 | SUSTAINING THE FLOW A newsletter for organizational partners of the Alabama Rivers Alliance Hope you all are enjoying the holiday & don't see this newsletter until the new year! Welcome to the December monthly newsletter from Alabama Rivers Alliance to our partner groups and organizations! This newsletter's purpose is to help us all wrap up 2022, sustain the flow, & keep moving forward together in our respective work in Alabama. Open us up this month to read about a new partner group, new funding sources, 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. CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE SCREENING TOOL The newly released "Climate & Environmental Justice Screening Tool" replaces the beta Justice40 mapping tool released earlier in 2022. Agencies will use this map to meet the Justice40 Initiative. The Justice40 Initiative seeks to deliver 40% of overall benefits of investments in climate, clean energy, and related areas to disadvantaged communities that are overburdened by pollution & underserved by infrastructure & other basic services. Explore the mapping tool & see how burdened Alabama is! ADEM ANNOUNCES UPDATES TO HAZARDOUS WASTE RULEMAKING ADEM announced revisions to their Hazardous Waste Program, described in section 335-14 of ADEM's Administrative Code, and a subsequent public hearing and opportunity for comments will be held. Revisions are to codify two federal rules by the EPA into state law. Hearing will be on January 24, 2023 and comments are due the same day. Learn more. OPEN MEETINGS ACT NOTIFICATION Sign up on the Secretary of State's Open Meetings Act website to get email notifications when public meeting are scheduled for all public boards, agencies, commissions, and other governmental bodies around Alabama. Sign up for just your local community meetings or the whole state. This is particularly useful for governmental bodies that may call meeting irregularly! Learn more. | | | | | |  | AROUND THE ARA OFFICE -
The ARA staff is excited to take a small break during the holidays to rest up for an exciting new year of Defending Rivers! We will hit the ground running in January with continued prep for the legislative session, Alabama Water Rally planning and finishing up our new strategic plan to be released in March! We are immensely grateful for all of our wonderful partners and thank you for your hard work and dedication to protecting Alabama's 132,000 of rivers and streams for the people and critters that depend on them! | | | | | |  | 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! - Join the Alabama Rivers Alliance at Camp Beckwith for Alabama Water Rally 2023, Alabama's annual gathering of clean water advocates! There is an incredible opportunity before us – as River Defenders – as we pass the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Together, we must be ready for the Next Era of Clean Water Protection and capitalize on this moment. Registration is open early for partners, register now - scholarships available, too!
- The Society for Freshwater Science has newly established a Southeast USA Chapter! They aim to foster exchange of scientific information about freshwater ecosystems and host annual events in 2023 to bring the regional group together. Follow them on Twitter @SE_SFS or on Instagram @SoutheastSFS.
- GASP and SELC, with the Jefferson County Board of Health, secured a historic penalty against Bluestone Coke, a longtime polluter in north Birmingham - the largest fine by JCDH ever. Read SELC's press release here. SELC was also recognized as GASP's Partner of the Year
- The Alabama Watershed Stewards Program released Save the Dates for their spring trainings in 2023. ACES & ADEM conduct these workshops to instruct citizens about their watershed & collaborate on ways to improve local watersheds. Scroll AWS's spring 2023 events.
- Coosa Riverkeeper released their most recent creel survey analysis focusing on anglers who eat fish from the Coosa River and how informed they are about fish consumption advisories. Read the blog & full analysis here.
- From the beginning of 2021 to the end of 2022, Wild Alabama has grown from two to SEVEN staff members! Congratulations to Maggie, Janice, Kim, Lindsay, Meg, Brittany, & Jonathan! Meet the team.
- Freshwater Land Trust's Executive Director will serve as one of 19 stakeholders on Innovate Alabama's Outdoor Recreation Advisory Roundtable to expand the state's outdoor recreation industry, attract a skilled workforce, and enhance the quality of life for Alabama residents. Read more.
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 - The Southeast Climate & Energy Network is searching for proposals to provide funds to relevant projects in water, land, energy, economy, labor, & democracy, learn more
- The National Wildlife Federation launched a new microsite database for nature-based funding solutions, explore funding options
- Ms. Foundation for Women, Ms. South supports leadership of Women & Girls of Color, deadline to apply 1/13/23
- If your organization ever needs advice about grant writing or just to brainstorm grant ideas, ARA staff is always happy to assist!
| | | | | | Alabama Rivers Alliance
2014 6th Avenue North, Suite 200 | Birmingham, Alabama 35203
205.322.6395 | info@alabamarivers.org | | | | | | | | | | | |
