By: Amy Zvonar and Sydney Zinner
We were thrilled to host the 2025 AWW Annual Meeting at the lovely Graham Creek Nature Center in Foley, AL! We gathered with Volunteer Monitors and Trainers, Board Members, program partners, and new friends to celebrate the accomplishments of our AWWesome Volunteers throughout the last year. Read on for a recap of the day!
Check out the 2024-2025 Alabama Water Watch Year in Review Video
(available on Youtube soon!)
Guided Tour of Graham Creek Nature Preserve
Prior to the meeting, several participants went on a guided tour of Graham Creek Nature Preserve led by City of Foley Environmental Staff. City of Foley Staff drove “limo-style” golf carts and a wagon pulled by a truck to lead participants in an exploration of the preserve, including pitcher plant bogs!
We also got to meet many of the animals who live at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve Interpretive Center!
Program Updates & Icebreaker
View the 2025 AWW Annual Meeting Digital Program for blurbs on our award winners and keynote!
In the same way that each little spot of water we monitor and care for connects to a larger river basin, gathering for the Annual Meeting reminds us that our individual work on waterways across the state connects us to a larger community. This is why we kick off our meeting with the River Basin Roll Call. When individuals stand to represent their river basin, we draw attention to their individual contributions while simultaneously recognizing the connections we have across the state. This year, 12 basins were represented- what a great turnout!
Annual Meeting is also a time to celebrate the contribution of every drop of water, whether new or well-traveled, to our river system. This year, we welcomed our new Auburn University Water Resources Center Director, Dr. William Batchelor, who shared a few encouraging words with us.
Another new contributor to our annual meeting was AWW Summer Intern, Emily Brown. Thanks to a delightful and active ice breaker she designed, we were able to celebrate the unique contribution of every individual in attendance- even if it was just attending the meeting in support of a spouse, partner, friend or family member!
We all know water quality is a worldwide issue and to address this we received an update on Global Water Watch from Sergio RuizCórdova. Global Water Watch had a busy 2024, hosting trainings in Mexico, Chile and Peru.
Listen to a message from GWW Leaders here.
Other important contributions include those of our AWWA Board of Directors, Volunteer Trainers, and those of our AWW community who passed away in 2024. All received individual recognition for their role in ensuring AWW continues to deliver on our mission of improving both water quality and water policy through citizen monitoring and action.
Keynote
Roberta Swann, Director of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, delivered an informative presentation on the program’s history and current status. It was incredible to hear from her on how the program uses water quality data to deliver success after success in conserving Mobile Bay and its incredible habitats.
Data Lightning Rounds
What do our volunteers do with all that data they collect? Our new Data Lightning Rounds get the conversation flowing around “data-to-action.” This year, we heard from groups and individuals monitoring throughout our coastal region.
Valuable conversations were generated around how to sustain regular, active monitoring and build community networks to help address water quality issues. We will continue to host Data Lightning Rounds at future Annual Meetings to hear from groups representing all regions of our state.
Presentations included:
Angie Eckman, City of Foley Environmental Department
Jackie McGonigal, Wolf Bay Watershed Watch
Dr. Mimi Fearn, Dog River Clearwater Revival
Ted Henken, Fowl River Area Civic Association
Pam Baker, 4-H AWW Alma Bryant High School
Dr. Ashley Lindsey, University of Mobile
Dr. Molly Miller, University of South Alabama
Listen to the 2025 presentations here.
AWW Caddy Awards Program
The meeting ended with the Annual AWW “Caddy” Awards Program, which allowed AWW Staff to recognize and celebrate many wonderful people. Award winners received beautiful prints that display Alabama’s biodiversity handcrafted by Brian and Laura Cooley from RabbitFish Ceramics.
Read more about our AWWesome Award Winners.
Mullen-Debes Award for Monitor of the Year – John Witt
Trainer of the Year – Angie Eckman
Group of the Year – Dog River Clearwater Revival
4-H AWW Educators of the Year – Krista Flemming and Pamela Baker
Lifetime Achievement Award – Linda Ruethemann
Be on the lookout for the 2026 Call for Nominations in early 2026!
Special thanks to everyone who made this day possible:
City of Foley Environmental Department
Hydro Engineering Solutions, LLC
AWW Association Board of Directors
AWW Annual Meeting Planning Committee:
Anne Mathews, Stephen Morros, Dana Herren, and Tom McCauley
