Chattahoochee Riverkeeper founder to speak at library

The Apalachicola Margaret Key Public Library will feature Sally Bethea, author of Keeping the Chattahoochee, as part of this year’s Susan B. Clementson Author Series on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. 

Bethea is the retired founding director of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, an environmental advocacy organization established in 1994 whose mission is to protect and restore the Chattahoochee River, its tributaries and watershed. The Chattahoochee system includes much of the headwaters of the Apalachicola River and her efforts helped draw attention to the need to protect and thoughtfully manage these important resources. 

Her environmental memoir, “Keeping the Chattahoochee,” (2023) tells stories that range from joyous and funny to frustrating – even alarming – to illustrate what it takes to save an endangered river. It has lessons for anyone striving to make our world a better place and was named a Book All Georgians Should Read 2024 by the Georgia Center for the Book. 

“Sally Bethea rocked the city with her fearless and principled leadership of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and insistence that the city and the people of Atlanta take notice, and then action, to correct pollution in the river,” said Shirley Franklin, former mayor of Atlanta.

Bethea’s book will be available for purchase and light refreshments will be served. This free event is brought to you by PALS: the Friends of the Apalachicola Margaret Key Public Library. The library is located on the corner of US 98 and 12th Street in Apalachicola. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early as library seating is limited.