Dr. Clay Montague was named Conservationist of the Year at the Satilla Riverkeeper’s 13th Annual Gala on July 29th at the Stricklands’ Lodge in Brantley County.
Montague’s tireless efforts on behalf of the health and vitality of the Satilla River began as soon as he relocated to Camden County upon his retirement from the University of Florida’s Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences. Since then, he has contributed countless hours to protecting this watershed.
Montague recognizes that one of the people he most depends on in his work, is his wife, Wendy Montague. She has encouraged, supported, and assisted in all of his efforts on behalf of the Satilla Riverkeeper.
His earliest efforts were alongside then-Satilla Riverkeeper Gordon Rogers. Working with the Alliance was a natural extension of his distinguished professional contributions that spanned over three decades as a teacher, researcher, consultant, and mentor to a new generation of environmental professionals. He brings a well-balanced, scientific and pragmatic view of environmentalism to the Satilla RiverWatch Alliance.
Over the past few years, Montague has been instrumental in an estuarine restoration effort with the US Army Corps of Engineers co-sponsored by Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Satilla Riverkeeper. The success of this restoration could positively impact 10,000 acres of marsh habitat.
Montague credits the late Mr. Fred Voigt, Sr. of Ware County who, beginning in 1935, tirelessly persisted to show the US Army Corps of Engineers the silting damage caused by federal navigation cuts in the estuary in Camden County. “My recent success helping Mr. Fred Voigt, Jr. and others revitalize interest in restoring the estuary by closing Noyes Cut has been built on the strong political foundation that Mr. Fred Voigt, Sr. laid down,” Montague said.
Montague is a long-time member of the Satilla RiverWatch Alliance, served as Interim Satilla Riverkeeper in 2012, and currently serves as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors.
“Dr. Montague has been an invaluable resource, fantastic mentor, and dedicated volunteer,” said Laura Early, Satilla Riverkeeper. “Much of this organization’s success is a result of his extraordinary abilities and efforts.”
Montague has earned degrees from University of North Carolina, Georgia Tech, and University of Georgia. He was honored as Georgia River Network’s Volunteer of the Year in 2014, and he currently serves as the Chair of the Spaceport Camden Environmental Subcommittee.
The Satilla Riverkeeper® is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and educating about the ecologically unique Satilla River. For more information, please visit satillariverkeeper.org.
Board Chair, Jim Cottingham presents Clay Montague with the 2017 Conservationist of the Year Award on behalf of the Satilla RiverWatch Alliance.