{"id":65668,"date":"2025-09-30T18:50:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T18:50:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/?p=65668"},"modified":"2025-09-30T19:06:45","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T19:06:45","slug":"the-2025-alwrc-a-hub-for-water-research-policy-and-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/the-2025-alwrc-a-hub-for-water-research-policy-and-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2025 ALWRC: A Hub for Water Research, Policy, and Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXW33068124 BCX4\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33068124 BCX4\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"paragraph\" data-ccp-parastyle-defn=\"{&quot;ObjectId&quot;:&quot;a1163b39-33c0-447e-9e6e-95344f8b9cc8|225&quot;,&quot;ClassId&quot;:1073872969,&quot;Properties&quot;:[469775450,&quot;paragraph&quot;,201340122,&quot;2&quot;,134233614,&quot;true&quot;,469778129,&quot;paragraph&quot;,335572020,&quot;1&quot;,469777841,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777842,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777843,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777844,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469769226,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,134233118,&quot;true&quot;,134233117,&quot;true&quot;,469778324,&quot;Normal&quot;]}\">The 2025 <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW33068124 BCX4\" href=\"https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/extension-outreach2\/annual-alabama-water-resources-conference\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"color: #000000\"><span data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW33068124 BCX4\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33068124 BCX4\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Alabama Water Resources Conference (ALWRC)<\/span><\/span><\/a>, held September 3-5 at the Perdido Beach Resort, <span data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXW33068124 BCX4\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33068124 BCX4\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"normaltextrun\" data-ccp-charstyle-defn=\"{&quot;ObjectId&quot;:&quot;a1163b39-33c0-447e-9e6e-95344f8b9cc8|226&quot;,&quot;ClassId&quot;:1073872969,&quot;Properties&quot;:[469775450,&quot;normaltextrun&quot;,201340122,&quot;1&quot;,134233614,&quot;true&quot;,469778129,&quot;normaltextrun&quot;,335572020,&quot;1&quot;,469778324,&quot;Default Paragraph Font&quot;]}\"> once again reached full capacity, underscoring its reputation as one of the most impactful water resource forums in the Southeast. Organized by the Auburn University Water Resources Center (AUWRC), in collaboration with the Alabama Section of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and a multi-agency planning committee, the conference continues to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and innovation in water research, policy, and management.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXW33068124 BCX4\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW33068124 BCX4\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"normaltextrun\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #050000\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/Brenda_ALWRC-scaled.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Road Stream Crossing&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Brenda_ALWRC&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #000000\"><strong>Dr. Brenda Ortiz opened the 2025 Symposium with an overview of the use of Artificial Intelligence across different research groups in the Southeast. <\/strong><strong>Photo Credit: Carolina Ruiz, AUWRC<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #003366;font-size: x-large\">Symposium: Artificial Intelligence in Water Resources<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\">The conference opened with a symposium titled \u201c<em>Artificial Intelligence in Water Resources: From Research to Real-World Use,<\/em>\u201d. Dr. Brenda Ortiz (Auburn University), Andy Carroll (Skytec), Dr. Maheshwari Neelam (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center), and Dr. Jonathan Frame (The University of Alabama) delivered compelling presentations on how AI is transforming hydrologic modeling, wetland monitoring, and climate resilience planning.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #003366;font-size: x-large\">Conference Highlights<\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1491\" data-end=\"1939\"><span style=\"color: #000000\">Following the annual Seafood Social, attendees participated in two days of concurrent sessions covering topics such as stormwater, restoration, water quality, drought and climate, coastal issues, aquatic ecology, water law and policy, GIS, and the social sciences. Lightning talks, poster sessions, and interactive panels encouraged dynamic exchanges between researchers, industry representatives, state and federal agency partners, and students.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1941\" data-end=\"1990\"><span style=\"color: #000000\">Keynote addresses further anchored the program:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1991\" data-end=\"2315\">\n<li data-start=\"1991\" data-end=\"2136\">\n<p data-start=\"1993\" data-end=\"2136\"><span style=\"color: #000000\"><strong data-start=\"1993\" data-end=\"2015\">COL Kelcey R. Shaw<\/strong>, Mobile District Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provided updates on ongoing projects in the Mobile District.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2137\" data-end=\"2315\">\n<p data-start=\"2139\" data-end=\"2315\"><span style=\"color: #000000\"><strong data-start=\"2139\" data-end=\"2155\">Katie Butler<\/strong>, Director of the Water Division, Region 4, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, shared priority areas and opportunities for EPA Region 4 in the years ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/Poster-Session-ALWRC-scaled.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Road Stream Crossing&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Poster Session ALWRC&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #000000\"><b>On Thursday afternoon, 26 students participated in a student poster competition and put their science communication skills to the test. Photo Credit: Kacey Watson, AU College of Agriculture<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #003366;font-size: x-large\">Student Engagement and Recognition<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\">Student participation remained a cornerstone of the conference. On Thursday afternoon, 26 students showcased their work during the poster competition, while others presented oral and lightning talks. The event offered students valuable opportunities to hone their science communication skills.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_3  et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light\">\n<div class=\"et_pb_text_inner\">\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000\">Oral Presentations<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000\">1st Place \u2013 Grace Kerr,<em> Auburn University\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000\">2nd Place\u00a0\u2013 Shaelyn Deal,\u00a0<em>The University of Alabama in Huntsville <\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000\">3rd Place Tie\u00a0\u2013 Brian Roche,\u00a0<em>Auburn University\u00a0 <\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000\">3rd Place Tie \u2013 Kathryn Perkins,\u00a0<em>Auburn University\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000\">Poster Presenters<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000\">1st Place \u2013 Ashmita Poudel,\u00a0<em>Auburn University\u00a0 <\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000\">2nd Place\u00a0\u2013 Indronil Sarkar,\u00a0<em>Auburn University <\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000\">3rd Place \u2013 Maryam Saeed,\u00a0<em>Auburn University\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000\">Lightning Talks<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000\">Winner\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Rachel Chai,\u00a0<em>The University of South Alabama\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/IMG_7237.jpeg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Checking Nets for Fish&#8221; title_text=&#8221;IMG_7237&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||13px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #000000\"><strong>Networking between speaker sessions. <\/strong><strong>Photo Credit: Jessie Curl, AUWRC<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #003366;font-size: x-large\">Looking Ahead<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\">The 2026 ALWRC will be held from September 9-11 at the Perdido Beach Resort. More information can be found at the Auburn University Water Resources Center webpage (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/\" style=\"color: #000000\">www.aaes.auburn.edu\/wrc\/<\/a>) and those interested can subscribe to the AUWRC newsletter for announcements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\"><i>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.<\/i>\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\">\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_social_media_follow _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=&#8221;facebook&#8221; 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