Author: rec0004

by: eric reutebuch

Back in 1992, Bill Deutsch was fresh out of graduate school at AU, and ready to go out and change the world – for the better, of course. Little did he know that 25 years later, AWW would have trained 7,400 citizen monitors who have monitored 2,400 sites on the streams, rivers, lakes, bays and bayous throughout the state, and submitted over 86,000 water quality records to the AWW online database!

More important, that these volunteer monitors would have accomplished a litany of achievements in improving water quality and water policy through the use of their data and acquired knowledge in a myriad of watershed stewardship endeavors. The list includes positive impacts ranging from cyphering out fecal contamination in local neighborhood streams to impacting state water policy! Here are some examples: Continue reading “AWW celebrates 25 years of watching the water”

By: Eric Reutebuch

Last summer, through the creative work of Information Technology Specialist, Jennie Powers (College of Business/College of Agriculture), Alabama Water Watch (AWW) developed an infographic poster depicting Alabama’s world-class aquatic biodiversity. Did you know that Alabama ranks number one among all 50 states in the number of freshwater fish species (332 species, over a quarter of all of the freshwater fish species found in the United States), and number one in the number of crayfish, mussels, freshwater snails and freshwater turtles! We have species that rival the tropical fishes in their rainbow of colors and beauty.

Continue reading “AWW Infographic welcomes all to Alabama”

by: eric reutebuch

Alabama Water Watch had a busy year in 2016, with several accomplishments and transitions, as we all continue along the path to fulfill our mission of improving both water quality and water policy through citizen monitoring and action. Read all about it in our 2016 annual report:

AWW 2016 Annual Report

by: eric reutebuch

Rasika Ramesh is a doctoral student in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University. Her research focuses on modeling hydrology and water quality of headwater wetlands in Alabama’s Coastal Plain to understand how they function. In her spare time, she has a passion for conducting outreach related to watershed stewardship to young and old alike. Check out her recent effort at Mama Mocha’s in Auburn.

Continue reading “AU grad student spreading the word – Watershed Stewardship!”

by: eric reutebuch

Stephen Tsikalas attended his first AWW workshops in 2014. He got certified as both a water chemistry and bacteriological monitor, then, in 2015, advanced to become an AWW trainer. He has integrated AWW water monitoring into his Geography curriculum at Jacksonville State University, where he teaches. Water quality monitoring provides the students with real-world beyond-the-classroom field experience that melds seamlessly into their Geography studies. Over the past two years, Stephen and his students have monitored local streams and springs in the Jacksonville area, and Stephen has conducted or assisted in several AWW trainings, certifying more than 75 new citizen volunteer monitors!

Continue reading “Stephen Tsikalas, AWW trainer & monitor extraordinaire!”

by: eric reutebuch

Homer Singleton attended his first AWW workshop in Elberta, Alabama in the Wolf Bay Watershed in 2003.  In October 2007, with four years of monitoring under his belt, Homer got certified as both a water chemistry and bacteriological monitoring trainer.  Since that time he has conducted or helped conduct 74 workshops, 22 recertification sessions, and has issued more than 371 certifications to over 186 volunteer monitors –  WOW- what an impact!. In recognition of his outstanding service as an AWW trainer, Alabama Water Watch was honored to present Homer with the 2013 Trainer of the Year Award. Click here for award article.

Continue reading “Homer Singleton, AWW trainer & monitor extraordinaire!”

by: eric reutebuch

Hey there, Water Watchers!

For all of our visual learners out there, or those of you who need a refresher on your water testing skills, check out our new and improved YouTube channel! Our student intern Sam was tasked with the creation of instructional videos for all of our water testing methods, and we think they are pretty AWW-some. These videos are intended to emphasize the most important steps and tips in our protocols clearly and succinctly, perfect for refreshing your skills or gaining a better understanding after attending one of our workshops!

Continue reading “New AWW Instructional Videos – they’re AWW-some!”

by: eric reutebuch

Christian Miller has been working in extension/outreach activities since 2004, first in Florida, and then in south Alabama. Christian joined the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium outreach team as an extension specialist in 2009. He works out of the Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center in Mobile, Alabama, and his work focuses on nonpoint source pollution. He serves as the Alabama- Mississippi Clean Marina Program coordinator and the Coastal Alabama Clean Water Partnership facilitator. Along with all of this great work, he found time to become an AWW trainer too! Since becoming certified as an AWW trainer in 2014, Christian has coordinated numerous trainings along Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast.

Let’s get to know Christian a bit better: Continue reading “Christian Miller, AWW trainer & supporter extraordinaire!”

by: eric reutebuch

Judy has been water monitoring, educating youth about environmental stewardship and training volunteer monitors in central Alabama, along with working full-time (until recently), over the past couple of decades. She has monitored both water chemistry and bacteria in the Montgomery area and in the Lake Martin area, and submitted over 100 data records from 13 different sites to the AWW database! She became certified in both water chemistry and bacteriological monitoring, and has conducted numerous workshops in both.

Let’s get to know Judy better: Continue reading “Judy Palfrey, AWW trainer & monitor extraordinaire!”

by: eric reutebuch

The following groups and individuals were recognized during the AWW Annual Meeting on June 25, 2016 in Auburn. We hope that you will join us in congratulating them for achieving water monitoring milestones during the past year!

Continue reading “2016’s Award Winning Water Watchers”