Altamaha Riverkeeper Volunteer is One of Four Finalists for the 2006 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year

About Wendell Berryhill
Wendell spent much of his life hunting and fishing. At an early age, he learned to navigate the Ocmulgee River near his rural hometown of Cochran, Georgia and how to catch every kind of fish that swam in it. Wendell loves the rivers and all the animals that call his watershed home. By sharing his insatiable appetite for fishing and his knowledge of the outdoors with family, friends, neighbors, and fishermen, he imparted his appreciation of nature to hundreds of others.

Berryhill did not set out to be a conservationist but when he saw his river polluted with litter, sewage, and dirt, he did something about it. In 1999 when the Altamaha Riverkeeper began, he volunteered and has been working ever since to protect his river. He follows up on water pollution problems and assists the Altamaha Riverkeeper in field research, site investigations, and in the collection of water samples. His boating skills helped investigate hundreds of sites from the water and his expertise on fish is utilized to document aquatic species impacted by poor water quality. By working to enforce practices to protect stream corridors for wildlife habitat and humans, Wendell's fieldwork has supported five successful Clean Water Act cases leading to improved water quality in Georgia.

In ARK's presentations to sportsmen clubs throughout Middle Georgia, Wendell shares his attitude that sportsmen can be conservationists. He inspires sportsmen to become better stewards of the outdoors by encouraging them to report problems in the watershed, whether it is a polluted stream or a devastated wetland. Wendell encourages fishermen, and hunters to do their part to preserve the sport for the future. His efforts are creating new and vocal advocates for the protection of Georgia's water resources.

Having Wendell selected as a finalist in this competition is a big honor and Wendell earned every bit of it. It is recognition of a tireless volunteer for the Altamaha River Watershed, great public relations for the Altamaha Riverkeeper, and a wonderful promotion for river conservation. It is also an opportunity to gain financial support for The Altamaha Rivekeeper's work.

Please help us by casting your vote for Wendell.

The voting begins on August 15 and goes until November 30th. The winner will be announced in January. Remember, the winner of the award will receive a $50,000 grant to give to the conservation group of his or her choice. If Wendell wins, the Altamaha Riverkeeper will be the recipient. The other finalists will receive $5000 to give to their choice of a conservation group. As one of the four finalists, Berryhill is also featured in ads in these national publications: Bugle, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited Waterfowl Magazine, Quails Unlimited Magazine, and Buckmasters American Deer Foundation Magazine.

Please help generate votes for Wendell and the Altamaha Riverkeeper by e-mailing the story and how to vote to all your friends, family, and associates. If you have a website please post the information. According to the ad agency, a successful campaign leads to a candidate getting the most votes. We need your help and all the help we can get. Thank you. If you have any questions or for more information, please call the Altamaha Riverkeeper or see our website: Altamahariverkeeper.org

10-30-05 Wendell sorting species and counting them
at fish kill on Roach Branch

Friends for the Restoration of Gum Swamp (FROGS) in Eastman protest against plans to develop Land Application System (LAS) to dispose of partially treated sewage

Wendell teaching Turner Environmental Law Clinic students how to collect water samples at Roach Branch in Eastman, Dodge County

Wendell and grand-daughter Bailey Berryhill

Wendell landing a bass

Wendell helping Greg Milks measure

Wendell setting up flags to illustrate improper forestry road turn out

Wendell helping Mike Evans measure

Wendell taking a break

Wendell at Big Indian Creek

Wendell at road washout (Dodge County)