Online registration has met maximum capacity and has closed. Please contact awwprog@auburn.edu to be put on the waitlist. 

Alabama Water Watch, in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and Wild Alabama, is excited to announce Phase III of the water monitoring project in the National Forests in Alabama!

This project’s goal is to promote citizens to discover the national forests in Alabama…by monitoring their waters!  Volunteer citizens will gather water chemistry and bacteriological monitoring data on select stream locations within the National Forests in Alabama.

Two hybrid (virtual and in-person components) water quality monitoring trainings will be held in March through May 2024 for the Oakmulgee and Bankhead National Forests.

Each workshop will cover information related to the water environment, forests and watershed health, pollution, water quality standards, and data management. Training participants will be trained and certified in AWW Water Chemistry and Bacteriological Monitoring. Although these trainings are focused on the USFS Project and monitoring sites in the NFAL, they are open to anyone interested in getting certified as AWW Water Monitors.

Participants will head outdoors to conduct monitoring practices and visit pre-selected monitoring sites on the National Forests.

Professional Development Hours are available through PowerSchool for educators who complete training. For more information, please email awwvolunteers@auburn.edu.

You must complete each of the steps outlined below to receive your monitoring certification.

Follow these steps to get started:

1.  Register for training through this form by April 2nd, 2024.

2.  Select the monitoring type(s) for which you would like certification through this form.

On April 2nd

Participate in the Kick-Off Zoom from 12-1 pm. This is not required for certification but will help you navigate the training process and meet AWW Staff.

• Use the link and instructions you receive via email following the Kick-Off Zoom to enroll in the Online Courses required for the certification type(s) you requested.

By Midnight on April 17th

Complete the self-paced, online coursework for the monitoring type(s) of interest. Course enrollment information will be sent to registrants on April 2nd. 

• Introduction to AL Water Watch – This course is required for all monitoring types and must be completed to unlock all other AWW Online Courses. (1 hour)
• Bacteriological Monitoring Course (90 minutes)
• Water Chemistry Monitoring Course (2 hours)

On April 20th
Attend the in-person Field Day at Bankhead National Forest where you will demonstrate your ability to conduct monitoring tests under the observation of an AWW Trainer. Participants will be expected to follow CDC guidelines regarding in-person gatherings during the training.

Field Day Schedule: 9am-4pm
8:45 am Check-In for Bacteriological Monitoring Session
9:00 am Bacteriological Monitoring Session
12:00 pm Lunch Break
12:45 pm Check-In for Water Chemistry Monitoring Session
1:00 pm Water Chemistry Monitoring Session
4:00 pm Adjourn

You will receive additional details for each of these steps closer to the workshop date.

Only your name, email, phone number, and mailing address are required to register for this event. We ask for optional information so we can better understand our effectiveness in serving all Alabama citizens and for reporting general, anonymous statistics to our federal and state funders. We do not share any specific information you provide.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Everyone is welcome! Please let us know if you have accessibility needs.

Contact AWW with any questions: 1-888-844-4785 or awwprog@auburn.edu.