Although she would not be inclined to claim the title, Dr. Mary Freeman – Research Ecologist for the USGS Pawtuxet Wildlife Research Center and Institute of Ecology, UGA, is our first Georgia River Hero. Not only has she recently published the discovery of a new fish species, the Halloween darter, she is constantly in the middle of the most important issues facing our rivers. Dr. Freeman provides research data for stakeholders involved in river management. Closer to our heart, she has been a constant supporter and adviser for Georgia River Network, as well as a naturalist on Paddle Georgia.

Mary is part of a dynamic duo. Mary along with Dr. Bud Freeman, codiscovered the Halloween darter. Bud is the Director of the Georgia Museum of Natural History, as well as a member of the UGA water resources and conservation ecology faculty. Mary and Bud noticed that some darter fish, in contrast to the Blackbanded darter, had a striking orange color in its fins. The researchers had identified a new species, the Halloween darter or Percina crypta. The fish is common to only a few areas of the Chattahoochee and Flint River systems because it requires habitats with swift water currents over rocky areas, or shoals. According to Mary, there are far fewer shoals today because of the rise of dams on rivers and streams, as well as the removal of shoals to improve rivers for navigation.

Their discovery and on-going research has definite implications for conservation strategies. “Keeping track of the status of the Halloween darter, along with other species that require shoal habitats in the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers, will provide information on how shoals as ecological systems are responding to changes in land use, water management and climate,” said Mary.

On other fronts, Mary has served (or serves) on committees ranging from regional and statewide initiatives, like the Etowah Habitat Conservation Plan Steering Committee and Target Flow Committee for the Georgia Statewide Water Plan, to national efforts like the National Fish Habitat Science & Monitoring Steering Committee.

Wherever she goes, she helps answer vital questions about our rivers, water supply and river flows. In Athens, she studies the different methods of supplying water and the consequences on our waterways and the fishes. In the Coosa River Basin, she studies how the counties surrounding the Etowah can combine efforts in the midst of fastpaced development to provide sufficient clean water, manage storm water and avoid pushing species to extinction. In the Upper Flint River Basin, given all the other users, she studies the water availability for a healthy ecosystem.

It’s not just about supplying the data and applying the science of ecology. Mary has to supply the data, tell the story for the river and be part of the solution as she is both USGS and citizen scientist.

She is most proud of a successful effort on the Tallapoosa River in Alabama, where an agreement was reached during relicensing to adopt a dam management framework that
protects downstream habitat while ensuring sufficient power generation. Mary’s data told the river’s story and established the need for critical changes.

On Paddle Georgia, Mary becomes the naturalist, teaching participants about the ways of the river through engaging paddlers in hands-on activities that provide a close-up view of fish, mussels, and crayfish. Whatever was hidden under the water is revealed and paints a picture of an eco-system that paddlers may have never known. Paddle GA participants leave the river with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the river’s inhabitants.

We know that comic book heroes have amazing super powers. No doubt, Mary’s efforts to protect our rivers and her commitment to Georgia River Network ensure her hero status with us.

Reprinted with permission from Georgia River Network