“If you get people out on the river and they have a positive experience with nature, they will help protect it,” wrote Dr. Tom Potter, pictured during the March 2019 Onemile Branch Cleanup at Drexel Park during Azalea Festival.

Kara Pound, Subaru Drive, Winter 2019, 2019 Subaru Drive Community Champions,

We are thrilled to celebrate these exceptional Subaru owners who embody the Subaru Love Promise by giving their time and talent to help their communities.

Photo: John S. Quarterman for WWALS, Tom Potter at Onemile Branch Cleanup during Azalea Festival, Drexel Park, Valdosta, GA, 2019-03-10.

The Watershed Protector

Tom Potter, 69
Valdosta, Georgia
Vehicle: Subaru Outback
Volunteering: WWALS Watershed Coalition, which works to protect watersheds in South Georgia and North Florida

“I have a Ph.D. in environmental chemistry and a lengthy background in the science of water quality — I worked as the director of pesticide research programs at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Tifton, Georgia. When I retired a few years back, I needed to find something to do with my time and the WWALS Watershed Coalition was a perfect fit. WWALS is an acronym for the five main rivers in the region: the Withlacoochee, Willacoochee, Alapaha, Little [, Santa Fe,] and Suwannee rivers.

“I am currently chair of the Science Committee, which was created through my suggestion. It involves looking at available data and information and using that to help make informed decisions regarding negative impacts from various land uses and discharges through industry. My goal is to try and keep our waterways as clean and litter free as possible. As a member of WWALS’ board of directors, I help direct funding.

“I also serve on the Outings Committee, which means I help organize a monthly public paddle within the river basin. I love when my volunteering takes me outdoors. One of our objectives is to introduce people to the marvelous natural resources that are a gift in our region and relatively underutilized. If you get people out on the river and they have a positive experience with nature, they will help protect it.”

More about the WWALS volunteer water quality monitoring program.

For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS calendar or the WWALS outings and events web page. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!

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