Mallory Pendleton and Becca Risser | Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

Keeping Our Waterway Pristine: Chattahoochee River Stewardship

Calling all North Georgia Walkers, Waders, and Paddlers! It’s time to Sweep the Hooch…

Mallory Pendleton and Becca Risser, representing the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, chat with host Phil Bonelli during this segment of North Georgia Business Radio. They bring extensive expertise and passion to the conservation of the Chattahoochee River.

With over 30 years of combined experience, Mallory, serving as the Headwaters Outreach Manager, actively engages the community through various initiatives, such as leading trash cleanups and delivering educational presentations.

Becca, the Headwaters Watershed Specialist, diligently oversees water quality monitoring programs and addresses watershed concerns.

Through their dedicated roles, they play a pivotal part in ensuring the protection and longevity of this invaluable natural asset, benefiting both the environment and our local community.

Want to help support this fantastic organization?
Please volunteer to join us Saturday, March 23, 2024

Sweep the Hooch is an annual watershed-wide trash cleanup that brings together hundreds of volunteers each year at dozens of parks, tributaries, and access points along the Chattahoochee River.

You can learn more about this incredible event right here:
https://chattahoochee.org/sweep-the-hooch/

Mallory Pendleton, Headwaters Outreach Manager

Born in Kentucky and raised in Alabama, Mallory spent most of her childhood around the freshwater lakes and meandering rivers in the south which sparked her interest in the great outdoors. Mallory graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Biology and quickly moved into the Environmental Education field. Moving from the Florida Keys, to South Carolina, to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and landing in Georgia, Mallory has a deep passion for exploring, learning, and sharing her love for the south!

Joining CRK in March 2020, Mallory is Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s Headwaters Outreach Manager and she works out of the Gainesville office. Organizing events, leading a variety of outings, conducting fundraising initiatives, and representing CRK at a vast array of community events are a few things that you may find her undertaking.

Mallory and her dog, Ellie, currently reside in Gainesville, GA. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, kayaking, and simply soaking up the sun! She is thrilled to be a part of the CRK team and is eager to share her love for the Chattahoochee with the Headwaters community.

Becca Risser, Headwaters Watershed Specialist

Becca is a Georgia native and a graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Ecology. She spent a few years researching nutrient cycling and transport on Alaska’s North Slope, but she prefers the South and has lived here ever since. Before starting at CRK in 2022, Becca spent a year as a CRK fellow in the industrial stormwater program and was executive director of the Soque River Watershed Association in Habersham County for three years.

As headwaters watershed specialist, Becca is responsible for carrying out CRK’s programs north of Buford Dam. She manages the regional Neighborhood Water Watch program, hotline calls, Lake Lanier nutrient monitoring, and any other program needs in the Headwaters.

Becca lives in Clarkesville, Georgia and enjoys hiking and canoeing in the north Georgia mountains in her free time. She also manages a community garden and spends as much time with family as she can. Becca is thrilled to be able to share her passion for healthy watersheds with the Headwaters community.

Key Highlights of This Episode:

00:00:07 – Introduction to Chattahoochee River Keeper
Phil introduces Mallory Pendleton and Becca Risser from Chattahoochee River Keeper. They discuss the importance of the Chattahoochee river to the local area and their roles within the organization.

00:02:11 – Responsibilities of Headwaters Outreach Manager and Watershed Specialist
Mallory explains her role in outreach and development, while Becca describes her responsibilities as a watershed specialist. They discuss the significance of monitoring water quality and handling permits for new developments.

00:07:02 – Formation of Chattahoochee River Keeper
Mallory and Becca talk about the establishment of Chattahoochee River Keeper in 1994 and how they are part of the Waterkeeper Alliance. They highlight the organization’s mission to protect the river and the history of environmental advocacy in the area.

00:11:35 – Impact of Watershed on River Contamination
Becca elaborates on the concept of the watershed and how everything in the watershed ultimately affects the river. They discuss various pollutants, including trash, bacteria, and nutrients, and their impact on the river’s health.

00:13:51 – Importance of River Conservation
Phil emphasizes the importance of conserving the river and its watershed. He underscores the efforts of Chattahoochee River Keepers in promoting responsible practices to maintain the river’s integrity and preserve the local environment.

00:14:56 – Understanding the Watershed
Mallory and Becca discuss the expansive Chattahoochee watershed, emphasizing the importance of broader perspective and how businesses impact the river, even if located miles away.

00:16:25 – Clear Line at Atlanta Highway
The conversation delves into the clear division of watersheds at Atlanta highway in Gainesville, highlighting the significance of this natural ridge and its impact on the flow of water.

00:20:06 – Recreational Activities on the River
The discussion covers various recreational activities on the Chattahoochee river system, such as paddling, fishing, and exploring blue trails. It also emphasizes the importance of the river to businesses in the hospitality industry.

00:25:17 – Events and Community Engagement
Mallory and Becca share upcoming events like the annual trash cleanup and the water fest, emphasizing the impact of community involvement and volunteerism in preserving the river’s ecosystem. They stress the holistic approach to conservation efforts.

00:27:51 – Unexpected Impact of Events
The conversation highlights the unforeseen impact of events, such as the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, on individuals and businesses, emphasizing the interconnectedness of actions and their influence on the environment and watershed conservation.

00:29:31 – Events and activities on the Chattahoochee River
Becca and Mallory discuss upcoming events and activities, including the 420 water fest at Nofo, and encourage listeners to visit the Chattahoochee River Keeper website for more information.

00:32:07 – Membership and initiatives
The benefits of becoming a member of the river keepers are discussed, as well as the clean linear equation initiative, which supports various programs and efforts for water monitoring and environmental education.

00:34:34 – Holistic approach in business
The conversation delves into the importance of taking a holistic approach in business decisions, drawing parallels between the river watershed and the broader impact of business strategies and decisions.

00:36:17 – Positive impact on water quality
Becca and Mallory highlight the positive news that water quality in Georgia is improving, despite challenges such as population growth and urban development, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the progress.

00:39:31 – Freestyle rap on river conservation
The hosts engage in a lighthearted freestyle rap about river conservation, touching on topics such as keeping the river clean and the significance of the word “Chattahoochee”.