Alabama Water Rally 2023

Alabama’s annual gathering of clean water advocates

March 24 – 26 | Camp Beckwith in Fairhope, AL

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.

With unprecedented federal investment in water and wastewater infrastructure and significant incentives for moving toward clean energy and transportation, the time is now to come together, get informed and plan for how we will act collectively to ensure Alabama’s communities and ecosystems are not left out of the conversation. How we embrace this opportunity and respond to the challenges in the next few years could mean the difference between making the enormous shift we need to address climate change or leaving the fate of impacted communities and ecosystems vulnerable to the continued status quo. Join ARA and our partners at Alabama Water Rally 2023 as we empower our movement with the tools and the allies to mobilize for this moment!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!

FULL AGENDA COMING SOON

Speakers & Workshops | Trainings & Mentor Sessions | Admin & Tech Help  | Art | Networking & Celebrations

WHAT TO EXPECT AT WATER RALLY 2023

A COSMIC WALK

Friday evening will be a true delight as we take a Cosmic Walk with Dr. Bill Deutsch and friends.

The story begins 14.6-billion-years ago with the big bang that kicked everything off!. Through the mesmerizing voice of Dr. Deutsch, we’ll visit the origin of the solar system, life, and advanced life all the way through the age of dinosaurs and humans. This interactive exploration through time will beautifully illustrate how we got to this moment and what’s at stake.

SESSION TOPICS & PLENARIES INCLUDE:

• Clean Water Act Manual Training: The Next 50 Years

• Fish Passage on the Alabama River

• Legislative Session: The SHOR Act (formerly A Fisher’s Right to Know)

• Stormwater 101

• Litter Gitter in your Community

• Dam Removal in Alabama

• Inflation Reduction Act: What it Means for Alabama

• Community Organizing and Trust Building

• Flooding and Green Infrastructure Funding

• Fundraising: Memberships, Events, Grants

• Connecting with College Students for Research and Advocacy

OTHER THINGS HAPPENING AT ALABAMA WATER RALLY:

• Shrimp Boil Supper with our friends at Litter Gitter!

• River Hero Awards are BACK!

• Mentor Sessions and Tech Help!

• Art Breaks!

• Networking aplenty!

• Music and possibly dancing!

SPEAKERS AND MENTORS INCLUDE:

Sherry Bradley (recently retired from Alabama Department of Public Heath and now leading Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program), Dr. Bill Deutsch (author), April Ingle (River Network), Justinn Overton (Coosa Riverkeeper and Waterkeepers Alabama), Don Bates (Litter Gitter), Sheree Martin (Energy Alabama), Jason Throneberry (The Nature Conservancy in Alabama), Bradley Davidson (Conservation Alabama), Beth Stewart and Ben Wegleitner (Cahaba River Society), Eric Reidy (ADEM), Portia Shepard (Black Belt Women Rising), Jean Cox (Friends of Pinchgut Creek), Karen Jones (To Whom It May Concern).  More coming soon!

ABOUT ALABAMA WATER RALLY

Alabama Water Rally is the annual gathering of Alabama’s network of water advocates and allies hosted by the Alabama Rivers Alliance. Water Rally is the premiere educational, networking and celebratory event for community and watershed-based organizations as well as individual Alabamians interested in #CleanWater and the protection of all our waterways. The conference moves to different regions of the state each year so that it is accessible to communities and groups from all parts of Alabama. In 2023, we gather down South at Camp Beckwith in beautiful Fairhope, Alabama.

Interested in sponsoring Alabama Water Rally 2023 and reaching an audience of engaged supporters throughout Alabama? Let us know! Email Kelly Marshall at kmarshall@alabamarivers.org to learn more!