ABOUT FOLKS
Friends of Lake Keowee Society (FOLKS) is an organization dedication to the protection one of the most beautiful lakes in the Southeast: Lake Keowee. Lake Keowee has a surface area of 17,660 acres, is 29 miles long, with 388 miles of shoreline at full pond at an elevation of 800 feet. FOLKS was established in 1993 to raise awareness of the importance of Lake Keowee and its watershed to the economic and recreational well-being of Upstate South Carolina (SC).
Established in 1993, FOLKS is a 501(c) 3 entity whose membership includes individuals, families, and local businesses.
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Our Mission
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Our Leadership Team
Our Mission
Preserve, protect and enhance Lake Keowee and its watershed through advocacy, conservation, and education.
Who We Are
FOLKS is made up of people like you—people who care about Lake Keowee and recognize the importance the lake plays in the social, economic, and recreational aspects of all our lives. The organization is governed by a Board, elected by its members. We continue to grow our membership, with membership including individuals, families, and businesses. FOLKS actively monitors regulatory and environmental issues specific to Lake Keowee and is pro-active in representing membership through dialog with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC), the SC Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Duke Energy. FOLKS is also a founder/stakeholder on the Lake Keowee Source Water Protection Team.
The Board is focused on information-sharing, which is achieved through Keowee Magazine, our website, Facebook and Constant Contact emails.
The essence of FOLKS is its volunteers and our accomplishments are the direct result of the dedication and devotion of our membership.
Accomplishments
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30 Years of Lake Sweeps, Island Cleanups, and Boat Ramp Cleanups
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Habitat Enhancement Programs
o Installation of 6 Osprey Nests Constructed
o Placed 180 Fish Attractors
o Lead the effort to add riprap to specific areas of shoreline at heron nesting islands
o Assembled and installed 20 fishing tackle disposal containers
o Purchased and installed 75 Eastern Bluebird nesting boxes
o Planted over 8,000 native aquatic plants for fish habitat enhancement
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Performed decades of water quality monitoring
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Provide Adopt-a-Stream stream monitoring in several streams in the watershed
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Provided technical support in development of the 2020 Lake Keowee Watershed Basin Plan
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FOLKS was recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or efforts to improve water quality in the Cane and Little Cane Creek Watershed The South Carolina Environmental Foundation.
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FOLKS received the Honor Roll Award from the Izaac Walton League for promoting good conservation and stewardship.
FOLKS Leadership Team
Board of Directors:
David Metzger, President
Howard Gutenstein, Vice President
Timothy Cooney, Secretary
Dave Metzger, Treasurer
Dr. John Hains
Beau Sylvester
Board Advisors:
Patti Cason
Tony Gody
Suzy McKinney
Rick Sommer
Dr. Ann Savoca
Committee Chairs:
Lake Sweep: Glenn Coggins
Island Keepers: Paul Gibbons
Endowment/Finance: David Metzger
HEP Rep: Timothy Cooney
USRB Commission: Dr. John Hains
LKSWPT Liaison: Melissa Higgs / Suzy McKinney
GreenSteps Coordinator: Amanda Gladys
Scholarship Coordinator: Kate Clever
Web Admin: David Metzler
Community Engagement Director: Melissa Higgs
Magazine Editor: Doreen Zanotelli
Design Director: Kristy Adair, Inked by Adair
Past Officers:
Doug Hof, President
Jack Lewis, President
Sam Savoca, Secretary
Bob Swank, President
Ben Turetzky, Director Emeritus
Mike White - Board Chairman
Dale Wilde, President