AAS April-June 2021 Newsletter

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April-June 2021 Newsletter
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IN THIS ISSUE: Welcome New AAS State Coordinator OUR2SWAMP Confluence 2022 Save the Date Program Updates Riffles Around Us
Welcome New Adopt-A-Stream State Coordinator, Cecilia Nachtmann

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We're excited to announce Cecilia Nachtmann as our new Adopt-A-Stream State Coordinator! A graduate of the University of Georgia Odum School of Ecology, Cecilia brings a strong water science background to our program. During her time as an AAS program assistant, she has already made significant contributions to the program; going forward, we know there is much more we can do to safeguard Georgia watersheds. Along with Bailey Crapps Sauls (yes, we're also excited to announce that Bailey is married!), we are once again fully staffed and ready for new adventures. You've probably already met Cecilia, but if not, send her a note and tell her welcome to the program! - Harold Harbert, Program Manager
I am incredib ly excited to jump into my new role as an Adopt-A-Stream State Coordinator! In my nearly two years working with AAS as a Program Assistant, I have met so many wonderful, passionate, and dedicated volunteers and trainers, all of whom care deeply ab out the health of Georgia's b eautiful and diverse waterways. I cannot wait to continue learning from their experiences and developing new connections and partnerships through this position. - Cecilia Nachtm ann

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OUR2SWAMP
Checo Coln-Gaud, Ph.D., Georgia Southern University

On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico and became the largest oil spill in the history of marine oil drilling. Eleven years later, the Gulf of Mexico is still recovering from the impacts of this disastrous event, and scientists and community members continue to gather data in an effort to understand the impacts of such a large-s cale water quality disaster on m arine life.

Fast forward to 2019, and mitigation funds from the Deepwater Horizon event have enabled middle and high school science teachers from across Georgia to be trained on Adopt-A-Stream protocols through Georgia Southern University's OUR2SWAMP (Okefenokee: Understanding Real-world Relevance Suwanee Watershed Assessment and Monitoring Project)*. In its first two years, OUR2SWAMP has provided Professional Development (PD) for over 40 middle and high school teachers across Georgia.

Our project team consists of Dr. Lacey Huffling, principal investigator and project manager, Dr. Heather Scott, co-principal investigator and curriculum manager, Dr. Checo Coln-Gaud, co-principal investigator, biology specialist, and AdoptA-Stream trainer, Dr. Shainaz Landge, co-principal investigator and chemistry specialist, Dr. Kania Greer, project evaluator, and Ms. Mary Thaler, project administrator. Dr. Missy Bennett, Emeritus Professor at Georgia Southern University, Mr. Chip Campbell, proprietor of Okefenokee Adventures, and Ms. Kathi Murray, Environmental Specialist at Okefenokee RESA/Okefenokee Swamp Park, served as consultants to the team.

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Program Onset
Year 1 commenced with 20 teachers and our project team spending a week in the Okefenokee Swamp at the Stephen C. Foster EcoLodge. All participants became Adopt-A-Stream certified, participated in birding and phenology community science projects, and explored the Okefenokee Swamp from three different entrances (Stephen C. Foster, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and Okefenokee Swamp Park).
Participants received classroom supplies to implement Adopt-A-Stream m onitoring, birding, and phenology studies into their curriculum s. Participants also learned how much of Georgia's water flows to and directly impacts the Gulf of Mexico. As such, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream sites allow us to connect how potential impacts on upstream water quality can further affect an already compromised system downstream. In fact, the blue line on the OUR2SWAMP logo (see above) highlights the water flowing from various Georgia watersheds that diverts to either the Gulf or to the Atlantic. Therefore, even our logo can be used to teach students about upstream impacts on downstream waterways.

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COVID-19 Restrictions
With the onset of COVID in Spring 2020, our team had to quickly adapt our plans for Summer 2020. The professional development activities were moved online to ensure the safety of our participants and to follow state and university guidelines. In total, 30 middle and high school teachers (10 returning from the first year and 20 new participants) joined us for our first fully online training.
Again, we provided opportunities for our participants to learn and practice AdoptA-Stream protocols. Dr. Checo Coln-Gaud worked closely with the Georgia AdoptA-Stream office to record videos of procedures, and he helped participants find local Adopt-A-Stream coordinators to certify them if they were interested. Modules on watersheds, birding, phenology, and chemical connections were also created, and participants were shipped classroom supplies to implement these activities and studies into their classrooms.
Though re-arranging our PD due to COVID-19 presented many challenges, one upside is the ability to offer an online PD series again this coming summer (2021) to returning participants. During this series, we will be working with our

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participants to map Georgia Adopt-A-Stream monitoring to the new Georgia science standards and to further develop curricula for their classrooms. As one participant shared with us, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream is providing students "opportunities to contribute to science and our community, which will maybe help pique their interest which in turn will help pique their families' and friends' interest in our local watershed."

*Disclaimer: This project was funded by a capacity building g rant from the Gulf Research Prog ram of the National Academies of Sciences, Eng ineering , and Medicine (#2000009821). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Gulf Research Prog ram or the National Academies of Sciences, Eng ineering , and M edicine.

Confluence 2022 will officially be taking place in-person on March 18th-20th, 2022 at Unicoi State Park! We are so excited to be able to hold an in-person conference once again and are looking forward to meeting and interacting with both new and returning attendees. We are in the process of reaching out to speakers and putting together a schedule for the event, so s tay tuned for more updates !
If you plan to attend the conference, you can reserve your room today at the Unicoi Lodge. Conference attendees can s tay at the Lodge for a reduced group rate and can book their s tay by calling the s taff at the Unicoi Lodge at 1-800-573-9659 and providing the code 09781. Additional lodging options can be found in Helen, GA. For more information about booking your stay, go to the

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Confluence Location and Lodgings page on the AAS website.

Regis tration opens February 2022.

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Program Updates
Intro to Adopt-A-Stream Lunch and Learn

Join us virtually on August 31st from 12-1pm for the Intro to AAS Lunch and Learn session! AAS staff will teach you about watersheds, non-point source pollution, and the m any ways to get involved in AAS. Bring a lunch and come ready to learn!
Register for the session here.
Upcoming Workshop Opportunities

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Get certified or recertified in an AAS monitoring program! While virtual options will still be available, in-person workshops are returning for those that feel comfortable attending. You can find workshop opportunities near you on the workshop calendar on the AAS website or contact us at AAS@dnr.ga.gov to set up a workshop in your area.

Welcome New Adopt-A-Stream Groups!
These groups monitored for the first time in April-June 2021. Welcome to the AAS team !

Ball Ground Streamers kecb Pike County Adopt-A-Stream DiHydrogen-Monoxide

Water is Life Keep Bartow Beautiful 1 NobleSix Pam Chinik

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Science for Georgia Scavenger Hunt to the Sea April 1-October 31, 2021
Virtual or various locations throughout the state
Georgia River Network Paddling Trips Various dates and locations throughout the year
Adopt-A-Stream Confluence 2022 Mar 18-20, 2022
Unicoi State Park and Lodge
Visit our online calendar for monitoring workshops and AAS events!
If you'd like to b ecome an AAS trainer, please contact the State Office for workshop inform ation.

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