THE AUWRC HOSTS THE LARGEST ALABAMA WATER RESOURCES CONFERENCE IN NEARLY 35-YEAR HISTORY
The Annual Alabama Water Resources Conference (ALWRC) is one of the state’s largest and longest-running forums for water resources. The ALWRC, facilitated by the Auburn University Water Resources Center, provides a platform for water professionals and academics across the Southeast to come together in sharing novel research, programs, and outreach methods. The conference agenda features presenters from a broad spectrum of water resources research, management, policy, and outreach backgrounds, as well as keynote speakers that are regional and national authorities in water resources.
The 2022 ALWRC was held September 7-9, 2022 at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama. Record-breaking attendance was reported this year, with over 340 registrants and over 320 active participants ranging representing at least 10 states. A conference highlight was a keynote panel on Blackbelt Infrastructure with EPA Region IV Administrator, Daniel Blackman, Director of Alabama Department of Public Health – Bureau of Environmental Services, Sherry Bradley, and Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Lance LeFleur.
Auburn University was well-represented at the 2022 ALWRC with participation from faculty, staff, and students. Photo Credit: AUWRC Staff
The 3-day long event opened with the Alabama Chapter of the American Water Resources’ Symposium on Wednesday afternoon. This year’s Symposium Keynotes highlighted Ecological Infrastructure and featured speakers Michael Roberts, President of the Coastal Trust, and Judy Haner, Marine Program Director with The Nature Conservancy of Alabama. A follow-up panel discussion on Sea Level Adaptation featured speakers Renee Collini, Coastal Climate Resilience Specialist with the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Leslie Gahagan, Environmental Director with the City of Foley, and Jeff Collier, Mayor of the City of Dauphin Island.
(From left) AUWRC’s Jessie Curl, Carolina Ruiz, and Rachel McGuire with the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center’s mascot Seamore the Sea Turtle! Photo Credit: AUWRC Staff
Several students at Auburn University received awards for their oral and poster presentations. Winners of the student competitions were as follows:
Oral Competition
1st Place – Benjamin Webster of Auburn University (Department of Crop, Soils and Environmental Sciences)
2nd Place – Giacomo DeLuca II of University of South Alabama (School of Marine & Environmental Sciences)
3rd Place – Anna Powell of Auburn University (Department of Crop, Soils and Environmental Sciences)
Poster Competition
1st Place – Danyal Aziz of The University of Alabama (Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering)
2nd Place – Kelly Kaye of Auburn University (Department of Geosciences)
3rd Place – Mehrzad Shahidzadehasadi of Auburn University (Department of Biosystems Engineering)
2022 ALWRC Blackbelt Infrastructure Keynote Panel participants. (Left to right) Dr. Mark Elliott, The University of Alabama; Daniel Blackman, EPA Region IV Administrator; Sherry Bradley, Director Alabama Department of Public Health – Bureau of Environmental Services; Lance LeFleur, Director of The Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Photo Credit: AUWRC Staff
The 2022 ALWRC had a record number of sponsorships spanning private industry, state agencies, universities, and non-profits.
The 2023 ALWRC will be held September 6-8, 2023 in Orange Beach, AL.
The 2023 ALWRC will be held from September 6-8 at the Perdido Beach Resort. More information can be found at the Auburn University Water Resources Center webpage.
The mission of the Auburn University Water Resources Center is to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration among Auburn University faculty and staff on water-related research, outreach, and instruction; conduct innovative research to find practical solutions for current and future water issues and empower private citizens to become active stewards of water resources.