MEET JESSIE CURL,
AUWRC OUTREACH & AL PRIVATE WELL PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and your current role at the AUWRC?
I began working at the Auburn University Water Resources Center (AUWRC) in 2020, shortly after earning my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. During my undergraduate years, I worked in Dr. Joey Shaw’s soils characterization lab, where I developed a love for environmental science, being outdoors, and wearing overalls (evidence can be seen below). Through that experience, I connected with Dr. Eve Brantley, who would become my supervisor and mentor for the next five years, introducing me to the world of water and shaping my career!
At the AUWRC, I serve as Outreach Coordinator and Coordinator of the Alabama Private Well Program, a statewide effort that helps well owners learn more about their drinking water and how to protect it. I spend a lot of my time meeting with landowners, neighbors, and community partners, listening to their water stories and helping them navigate questions or concerns that they have about well ownership. I love getting to translate technical research into practical, everyday tips people can actually use. Through this, I’ve also had the privilege of partnering with some exceptional researchers at AU, including Dr. Ann Ojeda and Dr. Camila Rodrigues, to offer complimentary bacteria screenings to well users during in-person workshops, helping to bridge a gap and reduce barriers that individuals may experience with testing. About 11% of Alabama’s population relies on a private well for their drinking water, so I do whatever I can to help make this responsibility a little easier! This program has also allowed me to connect with other agencies across the state, including the Geological Survey of Alabama and the Alabama Department of Public Health, to make educational resources about well ownership more accessible to the public. Additionally, I serve on the Watershed Planning Project Team for the Alabama Irrigation Initiative, where I help develop watershed plans that support sustainable irrigation adoption while minimizing ecological impacts.
Jessie and the AU Soil Judging Team at the 2019 National Competition in San Luis Obispo, CA. (Photo Credit: Jessie Curl)
Another big part of my role at the AUWRC is organizing the Alabama Water Resources Conference (ALWRC) each September. This event brings together over 350 professionals from across the Southeast, and I have the privilege of leading the planning efforts, coordinating speakers, managing the budget, and making sure everything runs smoothly. It’s a huge job, but also one of the most rewarding things I do, and allows us to highlight research and applied work from across the state, helping shape conversations around Alabama’s water future.
At the end of the day, my work is all about connecting people, whether it’s researchers, agency partners, or community members, with the knowledge and resources they need to be good stewards of Alabama’s water.
Jessie and Eve Brantley checking out a creek for critters. (Photo Credit: AU College of Agriculture)
What upcoming outreach activities and projects do you have planned?
This is such an exciting time for the Water Resources Center! We’re continually building new partnerships across the region, which is opening the door to some really meaningful projects. One area I’m especially excited about is expanding my work with neighboring well water programs in states like Virginia, Texas, Georgia, and Mississippi. I love connecting with my counterparts in other states, swapping stories, and learning from their experiences- it’s been such a valuable source of mentorship for me. In the coming months, we’ll be developing water quality fact sheets for Appalachian counties in collaboration with the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. I’m also part of a project aimed at helping home food entrepreneurs understand and apply food safety practices, particularly when well water is used in crop production.
And of course, I’m always looking ahead to the Alabama Water Resources Conference. Event planning is one of my favorite parts of the job, from shaping the program to managing the details. One tradition I especially love is choosing the “aquatic critter” that gets featured on the cover each year. It’s a small touch, but one that makes the event feel uniquely ours!
Jessie and Emily Ward, AUWRC Student Intern & Jessie’s mentee of 2024. (Photo Credit: Emily Ward)
Word on the street is that you’re back in school. Tell us about this!
I like to keep myself busy! I’m currently working on my MS degree under the advisement of Dr. Matthew Waters in Auburn’s Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences. My research looks at the connections between land management and aquatic environments using paleo-environmental techniques. In other words, I study estuarine and wetland sediment records to see how these ecosystems have responded to land use changes over time.
What I love about this work is how much you can uncover from just a few cores of mud. Each layer tells part of a story, and piecing it together feels a little like being an archaeologist. We are tracking down historical events and linking them to shifts in the environment, all while using mud! Ultimately, my goal is for this research to support more informed land management strategies and strengthen the long-term resilience of aquatic systems.
Jessie and Ben Webster collecting a sediment core from Weeks Bay for her Master’s work. (Photo credit: Jessie Curl)
What is the best advice you have been given in your career?
I’ve been so fortunate to have incredible mentors throughout my career, and I learn something new from my colleagues every day! Two pieces of advice, in particular, have really stayed with me.
The first comes from my advisor, Dr. Matt Waters, who opens each semester of his Aquatic Sediments course with a quote originally shared by Dr. Emily Bernhardt: “Everyone here is smart. Distinguish yourself by being kind.” I’m grateful to work with a team that truly values kindness and respect in all of our interactions—whether it’s with clients, partners, or community members. Leading with kindness creates space for collaboration and helps everyone feel comfortable sharing ideas. I am also so grateful to Matt for planting this quote into my brain, and he certainly leads our lab with kindness and respect on his mind. I am very lucky to have an advisor who can be such a profound influence on my life.
The second comes from my officemate, Laura Cooley. Early in my career, I was nervous about meeting with large groups and presenting to important partners. She told me, “You are just as important as everyone else. You can take people’s time. You’re helping people, and you have a seat at the table.” That reminder helped me build confidence and see that my work (and my voice) belong in the conversation.
Both pieces of advice continue to guide me: lead with kindness, and don’t be afraid to take up space.
What is your favorite critter and why?
I absolutely love cedar waxwings. When I’m not at work, you can usually find me outside birding, biking, or hiking, and my favorite time of year is when the trees are full of these little, singing birds. I’m fascinated by how they move together in big, swirling flocks and perch shoulder-to-shoulder in the trees, almost making it look like the tree is full of leaves until you realize – it’s all birds! Their song is a symphony of tiny whistles and is so distinctive. Plus, they always look like they are dressed to attend a fancy event. Watching them swoop down to snag serviceberries in the spring never fails to make me smile. They are really fun to watch.
Birdwatching has become one of my favorite hobbies because it reminds me to slow down. Plus, it’s such a wonderful way to connect with people who share that same love for the outdoors and all the life it holds.
Jessie looking for some new birds while in Oregon. (Photo credit: Jessie Curl)
To get in touch with Jessie, email jcurl@auburn.edu.