Upper Oconee Watershed network

The Ecotones have partnered with the Upper Oconee Watershed Network (UOWN) in order to help keep Athens rivers clean through fundraising and volunteer work. Click these links to volunteer, sign up for the listserv, or donate.

The Upper Oconee Watershed Network is dedicated to protecting water resources and improving stream health in their watershed through community-based advocacy, education, and monitoring.

UOWN was formed in January 2000 in response to citizen concern about the region’s rapid growth and its impact to local streams and rivers. UOWN members actively engage in various advocacy, education, and stream monitoring initiatives in an effort to raise community awareness about local water resource issues and to facilitate a cooperative spirit for long-term watershed protection.

Located in Athens, Georgia, UOWN is a seventy-five member organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The board and membership work to achieve organizational goals through a number of activities, including:

• Annual River Rendezvous
• Educational events
• Quarterly stream monitoring
• Reporting environmental incidents
• Commenting on issues affecting water quality
• Adopt-A-Stream workshops
• River clean-ups
• Networking with other non-profits
• Partnering with Athens/Clarke County
• Publishing stream monitoring result