AWWareness

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!”

I really like what the French say when they part.  They say “Au revoir”, which more or less means “until the next time we see each other.”

After more than eight wonderful years of being a member of the Alabama Water Watch staff, I’ve decided to step away from that official capacity and return to being a volunteer.  Volunteers are the bedrock foundation of this program, and without you, the Volunteer, there would be no Water Watch.  Thank you for your sacrifice and commitment.

Continue reading “Au Revoir, Keep It Flowing! A Message from Rita”

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”

Each spring, the Auburn University Office of Sustainability recognizes individuals and groups that exemplify the Auburn spirit by making significant contributions toward sustainability on campus or in a community at any point along the Sustainability Compass: Nature, Economy, Society, and Wellbeing with the Spirit of Sustainability Awards.

Several of AWW’s supporters and volunteer monitors  were recognized with Spirit of Sustainability Awards in 2016: Dan Ballard, Michael Freeman, and Brian & Elizabeth Simpson. We are so proud to have these exceptional individuals as part of the AWW Family! Thanks and keep up the good work!

Click here to read more about the award and each recipient.

Continue reading “AWW Friends and Volunteers Recognized with Spirit of Sustainability Awards”

by: eric reutebuch

Water monitors from throughout Alabama came together Saturday, June 25^th to celebrate 24 years of watching the water. Alabama Water Watch (AWW) hosted their annual meeting on the Auburn University campus. Eric Reutebuch, AWW Director, welcomed the crowd, congratulated AWW volunteer monitors and trainers on their efforts, and extended AWW’s gratitude for support provided by both the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES).

Continue reading “AWW on solid ground thanks to AAES and ACES support”

by: Eric Reutebuch

Since its beginnings in 1992 under Dr. Bill Deutsch, Alabama Water Watch (AWW) has worked with phenomenal volunteers throughout the state who have given of their time, talents and treasure to further AWW’s mission of improving both water quality and water policy through citizen monitoring and action. Dr. Deutsch awarded the first AWW Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 to Mr. Ray Kelley, an environmental leader in north Alabama, a long-time AWW monitor, trainer and member of the AWWA Board of Directors. The award was initiated to recognize individuals who exemplified a spirit of watershed stewardship above-and-beyond the call of duty. Ray Kelley definitely fit the bill!

Continue reading “AWW Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Dick and Mary Ann Bronson”