It’s been a busy fall for AWW Staff and Volunteer Trainers. AWW Staff conducted Water Chemistry and Bacteriological Field Days in Enterprise in partnership with Alabama Watershed Stewards (AWS) on September 30 and at Cheaha State Park the following week on October 7.  

Enterprise Training

AWW Staffers Mona and Sydney along with Alabama Watershed Stewards Coordinator Laura Bell, trained a small but mighty group of volunteers at Enterprise State Community College. We conducted practices at nearby Donaldson Park and were joined by dozens of geese! 

Dozens of geese were great company. Photo credit: Mona Dominguez 

Choctawhatchee Riverkeeper Michael Mullen and his intern Samantha conduct water chemistry tests. Photo Credit: Mona Dominguez 

Laura gave a presentation during lunch to encourage volunteers to get involved through Alabama Watershed Stewards. AWS provided monitoring materials for volunteers in the area. 

Laura gives a presentation about Alabama Watershed Stewards. Photo Credit: Mona Dominguez 

Laura counts bacteria colonies with volunteers. Photo credit: Mona Dominguez 

We had a quick visit from ESCC President, Danny Long, who encouraged us to come back for more workshops, so we will definitively plan to be back in the area! 

Cheaha Training

Staff were back at it again at Cheaha State Park for another Water Chemistry and Bacteriological Monitoring Training.  

Sergio kicks of bacteriological monitoring in the Cheaha Interpretive Center Classroom. Photo credit: Sydney Zinner 

Educators Amanda and Christina measure water temperature on Cheaha Lake. Photo credit: Sydney Zinner 

Meg with Wild Alabama and AU Student Ashlyn practice water chemistry monitoring at Cheaha Lake. Photo credit: Sydney Zinner 

Participants included staff from Wild Alabama, The University of Montevallo, and ACES, along with several high school teachers, university students, and members of lake groups. 

Sergio kicks off water chemistry monitoring on Cheaha Lake. Photo credit: Sydney Zinner