Catawba Quest

Greg Nance • December 27, 2022

The Catawba Quest has been finished!

So, what is Catawba Quest?

Ever since I started working for Catawba Riverkeeper, I have dreamed of exploring the Catawba and Wateree Rivers from the source to its confluence with the Congaree River. In 2021, I set the wheels in motion to make this dream a reality and started the planning process. I intentionally gave myself a year (2022) to complete the goal to allow time to document and connect with the river recreationally, environmentally, and historically. It shouldn’t be a race to the finish line, it should be a chance to really get to know our basin and all its glory. Throughout the trip, I experienced geographical changes, weather conditions, wildlife, environmental concerns, and incredible scenery. From pristine water and wilderness at the headwaters, to cypress forests and bird sanctuaries at the tailwaters. From exhilarating whitewater raging through Great Falls to stagnant fog covering lakes, quiet and motionless as far as the eye could see, I saw it all.

Something else that I took away from this experience was just how important Catawba Riverkeeper's work in protecting and preserving our waters really is. By taking my time traveling the river, I was able to document areas where litter collects for future cleanups and exciting new paddles for future engagements. I was able to locate, sample, and report HABs (Harmful Algae Blooms), turbid waterways, discharge sites, illegal construction practices within the riparian buffer, and much more. As most of you know, Catawba Riverkeeper offers various recreational programs to explore different sections of the river, so whenever possible, I tried to incorporate these into my quest days.

There were so many wonderful people who made this trip possible. To all the staff, guests, dedicated members, partners, and friends of the river that accompanied me on the water or picked me up from a strange destination in the middle of nowhere, thank you. Nothing we do is possible without your support.

Keep an eye out in the future for more of our discoveries from Catawba Quest!

Greg completes the Catawba Quest!

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Catawba Riverkeeper Welcomes Dr. Mo Drinkard as New Executive Director

December 17, 2025

Catawba Riverkeeper is pleased to announce that Dr. Mo Drinkard has been hired as their new Executive Director. A standout among over 100 applicants, Mo was offered the position by the Catawba Riverkeeper Board of Directors search committee on Thursday, November 20th, and she assumed her role as leader of the organization on Monday, December 1st, 2025. Catawba Riverkeeper Brandon Jones, who participated on the search committee, shared that “Mo’s education, experience, and passion are directly aligned with the organization’s mission and needs. We are excited for her perspective and leadership in continuing the critical work of protecting our waters.” Mo is a mission-driven non-profit leader, professor, and scholar with a passion for building strong organizations, nurturing future leaders, and tackling big challenges in conservation, equity, and education. With over 20 years of experience spanning academia (Kent State University, Brevard College, Miami University), community partnerships, and environmental science, she's worn many hats: executive director, grant writer, program architect, DEIB strategist, faculty and student mentor, and not often enough, field biologist in muddy boots. Mo's work lives at the intersection of applied research and social change. She specializes in transforming great ideas into funded, functional, and impactful programs, whether that’s designing experiential learning curricula, guiding strategic organizational turnarounds, or helping community-based groups access the resources they need to thrive. From leading national workforce development initiatives to restoring urban watersheds (Doan Brook Watershed Partnership) and mentoring the next generation of environmental scientists, Mo brings an entrepreneurial spirit and deep subject matter expertise in biology, ecology, sustainability, and inclusion. Mo believes that science is for everyone, and that real change happens when we build spaces where all voices can lead. “I am honored and excited to offer leadership for the next chapter of Catawba Riverkeeper’s work. I believe deeply in the mission and am fully invested in the health and future of this watershed. I look forward to getting to work supporting the waterways, communities, and people that make up this expansive and impactful basin,” Dr. Drinkard said. Catawba Riverkeeper, currently one of the ten largest riverkeeper organizations in the United States, boasts over 8,000 members across the 26 counties of North and South Carolina where the waters of the Catawba flow. As the fifth Executive Director of the organization, Mo will bring new and innovative ways to advance the work of her predecessors and the mission of the organization in this new chapter of Catawba Riverkeeper’s leadership. Mo will be supported by 11 full-time staff and 22 volunteer board members to preserve, protect, and restore the Catawba River so that it sustains plentiful, clean water for generations to come.