STUDENTS On The WATCH

HOW SWAMP’S WATER - QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM FOSTERS A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD OUR WATERSHED

Through our Strategic Watershed Awareness and Monitoring Program (SWAMP), students from Vigor and Leflore high schools use Alabama Water Watch’s (AWW) EPA-approved methodology to monitor our waterways each month. We spoke with several of these students about what the program has taught them.

by CAINE O’REAR

RYKERRIA HOLYFIELD, VIGOR (SOPHOMORE)

“I learned about testing water and checking for temperature and cleanliness. I’ve learned about cleaning up the environment. I hate dirty areas. It’s changed my perspective on my community and what I want to do for a career as well. I really like just getting out and testing the water.”

TAYLOR NELSON, CITRONELLE HIGH SCHOOL (FRESHMAN)

“I’ve learned from SWAMP that different things affect our water quality, and that these things affect our economy as well as our environment.

TONIYAH HOPKINS, VIGOR (SOPHOMORE)

“My favorite part of SWAMP is looking at the alkalinity and turbidity of the water. And cleaning up the environment to make our community a better place. I also like working with Mobile Baykeeper because they teach us so many new things.”

WOODROW PATTON, VIGOR (SENIOR)

“It’s really fun to know about the waterways and how we can do better and remove the trash from the area for cleaner waters. I really enjoy this. And we get to go around and help the environment for the animals and our community. A lot of people don’t care about the communities. They go around and throw trash in the water. It’s bad for the animals and our health as well.”

AMBER COLEMAN, LEFLORE (JUNIOR)

“I’ve been doing it for two years. I love being out and seeing the difference between the waterways. I love being out in the field. I’ve become more aware. I now notice how much trash I see. We need to stop littering. I tell my classmates and friends this.”

GABRIELLE DENNIS, LEFLORE (JUNIOR)

“A lot of the waterways we’ve looked at have turtles and fish so we try to pick up as much trash as we can so it doesn’t hurt them. My favorite part is testing the waters. It allows us to compare and contrast the water quality at different times. It’s made me more aware of water quality and what I can do to prevent problems.”

ISAIAH TUNSTALL, VIGOR (SOPHOMORE)

“I’ve learned how to take water samples and how the water has changed through time. It’s changed my perspective. I’m noticing a lot more stuff happening, like seeing more dirt and trash in the waters.”

RAMANI MARTIN, VIGOR (SOPHOMORE)

“We’ve learned a lot of new things. I’ve enjoyed going to different spots and seeing the different types of water. I understand now that we need to protect our community and start picking up litter so it doesn’t go in our waters.”

Mobile Baykeeper’s SWAMP Program is made possible by the generous support of AM/NS Calvert.