{"id":1041,"date":"2014-10-07T19:14:13","date_gmt":"2014-10-07T19:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.auburn.edu\/aww\/?p=1041"},"modified":"2021-02-16T22:28:48","modified_gmt":"2021-02-16T22:28:48","slug":"if-the-shu-fits-wear-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/if-the-shu-fits-wear-it\/","title":{"rendered":"If the SHU fits, wear it!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The name of the game in these days of tight-and-diminishing budgets is collaboration and partnerships. AWW recently learned of a major statewide effort to recover and restore \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>imperiled <\/span>threatened<\/span> and endangered aquatic species in streams throughout Alabama. The recently-formed Alabama Rivers and Streams Network (ARSN) is a coalition of several groups and dedicated individuals who are pooling resources and efforts to protect our rich aquatic biodiversity, which in many areas is suffering, \u00a0see <\/span>www.alh2o.org<\/span><\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"SHU1\"<\/p>\n

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Geological Survey of Alabama, has selected Alabama\u2019s low-hanging fruit \u2013 watersheds throughout the state with imperiled aquatic critters that have the best chance of being restored and preserved. These watersheds have been designated as Strategic Habitat Units (SHUs) and Strategic River Reach Units (SRRUs; to view a map of these 51 watersheds go to\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>www.alh2o.org\/interactive-map<\/span><\/span><\/a>). <\/span><\/p>\n

In meetings and discussions with ARSN members about the SHU effort, it was evident that Alabama Water Watch had similar goals and aspirations and a partnership would be mutually beneficial.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>The ARSN mission \u2013 <\/span>to study, manage, and develop our water resources in a scientific and comprehensive way to minimize their degradation, maximize their availability for all users, and restore and recover aquatic species<\/span><\/i> aligns closely with that of AWW – <\/span>to improve both water quality and water policy through citizen monitoring and action<\/span><\/i>. The AWW Program Office has already assisted ARSN in SHUs by providing valuable volunteer monitor water data from streams that had little-or-no other data.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why bother? One reason that immediately comes to mind is because we Alabamians are truly blessed! <\/span><\/p>\n