Adopt-a-stream, Vol. 12, no. 6 (Nov./Dec. 2005)

GEORGIA
Adopt-A-Stream
Volume 12, Number 6, November / December 2005
Emily Russell, Harold Harbert, and Mitch Russell, Editor

Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division

The Environmental Outreach Unit would like to welcome its newest member, Allison Hughes, as the Adopt-A-Stream State Coordinator! She brings a strong background in both science and education to Adopt-A-Stream, with a Masters Degree in Outdoor Education at Georgia College and a B.S. in Soil and Water Resources from the University of Georgia. Allison also has several years of experience coordinating outreach programs. We are all excited to have her skills on hand!

Streams and creeks crisscross Atlanta much like the many highways and roads leading in and out of urban communities. The watering of lawns, disposal of automotive waste, and the everyday use of plumbing in homes and businesses interject a variety of man-made and natural materials into local water systems. The Georgia Project WET Urban Watershed Curriculum was developed in partnership with the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management in an attempt to increase community awareness and encourage the participation of local schools and neighborhoods to address these and other critical water issues. After more than a year of writing, piloting and research, the Urban Watershed launched with a teacher workshop at A.D. Williams Elementary

School in Atlanta on September 2005. The curriculum models the City of Atlanta water systems but is appropriate for all metro schools
across the State of Georgia, grades 4 - 8.
Community members from schools, organizations and neighborhoods affected by water quality issues or concerns will find that the activities relate to real world learning. Using materials and activities that are a part of the highly acclaimed International Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide, participants will be challenged to research local watersheds, examine issues related to water quality, and become a proactive contributor to possible solutions. Students experiencing the curriculum will become wither stormwater or wastewater flowing to the Wastewater Treatment Facility, Combined

Sewer Overflow or arrive in a tunnel for storage while moving through combined and separated pipes. They will learn how water is used, cleaned and treated from the river to the river in an 18 station lab. They will also have an opportunity to learn how to read their home water meter to help conserve water resources.
Educators attending workshops will receive the Project WET (Water Education for Teachers)

Curriculum and Activity Guide and The Urban Watershed Curriculum as well as a wide variety of water education resources. On the back page is an announcement for a Project WET workshop December 1 & 2 at the new Georgia Aquarium.
For further information please contact Petey Giroux, Georgia Project WET Coordinator, at 404-675-1638 or petey_giroux@dnr.state.ga.us.

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It's time for our annual awards, so please consider nominating a person or group for one of the six awards listed below. The nomination process is simple; just send Georgia Adopt-A-Stream a short essay explaining why your nominee deserves the award. Remember to include the name of the person or group and the name of the award. The deadline is January 13th.
Volunteer of the Year This goes to the individual who has gone beyond the call of duty to protect Georgia's waterways and support the Adopt-A-Steam mission, giving their time and energy to improve our waterways.
Extraordinary Volunteer Watershed Effort Protection of our streams starts with the protection of our watersheds. Help us recognize the group that has accomplished the most to blur political boundaries and confront local issues by working in the watershed.
Red Flag Award Perseverance, environmental awareness, a keen understanding of water policy, and a desire to act when a problem is detected are the traits we are looking for in our Red Flag Award.
Outstanding Outreach and Partnership The first step in conservation is awareness. And awareness only happens through effective outreach efforts and partnerships. Nominate a group or person that has demonstrated skill in effectively organizing and educating others.
Adopt-A-Stream in Action: Video or Photography A photograph is worth a thousand words. Often times a photograph is all that's needed to identify a problem. Send us your exceptional images and a short justification.
Excellence In Data Collection Volunteer monitoring data can make a difference, but only if it's collected consistently and under a QAQC plan. Nominate an individual or group who has consistently collected quality data.

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The Adopt-A-Stream Watershed Awards honor the efforts of local government agencies working to improve Georgia's waterways through participation in the Adopt-A-Stream Program. Four potential winners will be selected from four categories based on the size of the local government. To submit an application for an Adopt-A-Stream Watershed Award, the applicant must describe in 3 pages how they have accomplished the four Adopt-A-Stream goals. Please go to the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream website at www.riversalive.org/aas.htm to download the award submission guidelines and application. All applications are due January 13th.

