New Feature! We are now accepting donations online. Join or renew your membership to LTWA here:

LTWA's Spring 2008 Newsletter

LTWA's Fall 2007 Newsletter

Water Conservation Tips

About the Little Tennessee Watershed Association

The Little Tennessee Watershed Association (LTWA) was formed in 1993 as the result of a watershed conference organized by local citizens and the Town of Franklin, NC. Recognizing the unique biodiversity of the Little Tennessee River and the impact that rapid growth and development was beginning to have on habitat and aquatic life, local scientists, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts came together to implement a strategy to improve water quality and habitat in the watershed. Between 1994 and 1998, LTWA was strictly a volunteer organization structured as a partnership between the Macon Soil and Water Conservation District. Board members, volunteers, and dues-paying members carried out the daily operation of the organization. However, by 1998 LTWA had become a viable grassroots organization and seeing that the volunteers and friends of the association could no longer devote the time necessary to carry out the organization's activities efficiently, the board decided to hire its first executive director. Since then, LTWA has labored relentlessly to carry out the important work that was begun in 1994 and we will continue to do so in the years to come.

Executive Director Jenny Sanders

Jenny Sanders developed an interest in the natural world while vacationing with her family here, in the Little Tennessee River Watershed. Throughout her childhood, she spent each summer in Sky Valley, Georgia where she was able to take advantage of opportunities to go rafting on the Chattooga River and hiking around the Little Tennessee River Watershed. These experiences helped to cultivate a love for the environment that is evident in her work now.

Sanders, a graduate of the University of Georgia, earned a B.A. in Political Science and an Environmental Ethics certificate in 2003. After graduation, she worked for one year as a deputy clerk at the Cobb County Superior Court Clerk's office in Marietta, Georgia. In 2004, she returned to live permanently in the northeast Georgia mountains and in December 2004 she began working at the Chattooga Conservancy, which is an environmental non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the Chattooga River corridor. Working initially as a volunteer and subsequently as an employee, Sanders focused on creating and implementing the Stekoa Creek Water Monitoring Project, for which she was the project manager. This work centered on educating the public about the plight of Stekoa Creek and involved regular fecal coliform bacteria monitoring, as well as volunteer coordination. She joins LTWA now as executive director and brings a passion for water quality work.

Jenny and her husband, Jeremy, recently moved to Long Creek, South Carolina, a small farming community just over the state line from Georgia. They enjoy whitewater paddling, hiking, gardening and participating in activities with the Chattooga River Christian Fellowship.

Jill Wiggins, Office Assistant/Intern

Jill Wiggins was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida. She relocated to Franklin with her family in 2005 and is presently attending Southwestern Community College. However, she plans on transferring to Western Carolina University in 2008. Her major is currently undecided, but she is interested in pursuing a degree in Outdoor Leadership or Journalism. Jill enjoys traveling and has visited many places such as the Amazon in Peru, Costa Rica and Panama. Jill has been working with LTWA since June 2007 and is very enthusiastic about her work. Jill's hobbies include cycling, hiking, kayaking, and traveling.