Author: srs0029

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RECAP: Project FARM Educator Professional Development

Project FARM (Fostering Agricultural Research and Mentoring) Professional Development: June 10-11 and July 15-16, 2025

By Amy Zvonar

When students return to their classrooms this fall, in addition to the typical new pencils, paper, and three-ring binders in their classrooms they will also find nets, buckets, and water chemistry test kits. These shiny new school supplies are currently being housed in classrooms in Elmore, Pike and Lee counties. 11 teachers are prepared to facilitate their use by hundreds of 7th and 8th grade science students during the 2025-2026 school year.

Educators with their monitoring supplies provided by Project FARM. Photo credit: Sydney Zinner 
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AWW @ World Affairs Youth Seminar (WAYS)

By Emily Brown

AWW Staff were invited to do a water resources demonstration for the attendees at Auburn University’s World Affairs Youth Seminar (WAYS). The Seminar is an opportunity for 10th-12th grade high school students to “examine global issues in a ‘real world’ context.”

Mona gives an overview of the AWW and 4-H AWW Programs. Photo credit: Emily Brown
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RECAP: 2025 AWW Annual Meeting @ Graham Creek Nature Preserve in Foley, AL!

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!  

Group photo! Photo credit: Mona Dominguez
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Science Time with BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose

By: Carolina Ruiz, Amy Zvonar, and Jessie Curl

On a warm, humid, and overcast morning in April, the AWW staff and members of the BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose met at the Parkerson Mill Creek Greenway on Auburn University’s campus ready for an exciting morning of stream biomonitoring. Rain clouds in the distance were no deterrent; the entire group was eager to see what aquatic mysteries could be found in this shaded section of the creek!  

Amy helps participants search for macroinvertebrates. Photo credit: BCPP Staff
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AWW Director Named River Hero! 

By Sydney Zinner

Big news! AWW Director Mona Dominguez has been honored with one of Alabama Rivers Alliance’s highest accolades—the River Hero Award!  

Mona’s dedication to protecting Alabama’s waterways has made a lasting impact, and we couldn’t be prouder! AWW staff, along with her husband Ariel and daughters Amelia and SJ, were there to celebrate this well-deserved recognition at the Alabama Rivers Alliance Water Rally at Camp Beckwith in Fairhope, AL back in March. 

ARA Executive Director Cindy Lowry, Mona, and ARA Board of Directors Vice President Johnathan McNair. Photo credit: Carolina Ruiz
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Volunteer Trainers Host Workshop in Anniston!

By: Dana Herren and Sydney Zinner

Volunteer Trainers Dana Herren with Logan Martin Protection Association and Jacksonville River Monitors, and Jonathan Kelly of Wild Alabama, and Volunteer Trainer Intern Jecca Shumate-Thomason with the University of Montevallo, led an Alabama Water Watch Bacteriological and Water Chemistry Monitoring Field Day in Anniston, AL on Saturday, March 22.

Volunteers along with program partners. Photo credit: Jecca Shumate-Thomason

They were joined by several program partners who supported the training: Carver Community Center, West Anniston Foundation, Coosa Riverkeepers, Choccolocco Creek Watershed, Wild Alabama, and the Jacksonville River Monitors.

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AWW Director Speaks on Citizen Science @ Wild Spotter Ambassador Training

By: Mona Dominguez

AWW Program Director Mona Dominguez was invited to join a panel on Volunteer Citizen-Science Coordination at the 2025 Invasive Species Ambassador Training hosted by Wild Spotter, a nationwide program mapping invasive species. Read on for a recap of Mona’s experience and more about the Wild Spotter program.

Class of 2025 Invasive Species Ambassadors. Photo credit: Wild Spotter
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