Adopt-A-Stream Calendar of Events
The following workshops, taught by certified AAS trainers, provide training in visual, biological and chemical
monitoring of streams. Teachers may receive 1 PLU credit for participating please go to the AAS website under
Teacher Corner for more details. Please call to register for a workshop.

What Chemical Chemical

Who Upper Etowah River Alliance UOWN AAS

When Nov 5 Dec 3

Where

To Register

Cherokee Co. 770-355-6477

Athens

706-542-7880

NOTE: Workshop times vary. Please call to get exact times and locations. Workshop information is updated weekly on our website at www.riversalive.org/aas.htm
QA/QC Recertification: All QA/QC volunteers must renew certification on a yearly basis. This can be accomplished by participating in the second half of our regular chemical or biological workshop. To register, please contact one of our scheduled workshops.

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EPA Environmental Education Grants This grants program supports environmental education projects that enhance the public's awareness, knowledge and skills to make informed decisions that affect environmental quality. Grants of $50,000 or less in federal funds are awarded in EPA's ten regional offices, and grants over $50,000 are awarded at EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Educational institutions, environmental and educational public agencies, and not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations are be eligible to apply. The deadline is November 23, 2005. For details, visit http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grantsols.html

North American Wetlands Conservation Act Small Grants The purpose of the 1989 North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), as amended, is to promote long-term conservation of North American wetland ecosystems, and the waterfowl and other migratory birds, fish and wildlife that depend upon such habitat. Principal conservation actions supported by NAWCA are acquisition, establishment, enhancement and restoration of wetlands and wetland-associated uplands. Applications are due December 2, 2005: http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/NAWCA/USsmallgrants.html

Call for Entries: Second Annual Outstanding Waterway Cleanup and Leadership Awards
This year there were approximately 90 attendees for the first annual Outstanding Waterway Cleanup and Leadership Awards. We are looking for more for 2006! The objective of the Rivers Alive Awards is to recognize the hard work and dedication of the individuals and groups who are protecting Georgia's waterways through their cleanups.
The Outstanding Waterway Cleanup Award was developed to acknowledge cleanup groups who have effectively partnered with their local community to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia's water resources. This is a competitive award and will be given in four different categories. The Leadership Award was established to recognize individuals and sponsors for their tremendous efforts and commitment to protecting Georgia's water resources. This award is nominationbased and will be awarded to one individual and one sponsor annually.
All applications are due December 1. Details on eligibility, submission guidelines, application process and the application forms can be found at www.riversalive.org. Direct questions to Mitch Russell at 404-675-1636 or mitch_russell@dnr.state.ga.us.

Georgia River Network Annual Conference and River Celebration Awards February 10-12, 2006 Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, Georgia
NALMS 15th Annual Southeast Lake & Watershed Management Conference
"Integrating Science, Technology and Citizens for Sustainable Lake and Watershed Environments" March 8-10, 2006 Historic Columbus Iron Works, Columbus, Georgia
"Green with EE: the Art, Science, and Business of Environmental Education" March 17-19, 2006 Simpsonwood Conference & Retreat Center, Norcross, Georgia
For more information on these conferences please go to www.riversalive.com/aas.htm.
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A Project WET Facilitator Workshop featuring the Urban Watershed Curriculum will be held December 1 & 2, 2005 at the new Georgia Aquarium! Participants will become certified to teach Project WET to other adults and will be asked to conduct one teacher workshop per year. The Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide, The Urban Watershed Supplement, a facilitator handbook, educational resources and lunch will be provided for a registration fee of $55.00. For further information please contact Monica Kilpatrick at 404-675-1762 or Petey Giroux at 404-675-1638.
The Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Newsletter is published six times per year. For more information about the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program or to contribute to the newsletter, call or write to: Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Environmental Protection Division 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101 Atlanta, GA 30354 (404) 675-1629 or 1636 www.riversalive.org/aas.htm
Printed on recycled paper