Author: srs0029

By: Mona Dominguez and Emily Ward

The Master Environmental Education Program (MEE) is an outreach program of the Baldwin County Extension Office. This group of MEE Educators work as 4-H Resource Volunteers, a 4-H Agent, and a 4-H Agent Assistant in Baldwin County Schools and the Baldwin County Extension Office. 

Ashley Campbell, Baldwin County Environmental Manager and Amy Newbold with the EPA Gulf of Mexico Office, proposed an Alabama Water Watch lesson to the MEE facilitators who approved the addition. AWW drafted an interactive and educational lesson to convey the importance of water monitoring and how even students can become citizen scientists. AWW, Campbell, and Newbold trained the first sets of volunteer educators who taught the AWW lesson to students for the first time during the 2018-2019 school year. With help of Extension Staff, including Sarah Butterworth, Baldwin County 4-H Youth Development Coordinator, it has been part of the repertoire ever since.

The program trains volunteers to teach nine lessons in schools and community groups about some of the area’s most critical environmental issues. Each lesson includes an outline, activity, glossary, background information, and correlations to the Alabama Course of Study for Science.

AWW Staff interviewed Cathy Banning, Administrative Associate, with the Baldwin County Office, who provided some information about the program and its impact on the community. Read on for more details!

Continue reading “4-H AL Water Watch Spotlight: Master Environmental Educators “

By: Sydney Zinner

Fall semester may be starting, but Alabama’s summer heat isn’t going anywhere anytime soon! As Alabamians, we know the summer heat won’t keep us from enjoying a hike, outdoor recreation, or water monitoring!

Working (and playing!) safely in the summer requires preparation, mindfulness, and respect for your limits in the heat. Here are some ways to stay cool, hydrated, and safe during those hot days.

Continue reading “Staying Cool Working Outside”

Community Inclusion Ambassadors with BraveHeart  helped capture participants, activities, and the beautiful Kreher Preserve & Nature Center at the 2024 AWW Annual Meeting as Event Photographers.

One of the BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose (BCPP) four program goals is to “utilize photo voice as an outreach tool to encourage disability awareness and acceptance. BCPP Photo Voice Project culminates in photo exhibits at 1-2 venues each year.” Photo voice uses photography as a means of story telling, empowering individuals to express their unique perspective on the world around them.

Take a look at their photographs below!

Continue reading “PhotoVoices: BraveHeart Center for Place and Purpose Ambassadors Photograph the 2024 AWW Annual Meeting!”

The AWW family mourns the loss of Colonel Richard (Dick) Bronson who passed away on June 10, 2024, at the age of 90. Col. Bronson was a dedicated AWW Volunteer Monitor, friend, and environmental educator whose legacy leaves a lasting impact on Alabama. This is a moment to honor a dear friend, and tell his story so that others might be inspired to work as tirelessly as Dick did to care for Alabama’s precious waters.

Continue reading “Honoring the Legacy of Dick Bronson, Lake Watch of Lake Martin Founder, Volunteer Monitor, and Environmental Educator Extraordinaire”

What are consumer confidence reports?

Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), also known as “annual drinking water quality reports” (EPA) are reports published by public water systems (well water is NOT included) mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Safe Drinking Water Act.  

Simply put, water providers are required to monitor drinking water quality and report results to water users each year. These annual reports provide information on potential contaminants detected through testing.

Continue reading “At a Glance: Consumer Confidence Reports”

By Jera Dills and Sydney Zinner

As summer heats up, there’s no better time to celebrate where many of us spend the longest days of the year – the lake! July is North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) Lake Appreciation Month, an annual celebration that encourages us to reflect on the ecological, social, recreational, and economic importance of lakes, and ways to protect and preserve them for future generations to enjoy. 

This month-long celebration is an excellent opportunity to learn more about lake ecosystems, participate in stewardship activities, and enjoy the natural beauty of our local lakes. 

Continue reading “Celebrating Lake Appreciation Month in July! “

By: Emily Ward and Jera Dills

Each year, Alabama Extension and the Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences host Fish Camp for high school students to explore water resources related career opportunities.

Continue reading “AWW Helps Out with AU Fish Camp”

By: Sydney Zinner 

On June 25-26, 2024, a new cohort of educators gathered at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana to complete their certification as 4-H Alabama Water Watch (AWW) Educators who will conduct bacteriological monitoring with their students in the coming school year.

This is the third cohort of educators to be part of this NOAA BWET-funded project, 4-H AWW Exploring Pathogen Pollution in Our Waters, which started with the first cohort in 2021. Educators came from various parts of Alabama, including Pickens, Shelby, Madison, St. Clair, Marshall, Blount, Hale, Lauderdale, and Autauga Counties. 

Continue reading “2024 Exploring Pathogen Pollution in Our Waters Educator Professional Development Training “

By: Sydney Zinner

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 AWWard Winners! Thank you all for your dedication, enthusiasm, and incredible contributions to the AWW Program. You are an integral part of our team! 

Continue reading “2024 VOLUNTEER AWARDS”