SouthWings

10/28/2026

Join Riley and Rolf to learn more about how SouthWings flights help with water quality monitoring and protection. They will be presenting in January at the Coastal Carolina Riverwatch's Water Quality for Fisheries Symposium.

☀️ 2027 WQ4F Symposium Speaker Highlight!

Riley's professional journey began at the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelors in Marine Science and realized her passion for environmental and public health. She then spent a short time as a shrimp aquaculturist in Greenville, SC before attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she received her Masters in Coastal and Ocean Policy. Through her previous schooling, work as the White Oak Waterkeeper, and service as an AmeriCorps member, she has expanded her understanding of environmental issues and strengthened her approach to protecting communities.

As the Eastern Program Manager of SouthWings, Riley, along with Dr. Rolf Wallin, will participate in a partner spotlight on Day 2 of the Symposium. They will discuss how volunteer conservation flights provide an aerial perspective for documenting water-quality, habitat, and land-use concerns; strengthening monitoring, public education, and partnerships; and supporting efforts to protect the quality of water and quality of life in coastal North Carolina.

📢 It's not too late to secure your ticket! Use the link below:
https://coastalcarolinariverwatch.networkforgood.com/events/100443-water-quality-for-fisheries-symposium

10/28/2026

This informative article about data centers uses a photo that Grant Blankenship Georgia Public Broadcasting took on a SouthWings flight last year.

In much of the country, the AI boom is driving the construction of hyperscale data centers. Not so much in New England. But change is coming. Here's how some in the region are preparing.

10/27/2026

10/27/2026

10/26/2026

There are just a few hours left to send your comment to the FAA in regard to the siting of spaceports. If you care about human life, birds, the land, the water, etc., now is your chance to make your voice heard. Remember, customized comments about how these rules impact you and what you care about are impactful!

SpaceX is proposing the busiest spaceport in the world for a remote stretch of wetlands in Louisiana, home to an incredible diversity of wildlife. 🪶🚀

But the federal government is proposing to waive 13 environmental laws to fast-track the project, including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Endangered Species Act.

📲 Please take action to ensure Louisiana’s vibrant wildlife are not sacrificed for a spaceport: https://ow.ly/Ba4250ZYtLR

10/21/2026

Join us in welcoming our newest volunteer pilot, Chris Timmins!
Based in Louisiana, Chris is looking forward to combining his flight skills with his concern for Louisiana's natural resources and coastlines to support SouthWings' partners.

Learn more in his bio:

Learn about SouthWings volunteer pilot Chris Timmins from Louisiana.

10/16/2026

A very special part of this year's SouthWings Fly-In was the inaugrual Legacy Award.

This award is meant to honor those who have served SouthWings mission as a volunteer pilot and/or board member for 20 years or more.

We were humbled to award our co-founders, Hume Davenport and Jay Mills, with this special honor.

They came together to launch SouthWings in 1996, and thirty years later, their legacy lives on as a vital partner in the environmental movement elevating important advocacy efforts, 84 volunteer pilots strong!

We are grateful for their leadership and the strong foundation they have built, and we look forward to the next 30 years of lifting up our environmental justice and conservation partners across the Gulf and Southeastern US.

Please join us thanking Hume and Jay for their continued support!

10/16/2026

We are still riding the high from a fantastic weekend connecting with our volunteer pilots at our 30th Anniversary Fly-In celebration. We gathered at Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, TN, back where it all began.

We kicked off the weekend with a FAAST seminar led by Volunteer Pilot Scott Humphries at Wilson Air Center on Friday. Then, we jumped over to Lula Lake Land Trust for a hike to the magnificient falls before the rain set in.

On Saturday, we shared stories and learned more about the important environmental advocacy efforts SouthWings flights have supported. We capped off our time together with an awards banquet to honor the special contributions of our volunteer pilots:

👫 Dynamic Duo: Christopher and Justine Noth, For their teamwork in capturing important imagery for environmental advocacy partners throughout the Gulf. Justine takes beautiful aerial photos while Christopher pilots their plane.

⚾️ Rookie of the Year: Gabriel Rincon, For jumping right in after he joined SouthWings in 2025. He has supported community groups, media, documentarians, and other partners with eight flights in the last year.

🪽 Pelican Award: Eric Jakimier, For his undying enthusiasm and dedication to supporting partners in Lousiana, the Pelican State. He joined SouthWings in 2023, and since then has flown from his home in Dallas to complete 13 volunteer flights in Louisiana.

🌠 Above and Beyond: David Warner, For his extraordinary effort to provide flights to expose unpermitted activities at xAI data centers over the past several years.

We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors for supporting this event and our mission!
SELC
Lightspeed Aviation
Counter Culture Coffee
STEM Flights
Doug Witcher
Hoota Woods
Fly-Inn

10/14/2026

Thank you to SouthWings and their volunteer pilots for helping us have eyes in the sky on high tide flooding!

10/12/2026

We are so excited to celebrate Volunteer Pilot Rolf Wallin as a Distinguished Volunteer Pilot next month with the National Aeronautic Association!

Each year, the National Aeronautic Association brings together people from across aviation to celebrate extraordinary accomplishments in flight, air sports, and public service.