Coalition, Okefenokee Protection Alliance, and Georgia Outdoor Recreation Coalition as the fiscal sponsor. Georgia Rivers is Georgia DNR’s nonprofit partner coordinating the Georgia Water Trails Network.

Paddle Georgia Rivers: Georgia rivers are a place of transformation for those picking up a paddle for the first time and avid paddlers alike. No one is the same after a wild experience on a river, stream, lake or swamp. The organization’s members believe Georgia rivers have the power to reunite people with nature, and with each other. Georgia rivers are gathering places for healing, empowerment, and community.

Georgia Rivers offers paddle trips and paddlesports training to welcome everyone out on state rivers. It hosts paddle trips and weekend adventures on rivers in every part of the state. The annual Paddle Georgia trip includes up to 400 participants and is the largest weeklong canoe and kayaking camping adventure of its kind in the nation.

Georgia Rivers offers paddle training through water safety classes, kayak skills classes, and kayak instructor certification courses. In 2023, the American Canoe Association recognized it as the top paddling club in the nation for training beginner paddlers. Georgia Rivers’ paddlesports training pathway bridges the knowledge gap for paddlers looking to increase their skills and maximize their fun on Georgia rivers.

Explore Georgia Rivers: With more than 70,000 miles of rivers and streams across the state, Georgians are never more than a few miles from a waterway ready for exploration. Georgia Rivers is dedicated to providing everything outdoors enthusiasts need to explore the rivers near you.

Georgia Rivers is the state’s nonprofit partner running the Georgia Water Trail Network. This network of water trails, similar to hiking trails, includes nearly 40 waterways and 2,350 paddling miles. These water trails promote outdoor recreation tourism for rural economic development and improve quality of life for all Georgians. Paddlers can discover and explore all water trails on the free Georgia River Guide mobile app. Dive deeper into the rich cultural and natural history of Georgia rivers in the Georgia River User’s Guidebook series.

Learn more about Georgia Rivers’ mission to protect and connect people with Georgia rivers on its website at garivers.org

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