The Official Blog of Alabama Water Watch
AWW traveled to north Alabama last November to conduct water monitor trainings in the Clear Creek Watershed, thanks to a grant from Patagonia. The grant was secured in early 2013 to build grassroots capacity in monitoring and watershed stewardship activities in the watershed (go to www.alabamawaterwatch.org and click Related Projects for more on the Clear Creek Project). Continue reading “Friends of Clear Creek get certified”
The AU Ecological Engineering class (BSEN 5510/6510), taught by Dr. Puneet Shrivastava, met with Eric Reutebuch and Cliff Webber last November to learn about Alabama Water Watch(AWW) and to examine a local stream using the AWW Water Chemistry Monitoring and Stream Biomonitoring protocols. Continue reading “AU Biosystems students assess local stream”
About a hundred people gathered at the AU Fisheries Pavilion on October 12th to celebrate the career and achievements of Dr. Bill Deutsch. After 26 years of service, Bill now works primarily for his one dozen-plus grandkids (its official – see below).
The Earth System Science Center in Huntsville hosted AWW water quality workshops in September.
Click photo above for more info
As a friend of AWW, you probably already know that hundreds of citizen monitors volunteer hundreds of hours each year in stewardship of streams, rivers, lakes, bays and bayous statewide (you may BE one of those monitors!). Volunteers that have been trained and certified in water quality monitoring (water chemistry, bacteriological, stream biomonitoring) have tested over 2,200 sites on 800+ waterbodies over the past two decades, and achieved waterbody upgrades, resolution of countless water pollution problems, and education of thousands of youth and adults in aquatic ecology, water quality and watershed stewardship. What would happen if AWW were to cease?
Continue reading “Alabama Water Watch continues its evolution”
Want to keep yourself and your loved ones from getting sick from exposure to contaminated water while recreating? Well, now, there’s an app for that! It’s called the SWIM Guide. Here’s a description of the Swim Guide and how it came to be, source: www.theswimguide.org
“Swim Guide is built and powered by Waterkeepers to connect you to beaches and swimming holes everywhere.
Continue reading “AWW Data Makes Swimming at Your Favorite Water Hole Safer”
On May 10th, the 2013 AWW Annual Get-Together took place in Auburn, AL at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve. The evening began with a lovely Social Hour during which old friends had a chance to catch up, and folks had a chance to start new water watch friendships. Jennifer Lolley, Preserve Administrator, gave a presentation and tour to introduce attendees to the beautiful Preserve.
The AWWA Board of Directors is small, but dedicated. One high priority of the Board is to broaden, deepen, and strengthen the Board by adding expertise and capacity – for example, adding legal, accounting, and fundraising capacities of the board while retaining representation from monitors and other citizen supporters of Water Watch.
The following awards were presented to AWW Groups and Monitors at the 2013 AWW Get-Together on Friday, May 10th, 2013:
2013 River Basin Award: Chattahoochee Basin
Acknowledging the crucial role water plays in sustaining Alabamians and supporting future development, Governor Bentley established a task force in 2012, known as the Alabama Water Agencies Working Group (AWAWG), charged with developing policy options for a comprehensive water management plan for the State. This would be the FIRST such plan developed for the wise management of Alabama’s waters. The AWAWG consists of representatives from five key agencies in Alabama that deal with the management of water and water resources, including the:
