My View From the River

John Searby • May 28, 2024

A Message from Executive Director John Searby.

 

The end of spring and beginning of summer is always a time of transition both personally and professionally. With a high school senior graduating this year and closing one chapter of his life while another one opens, I am especially reminded this year that this time of transition is natural and necessary for us to grow and mature as humans. Nature is experiencing a similar transition. Spring blooms are fully open now and adapting to warmer temperatures. Spring showers that have been severe in some parts of our river basin and caused flooding and sedimentation are calming, reminding us that a dry, hot summer could be right around the corner. Our programs are shifting from spring to summer activities, as well. And I am looking forward to some long summer days providing an opportunity for evening paddles on the South Fork where I live.

 

Summer brings Swim Guide at Catawba Riverkeeper, and Swim Guide brings a flurry of activity to our offices. This year, our summer work will be bolstered by 6 interns generously supported by the Borman Family Foundation. At over 60 sites around the basin, volunteers will grab water quality samples at popular swimming spots and bring them to our labs in McAdenville and Morganton for processing. Our staff and interns will test them for E. coli bacteria, an indicator of whether it is safe to swim or not. Each Friday afternoon we’ll post the results on our social media sites and text message platforms so that you know if you’re favorite spot is safe for the upcoming weekend. Swim Guide is sponsored by Nucor and individuals all across the basin, so I hope you’ll download our app and check it out each week!

 

The other big shift for our staff that summer brings is an increase in our recreational programing. The summer weather makes it the perfect time to get out on the water for one of our Eco-Tours or to rent a kayak from us at The Boathouse in McAdenville or Confluence in Cramerton. We’ve also got spots left in our Summer Camps that we are doing in partnership with Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. If your family is looking for a fun way to give back this summer, I hope you'll consider joining in our "Cleanup Champion Challenge" during the month of June and see how many pounds of trash you can cleanup from our waterways. To learn more, head over to our website to learn more and challenge your neighbors to participate!

 

The final big area of focus for our team this summer is engaging with and getting you engaged with our elected officials across the river basin. For legislators in both North and South Carolina, their spring sessions are wrapping up and they are heading into their summer break. We are going to take this opportunity to connect you with them when we host our Pig Pickin’ and Politicin' Event on July 13th in McAdenville. You’ll get the chance to hear from your legislators about their conservation priorities and we’ll be sharing our 2025 legislative agenda with you so that you know what we’re going to be working on going into next year’s legislative session. Please join us and several other conservation non-profits in the region for this fun event.

 

As you make your transition from spring to summer, I hope you will have the opportunity to get outside on or near the water. If the summer provides you an opportunity to spend time on the water, I hope you’ll also consider supporting our work at Catawba Riverkeeper. As the only independent, non-profit, on-the-water advocate for the nearly 4 million people who live in our river basin, we rely on your support to ensure that we can continue our work in ALL SEASONS. I hope your summer view of the river is great!

 

John Searby

CEO/Executive Director

We're Moving Our Headquarters!

February 5, 2026
We're excited to announce that we are relocating Catawba Riverkeeper's headquarters to Confluence South Fork, our community center taproom in downtown Cramerton , NC . Th is move follows four years of operating out of The River Room in McAdenville and reflects an organizational transition focused on aligning our facilities with Catawba Riverkeeper's mission and long-term sustainability . “Our two taprooms have served as creative and welcoming spaces for engaging the community and inviting more people into the work of protecting our local waterways,” said Wendy Cauthen, Retail Manager. “We are grateful for all the opportunities we’ve had to connect with people over a beer brewed with water from the Catawba-Wateree River basin while enjoying a view of McAdenville Lake at The River Room. While we’ll miss that space, we’re excited to be just a few minutes down the road at Confluence, where we can more fully integrate our mission into a single, dynamic community hub.” Confluence, known affectionately as a “taproom with a purpose,” reminds all visitors who step through the door that “good beer needs good water.” Visitors are greeted by the phrase prominently displayed next to a striking mural by local artist Heidi Nisbett, which illustrates both the beauty and geography of the Catawba–Wateree River basin. “With staff now working on-site at Confluence, we can more intentionally connect the art, music, and recreation people already love with mission-driven programming that highlights education and conversation surrounding water conservation,” said Executive Director Dr. Mo Drinkard. “Our mission has always been to preserve, protect, and restore the waters that millions of Carolinians depend on every day. This move allows us to streamline our efforts, deepen public engagement, and continue serving as a trusted, science-based voice for the river.” We are deeply grateful for our time at The River Room and for the support of the Town of McAdenville, Pharr Corporation, and the surrounding community. Now headquartered just minutes away in Cramerton, we look forward to continuing these and other partnerships across the entire 5,610-square-mile Catawba–Wateree River basin. We invite longtime supporters, Confluence regulars, and new visitors alike to stop by and say hello to staff following our February move.

2025 Year in Review

January 13, 2026
Reflecting on a year of growth and impact.

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.