The Atlanta Story podcast features meaningful stories of Atlanta’s builders, creators, and entrepreneurs. In this episode Jon Birdsong sits down with Sally Bethea, the Founding Director and Riverkeeper of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and author. Born and raised in Atlanta, Sally spent 30 years setting up and leading the non-profit that protects and preserves the 430 miles of our vital Chattahoochee river – which weaves through the state of Georgia and Atlanta.   

Topics in today’s interview include lessons on how the non-profit started, stories around Chattahoochee’s cleanup and turnaround, the best locations on the Hooch, ways to continue the progress and much more!      

The Atlanta Story is put together by the folks at Atlanta Ventures -- and we can’t wait to share some of the personalities behind the brand. Atlanta Ventures invests in entrepreneurs through community, content, and capital -- most notably through our Studio with companies like Greenzie and Intown Golf Club. We believe the best entrepreneurs learn from other great artists in different fields.

In this episode, we discuss…

1. How the founding Riverkeeper of the Chattahoochee was created in 1994. (1:30)

2. The geography of the Chattahoochee.  (3:51)

3. What is the most underrated location on the Chattahoochee along with the most overrated. (15:26)

4. Smart construction on the Chattahoochee. (19:22)

5. The inspiration behind writing “Keeping the Chattahoochee, Reviving and Defending a Great Southern River”. (21:08)

6. How did you know your job was done? (27:59)

7. How YOU can get involved.(29:19)

8. Alan Jackson’s song about the Chattahoochee – any coincidence? (31:37)

9. How the cultural influence of the Chattahoochee brings Georgia together. (31:53)

10. Why Atlanta? What has Atlanta done for you? (34:03)

Resources discussed in this episode:

Ted Turner’s Foundation and his daughter provided the first round of funding to kick-start the CRK

New Executive Director Jason Ulseth

The Atlanta Women Who Saved the Chattahoochee trailer

Keeping the Chattahoochee: Reviving and Defending a Great Southern River (UGA Press link to purchase)

How you can get involved: 

Visit atlantaventures.com/studio if you’re interested in learning more about Atlanta Ventures and the Studio. 

Where you can find us:

Website: www.atlstory.com

Twitter: @theatlantastory

Instagram: @theatlantastory

YouTube: Here

Subscribe to the newsletter here.