By: Mona Dominguez
AWW Director, Mona Dominguez had the opportunity to participate in the Bays and Bayous Symposium in Biloxi, MS last November. It was a fabulous conference and provided a variety of presentations by leading scientists, educators, and coastal experts from throughout the Gulf region. She gave an oral presentation, that highlighted the successes and importance of the NOAA B-WET funded project that has provided more than 40 educators with training, curriculum, and materials that they have utilized to engage over 1,500 middle and high school students with meaningful watershed experiences that have helped them to understand, identify, detect, and mitigate pathogen pollution.
Many of the talks Mona attended also focused on volunteer monitoring and other citizen science projects that contribute to the protection and improvement of Gulf of Mexico watersheds. There were many opportunities to learn from others and discuss shared challenges. She came home with many new ideas for AWW!
AWW Partner Bekah Farmer of Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP) highlighted the value of AWW water monitoring on the Coast. AWW Trainer Jackie McGonigal with the City of Orange Beach Wind and Water Learning Center shared how she has been able to reach new audiences by incorporating watershed education, including AWW, into her kayaking and sailing courses.
While there, she also had a chance to spend time with several of our Coastal AWW trainers, monitors, and key partners during the symposium, and she had the pleasure of hearing one of our long-time AWW monitors, Susan Boggs along with her daughter Elizabeth, as they participated in the lunchtime panel “Women on the Water”. They shared their experience as being owners of a charter fishing operation in Orange Beach. Elizabeth is only 19, but is already playing a major role in the success of the family business. The entire audience was very inspired by the stories Susan and Elizabeth shared.
Susan began monitoring in 2015 and regularly tests water chemistry and bacteria at one site at San Roc Caye Marina and another on Cotton Bayou. She has submitted 188 water chemistry records and 92 bacteriological records from these sites!
We reached out to Susan following the Symposium with a few questions related to her role in water recreation and monitoring through AWW on the coast. We think you’ll enjoy reading her interview!
- What got you interested in becoming an AWW Volunteer Monitor?
It was due to necessity. Our marina is required by ADEM to monitor the water quality May through October each year. So, when we purchased the marina in 2015, I attended the classes and became certified in water monitoring and data monitoring. - Tell us a little about your charter fishing company?
We own a 65′ walk-around, Reel Surprise, that my husband, Randyy operates. Reel Surprise offers shared expense trips and private charters, and can accommodate up to 35 passengers. We also own a 36′ Hatteras, Islander, that our daughter, Elizabeth, captains. Islander can carry up to 6 passengers. - Do you feel that the water data you and other AWW volunteers collect is important to water recreation operations like Reel Suprise Charters?
When I first began testing the water, it was because I had to. As Cotton Bayou has become so over utilized, I find that I appreciate and understand the importance of the testing. I am eager each time I test now to know that our little piece of paradise is doing well. - What are some of your concerns in terms of water quality for Cotton Bayou and other local waters?
The dissolved oxygen is always a concern. Prior to us owning the marina, there was a large “fish kill” where thousands of small fish washed up in to our basin. I am always eager to see the results of the bacteriological testing. - What is the most interesting “catch” you’ve had or witnessed?
The best catch has been my husband, Randy. But the most interesting species that I have caught fishing was an octopus.
