As program coordinators, we can easily get wrapped up in numbers, reporting, and data, which are all vital things to the program, but not the focal point. We are starting off 2023 by re-centering our focus on what really matters, our volunteers! After all, Alabama Water Watch is just as much about people as it is about water. There is no AWW without dedicated volunteers who collect credible water data, educate others in their community about water issues, and advocate locally for protection and restoration of waterways .
Each AWW staff member sincerely cares about each of our Volunteer Monitors, Trainers, Board Members, and project and community partners; however, with such a small staff, it can be difficult to reach out to everyone to let them know they are valued and appreciated.
Monitors who were trained by a Volunteer Trainer or are new to the program may not have met any of us yet. We are a small group of dedicated folks who want to make a difference in Alabama, just like our volunteers.
AWW Staff’s New Year’s Resolution is to prioritize connecting with our volunteers and providing new avenues of support. Read on to see what we are doing in 2023.
CONNECTING TO THE AWW MISSION
At its core, Alabama Water Watch is a community-science based water quality monitoring program with the mission of educating citizens on water quality issues, training citizens to use standardized methods to gather credible water data, and empowering citizens to make a positive impact, using their data for education, restoration, protection, and stewardship. Ultimately, our collective goal is to improve water quality in Alabama.
How can volunteers help uphold the AWW vision?
As community scientists, our volunteers’ individual actions come together with the actions of others to make a larger community impact. When citizen scientists come together in community groups, they combine their resources, time, and expertise which can be used to collaborate with other groups, organizations and local governments for restoration, protection, education and advocacy. These actions can lead to increased community awareness, and improved water quality.
With the AWW Mission and Vision as our common grounds, AWW Staff hope to continue to build strong foundations within the AWW community and broaden our network of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers.
WHAT’S NEW IN 2023
Staff are actively looking for continuous funding to provide more volunteers with monitoring supplies to enable more folks to participate in water monitoring.
Following their initial certification workshop, new volunteers will receive a Welcome Packet with all the important info they need to get started monitoring as soon as they are ready. Some of the content includes Data and Site Forms, AWW Staff contact information, and info on how to get in touch with their local ACES Office.
Each quarter, AWW Staff will host a New Monitor Q&A Session to offer an opportunity for new monitors to ask questions about monitoring supplies, site selection, data questions, or anything else that may be challenging them. Veteran Monitors and Trainers will also be invited to share their experiences of when they first started monitoring, and offer encouragement.
Staff will be checking in with volunteers to discuss their data questions, interesting water quality results discovered over their years of monitoring, and provide any additional support as needed.
WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!
We want to hear from you. What keeps you motivated? What encourages you to pursue your passions and what drives you to want to be part of the AWW Program? Why do you care? Why should others care? How do you like to be recognized as a volunteer?
Email us at awwprog@auburn.edu or comment below.