 | SUSTAINING THE FLOW A newsletter for organizational partners of the Alabama Rivers Alliance Welcome to the April monthly newsletter from Alabama Rivers Alliance to our partner groups and organizations! This newsletter's purpose is to help us all sustain the flow, & keep moving forward together in our respective work in Alabama. Open us up this month to read about upcoming events, training sessions, job postings and more news from folks working to #DefendRivers across the state. Click here to update your organization contact info or to sign others up! | | | |  | REGULATORY NEWS & COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES Relevant environmental regulatory updates & opportunities to agencies to let them know how their decision can impact your work. HARRIS HYDROPOWER - 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION APPLICATION TO ADEM Alabama Power has applied to ADEM for its 401 Water Quality Certification as necessary under the Clean Water Act as a part of its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing application. This is another opportunity in the FERC licensing process for Harris to advocate the health of the Tallapoosa River and the wildlife that depend on its flowing waters downstream of Harris dam! Comments are due to ADEM by 5 pm on May 3, 2023. More information and 401 application available here. POTUS SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REVITALIZE COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR ALL President Biden & Vice President Harris affirmed their belief that every person has a right to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live in a healthy community – now and into the future with this new Executive Order. This Executive Order included the publication of a EJ Scorecard for federal agencies making efforts to secure environmental justice, launching the White House Campaign for Environmental Justice, and a draft EPA strategy for preventing plastic pollution. Read more here. | | | | | |  | AROUND THE ARA OFFICE -
The Policy Team has spent many an hour in Montgomery this month advocating for The SHOR Act! There have been wild pendulum swings of excitement as the bill makes its way through the legislative process. Stay tuned to all ARA emails for how you and your organization can help ARA, Coosa Riverkeeper and Conservation Alabama pass SB 105 / HB 297! -
There has been a ton of clicking and clacking as the Comms Team has been full tilt with amplifying the SHOR Act, Rivers of Alabama Day, partner events across the state, Earth Day activities, SE screening in Gadsden, Crawfish Bash and so much more! Annnnnd, we have begun interviews for the next class of Southern Exposure fellows and can't wait for you to meet this talented class of filmmakers. -
The Alliance Team may be contested for most staff miles driven this month! From reaching out and participating with partners during our Lobby Day, to joining the Friends of the Alabama River on their first learning adventure, to celebrating the announcement of Huntsville's Environmental Sustainability Committee, Martha has been busy and on the move! -
The Advocacy Team has been ruminating on strategies and priorities for improving everyday Alabamians' access to water infrastructure through funding this month. Victoria was selected to participate in River Network's State Revolving Fund Advocacy Training Series, where she is taking a deep dive into the SRF process and exploring avenues for advocacy! | | | | | |  | PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS FROM ACROSS ALABAMA Amplifying the voices of those working for change in Alabama by celebrating news, wins of all sizes, milestones, AND ways others could use support! Submit your news so we can celebrate you! - This Earth Day Cahaba Riverkeeper, the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge Friends Group, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service celebrated the unveiling of plans to reclaim a mine and return the landscape to the Cahaba River! Read more here.
- Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Tennessee Riverkeeper join a lawsuit suing EPA over unregulated water pollution from oil refineries, plastics plants, and other industries. Click here to read more.
- Swim Guide is about to be in full swing! Keep up with Swim Guide alerts on a swimming hole near you: Coosa Swim Guide, Cahaba Swim Guide, Mobile Baykeeper SWIM program, Choctawhatchee Swim Guide, and Alabama Water Watch results for everywhere in between!
- Welcome new partners to the block: Friends of the Tallapoosa River! This group is setting out to protect, restore, conserve, and promote the sustainable use of the Tallapoosa River Watershed. Click here to get involved!
- Birmingham folks: Head out to the 10th Annual Darter Fest on Sunday, May 7! Join the Southern Environmental Center and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve at Avondale Brewing Co for music, fun, and food! Event details here, tickets are only $10!
- The Huntsville Environmental Coalition (HEC) has been working hard the past year with Mayor Battle to create the Huntsville Environmental Sustainability Committee, which will provide an actionable program for moving forward with communitywide sustainability efforts. Read more about this here.
- Keep your camera at the ready in Blount County this spring in anticipation of the Friends of the Locust Fork River's 2023 Art, Photo & Video Contest! Submission details here, deadline is June 30th!
- New to the alliance, the Friends of the Alabama River hosted their first learning adventure in April! They visited an early green infrastructure project with City employees and learned more about how these green stormwater parks can be part of the solution if managed correctly.
This newsletter is created by a small team with limited resources, please use reply to this email or click below to email Victoria if you want submit newsletter items from your organization! | | | | | | | | FUNDING | LEARNING | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | | FUNDING OPPORTUNTIES - Are you familiar with your local Community Foundation? These charities distribute funding through separate, often named funds established by local donors or businesses and differ from private family foundations. Several serve the most rural parts of AL!
- The National Forest Foundation has opened their 2023 Matching Awards Program for work benefiting National Forests nationwide. 1 to 1 match available for projects starting this fall, learn more
- Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama is offering to advance leadership development & training through the Summit Grant, pre-application due 5/15
| | | EMPLOYMENT & INTERNSHIPS - Groundworks Projects is hiring a Programs & Strategy Fellow to support its grants program and internal operations in facilitating Organizer Grants across AL, MS, OK, & WV
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Coosa Riverkeeper is hiring a part-time Bookkeeper & Office Administrator and AmeriCorps positions, learn more -
Montgomery Office of the USGS Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center (LMGWSC) has ongoing water-quality & surface water hydrology programs that require assistance with lab & field work. Further info: Email Amy Gill with subject line Student Contract Position - Alabama Audubon is hiring a Black Belt Coordinator, application deadline is 5/15
| | | | | | Alabama Rivers Alliance
2014 6th Avenue North, Suite 200 | Birmingham, Alabama 35203
205.322.6395 | info@alabamarivers.org | | | | | | | | | | | |
