Alabama Water Watch

10/15/2026

10/08/2026

For 4-H Week, I’m especially thankful for the opportunity to work with so many amazing young people over the years as the 4-H AL Water Watch Program Coordinator.

One of the most rewarding parts of my work has been watching youth learn about our water resources and seeing them genuinely care about protecting them.

Working in water resources can sometimes feel overwhelming. But seeing young people get excited about science, their communities, and taking care of the environment gives me hope for the future and, on many days, reminds me why I keep doing this work.

I’m also thankful for 4-H agents, teachers, and other educators who have made it possible for thousands of young people to get their hands wet, ask great questions and show us that the next generation is ready to care for our water.

Happy 4-H Week and Thankful Thursday!

10/08/2026

🌱Get ready to grow your native plant knowledge!
Join us and the Native Plant Producer Network (MSU's Coastal Conservation and Restoration Lab) for a workshop on Growing Native Wetland Plants for Costal Restoration!

👉When: November 17th, 2-3:30pm
👉Where: Mobile County Extension Office - Jon Archer Agricultural Center, Mobile AL
👉What: Learn about native wetland species, coastal restoration, how you can get involved, and the important role native plants play in protecting our Gulf Coast!
👉How to register: MSUCOASTAL.COM/NPNN

10/08/2026

👋Get to know Emily Branch, our 2026 ACES Summer Intern!

Emily is entering her senior year at Auburn University majoring in Organismal Biology. With a history of science education , outreach, and water chemistry lab work, Emily is a great fit for the Center.

This summer she will be assisting Alabama Water Watch with water testing, developing a science communication project, assisting with the AL Water Resources Conference planning, and representing the WRC at various education and outreach events throughout the summer! Read more about Emily at the link in our bio.

Pics:
1. Emily befriends a snake
2. Emily assisting AWW staff member Carolina Ruiz with conference planning
3. Emily completing ecology class field work in Tuskegee

10/08/2026

Alabama’s water supports our homes, farms, communities, wildlife, recreation and so much more.

Through the Auburn University Water Resources Center, Alabama Extension connects people with science-based education, resources and opportunities to better understand and protect this vital resource. Alabama Extension’s broader mission is to bring practical, research-based information to communities across the state.

Four programs help carry out this work:
Alabama Watershed Stewards provides education, tools and training to help people understand watersheds and take action to protect and improve water quality.

Alabama Water Watch, through a partnership with 4-H, works with Extension staff, teachers, informal educators and volunteers to engage young people in watershed education and water-monitioring activities.

Alabama Private Well Program supports private well owners with education, testing information and answers to common well-water questions.
Alabama Drought Reach strengthens drought communication and impact monitoring to help improve understanding of drought conditions across Alabama.

Learn more about these programs here: https://www.aces.edu/go/5507

10/08/2026

Tiny creatures can reveal big clues about a stream.

Aquatic insects and other small organisms respond differently to pollution. By identifying the creatures they find, young people can use stream bioassessment to learn about water quality and the health of a stream.

4-H Alabama Water Watch gives students the opportunity to become citizen scientists as they learn about water quality. Through hands-on activities in classrooms and outdoors, youth explore water monitoring, interpret what they find and learn how they can help care for Alabama’s waterways.

Interested in a local opportunity? Contact Mona Dominguez at [email protected] for information on 4-H Alabama Water Watch activities.

10/08/2026

As Hurricane Isaias approaches landfall, be sure you are weather-aware and have multiple ways to receive alerts and updates about weather conditions in your area.

US National Weather Service Birmingham Alabama and NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center are great sources for updated information. Alabama Extension also has an online preparedness toolkit linked in the post below.

Stay safe everyone!

Take a few moments now to prepare.

As Tropical Storm Isaias, pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs, develops in the Gulf, Alabama Extension encourages everyone to review hurricane preparations at home, at work, and on the farm.

Review emergency plans and confirm important contacts.
Take steps to protect your family, property, and important records.
Prepare livestock, crops, and farm equipment.
After the storm, stay clear of fallen trees, loose debris, and downed power lines.

Monitor updates from the National Hurricane Center and your local National Weather Service office, and follow instructions from local emergency officials.

Find preparedness resources through Alabama Extension’s Alabama Ready initiative: https://www.aces.edu/go/4522

10/07/2026

🍀 4-H AWW Volunteer Highlight for National 4-H Week!

Christina Porter and Amanda King both teach science at Muscle Shoals High School and have been involved with 4-H Alabama Water Watch since 2018. They love getting out on the Tennessee River with their students to conduct water quality monitoring!

Read more about Christina and Amanda, who use 4-H AWW in their high school classroom to give students opportunities to collect useful, meaningful data, in AWWareness>>

https://awwblog.auburn.edu/2026/08/25/4-h-aww-volunteer-highlight-christina-porter-and-amanda-king/



Photo credits: Amanda King and Christina Porter

Muscle Shoals City Schools Alabama 4-H Alabama Extension