 | SUSTAINING THE FLOW Happy Fall, Y'all! Thank you for subscribing to ARA's partner newsletter, featuring highlights from our 100+ partners and organizations around our network to help keep us collaborating, informed and engaged. Read through for comment opportunities, events, partner highlights, and updates from the ARA team; along with funding, training, and hiring opportunities. See past editions of the newsletter here. |
| | Hi ARA partners and friends! The new Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Edward Poolos, officially started in August, and we are excited to announce that the Alabama Rivers Alliance is hosting an informal Meet & Greet lunch with him at our office in Birmingham on Friday, October 24 from 11:30 to 12:30. Director Poolos was formerly the Deputy Director for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and has also previously worked at ADEM in the North Alabama Field Office. As we all know, ADEM plays a huge role in how effectively our environmental laws and regulations are implemented and enforced. Building relationships with agency staff is as important as building relationships with elected officials, and we are pleased that Director Poolos is taking this time to meet with our staff and our Alliance partners. Lunch will be provided by ARA so please RSVP here if you plan to attend. Please let us know by October 20 if you can join us! |
|  | FEDERAL AND REGULATORY NEWS / COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES ADEM'S REVISIONS ON DIVISION 1 AND 14 RULES The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) will hold a public hearing on October 7, 2025 to consider proposed revisions to Division 335-1 (General Administration) and 335-14 (Hazardous Waste Program) of the ADEM Administrative Code. Revisions to Division 1 will modify forms and schedules for implementation of future rules, and revisions to Division 14 will codify several Hazardous Waste Programs with federal rules (including Coal Combustion Residuals, Waste Pharmaceuticals, Solid Waste, and more). See the public notice and instructions on how to submit comments here. THE PERMIT ACT The PERMIT Act, or “Permission to Pollute Act”, removes the EPA’s authority to block dangerous projects, limits the rights of states and tribes to protect their own waters, shields polluters from being held accountable, and opens the door to unchecked pollution. This bill undermines the Clean Water Act and puts polluter profits ahead of reducing water pollution and protecting health and the environment. Click here to tell your representatives to VOTE NO on the Permit Act when they are back in session. Stay tuned as we will share this action alert and other ways to take action once Congress is back in session. |
| |
|
|  | WATER WE UP TO? Charles met in Huntsville with representatives from Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Mexico, Brazil, Malawi, and Nepal to discuss water policy and drought mitigation in the US and in their nations. These visitors were brought to the U.S. by Global Ties Alabama, a citizen diplomacy initiative. V and the Alabama Cohort of the Southern States SRF Project feel bittersweet as they wrap up their three-year project focusing on water infrastructure and State Revolving Fund advocacy. ARA + BlackBelt Women Rising, Southern Poverty Law Center & The Capacity Collaborative have worked intensely to advocate for communities that need water funding, collaborate with ADEM and technical assistance providers, & raise the issue of water infrastructure funding with elected officials. Cindy has been facilitating a statewide coalition of partners to organize against multiple methane gas pipeline projects that will cross 11 counties in Alabama. She is working with State Senator Robert Stewart and partners to host a public information meeting in Selma on Sept 30 for concerned landowners and impacted communities in Dallas County. More public meetings will be announced soon! Kelly is still basking in the glow of a super successful premiere of the new Southern Exposure Films! It was standing room only at Altamont with 400 people from across the region learning about data centers, quarries, salamanders, and the special people of the Tallapoosa River. To see the program from the event, click here. To watch the new films, click here. To see the films near you, click here. Want to bring the films to your community? Let Kelly know! Jack has been serving on the organizing committee for the 2nd annual Southeastern Public Interest Environmental Law (“SPIEL”) conference at University of the South at Sewanee, TN. SPIEL 2025 brings together public interest environmental lawyers, grassroots advocates, scientists, academics, students, and other supporters of our movement for a weekend of in-depth learning, networking, strategizing, and fun. Click here to learn more + register. And, guess what, the new Southern Exposure Films will be there too! Martha has been on medical leave, but that hasn't stopped her from continuing to talk with partners and members across the state about issues impacting their waterways! She'll be back on the roads soon. |
|
|
| | | PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS FROM ACROSS ALABAMA Amplifying the voices of river defenders in Alabama by celebrating news, wins of all sizes, milestones and ways others could use support. Submit your news so we can share! - IT FINALLY HAPPENED! The Cahaba River Society and Cahaba Riverkeeper are now one! The two awesome groups have merged to form Cahaba River Coalition, a unified organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the Cahaba River and its watershed. The new organization will leverage science, conservation and community engagement to monitor river health, share trusted information with the public and encourage sustainable development in partnership with local leaders. More info here.
- With our partners at Citizens Climate Lobby, ARA, Energy Alabama, and others were thrilled that Birmingham's Mayor and City Council declared September 21 as Sun Day, celebrating solar's role in a cleaner, more resilient future. See Councilor Hunter Williams's post about it here.
- HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Coosa Riverkeeper for celebrating 15 years of patrolling, educating about and advocating for the mighty Coosa River! Stay tuned for ways you can join the festivities.
- River Hero Carletta Davis won her election for Mayor of Prichard! We have been honored to work with her on water issues in her community and beyond over the last few years. Hear her story in Forces of Nature here.
- Catch up with Alabama Arise and one of their most successful years at the State House! Read their 2025 Annual Report here.
- Southern Environmental Law Center filed notice they will appeal the decision to dismiss their case seeking to reverse the cancellation of the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant Program. Read more about the next developments in this case from Inside Climate News here.
- Alabama Cup Races president (and ARA Board member!) Tony Diliberto, was recently featured by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for his love of Alabama State Parks. Read more about the special camping trips he offers here.
- Taken any good photos of the Gulf Coast this year? Submit them to South Alabama Land Trust's annual Photo Contest! See guidelines here.
- Alabama Water Watch announced their 2026 dates for Bacteriological and Water Chemistry Monitoring Trainings happening across the state. Click here to find one near you or to share with your members and volunteers.
- Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources released their draft 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan for prioritizing threatened and endangered species. Read the report and see what species ADCNR is prioritizing here.
- Environmental Education Association of Alabama (EEAA) and the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEA) are seeking proposals and presentations for their 2026 conference.
Please reply to this email or click below to submit newsletter items from your organization. We'd love to share your news with our 100+ partners across the region! |
| | |
|
| FUNDING | LEARNING | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES |
| FUNDING OPPORTUNTIES - NEED FUNDS FAST?! Alabama Beer Company + ARA's DRIFT Fund is set up for financial assistance for projects and applications are open!
- The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation has grants for environmental protection activities ranging from $1,000 - $20,000. Click here to learn more + apply by November 10.
- The Lawrence Foundation offers grants to environmental or wildlife protection programs. Applications are due by October 31.
- Athletic Brewing Company Two for the Trails Grants are available for waterway protection and overall environmental preservation. Deadline October 8.
|
|
|
TRAINING & LEARNING - Join the JustFund for a webinar on October 7 "Building Lasting Connections: Effective Donor Relationship Strategies for Nonprofits"
- The Nonprofit Legal Defense Network is here to help your organization with 501(c)3/4 compliance, learn more
- MobilizeGreen is offering 6 week Fall 2025 Professional Development Programs.
- SAVE THE DATE: Alabama Water Rally is set for March 20-22 and will be one of the first opportunities to check out the brand new ELEVATION Hotel in Montgomery!
|
|
|
|
|
| Alabama Rivers Alliance
4439 5th Avenue South Suite 1000 | Birmingham, Alabama 35222
205.322.6395 | [email protected] |
| | |
|
| |
|
|
