Host Jessica Leigh Lebos sits down at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center with Cloe LeMaire, an environmental scientist and the Savannah Reuse System Outreach Coordinator for Savannah Riverkeeper. They dive deep into the major pressures currently facing the Savannah River, from port-driven growth to the rapid explosion of regional warehouses.

What We Cover in This Episode

• The Warehouse Boom & Public Data: Cloe walks through a public GIS dashboard built alongside 100 Miles and Ogeechee Riverkeeper that tracks developers, permits, square footage, and timelines—with expansion plans heading into South Carolina.
• Trash Traps & Brand Data: Discover how 12 NOAA-funded trash traps installed since 2024 are capturing stormwater litter and tracking specific brand data, revealing a heavy footprint of takeout-related styrofoam.
• Reusables & AI Data Centers: Cloe shares updates on designing an open-loop reusable cup system for Savannah and discusses the delicate organizing happening around a proposed AI data center along the river.
• River Science & Restoration: The conversation rounds out with a look at ongoing oyster research, baseline water-quality monitoring supporting the restoration of river cutoff bends, and upcoming channel deepening and widening proposals.

Get Involved Cloe invites listeners to join Savannah Riverkeeper, make use of their community reporting tools, and roll up their sleeves for a cleanup at Lake Mayer Park on September 12th.

Learn more about the voices and topics in this episode:

What's happening at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Resources:

Become a MEMBER

Volunteer at Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Partnership and Donation Opportunities

Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media Podcast Network