Touchdown for the Home Team

UO sure is proud of our young angler-conservationists at UGA. We think a bit of their good karma may have rubbed off on the football team, too.

From TU-National:

“For the first time in Trout Unlimited's 60+ year history, the Silver Trout award goes to a TU college club. Read on and you'll see why they are so deserving of this prestigious award.

The 5 Rivers club at UGA has been a staple in the TU college community for several years. This club represents the key values of the 5 Rivers program: education, conservation, community, engagement, and leadership.

Throughout the 2021-22 school year, the UGA club created several opportunities for UGA’s student body to learn about fly fishing, conservation, and Georgia’s natural resources. By inviting unique guest speakers, working with community partners, and hosting events in an around the Athens campus community, the UGA 5 Rivers club has built a welcoming community for UGA students seeking to give back to Georgia’s natural resources and build meaningful connections with other anglers.

 

Perhaps the most notable testament to the innovation, teamwork, and synergy of the UGA 5 Rivers club is its contribution to the 2021 Clean My Water Sweepstakes held during TU’s inaugural “Trout Week.” With the help of faculty advisor Dr. Jay Shelton, UGA 5 Rivers alum Guy Eroh, and Upper Chattahoochee TU Chapter leaders, students successfully developed and launched a national clean-up initiative, inspiring people across the country to take care of their local waterways and “pick the dang stuff up.” This sweepstakes provided an accessible opportunity for anyone to participate in the Trout Week festivities from their own backyard.

 

Another admirable and nationally recognized accomplishment of the UGA 5 Rivers club is the Crayfish Creek restoration project. This project was developed and designed by UGA students and faculty and made possible by an Embrace A Stream grant, as well as support from numerous other partners. This project would not be possible without the talents of several students, including Emily Rogers, landscape architecture student and 5 Rivers club officer. Through her work on the Crayfish Creek project, Emily has left her mark on the UGA community.

This club is an inspiring example of what students can accomplish when they combine passion with action.”