by Whitney Henson
The Jacksonville River Monitors met last Saturday to test their local streams and celebrate three years of dedicated students working to make a positive impact on their community.
JSU students monitoring water chemistry of a local stream on their third anniversary.
Since January, 2014, The Jacksonville River Monitors have met every month to test their three sites, and offered more than 10 workshops to certify more than 70 students and local citizens. We had an amazing turnout Saturday to celebrate how far we have come in the past three years. Alabama Water Watch Association Vice President, Michael Freeman, and a newly trained AWW monitor from the Auburn area also attended the event to talk with our students about the huge impact we are making in not only our community, but across the state.
Water monitoring is exciting!!
Our organization can be used as a template for other environmental organizations in four-year universities to help recruit young professionals and start a new era of environmental education and protection.
Stephen Tsikalas, JSU faculty, conducting dissolved oxygen test with JSU student and JRM monitor. Stephen utilizes AWW water monitoring in his curriculum to expose students to real-world, beyond-the-classroom experiences to enhance their professional development.
Michael presented The Jacksonville River Monitors with a Certificate of Appreciation and a Thank You letter signed by the AWW staff.
JRM water monitor and certified AWW trainer, Whitney Henson showing of the JRM’s Certificate of Appreciation
We are so grateful to be a part of such an amazing community and look forward to the many opportunities ahead!
JRM receiving AWW Certificate of Appreciation from AWWA Vice-president Michael Freeman
Check us out at: www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleRiverMonitors