conserving alabama's rivers

Alabama has 77,000 miles of streams and rivers : 

Alabama has 77,000 miles of streams and rivers Our rivers are the most beautiful in the nation. Kim Wesson

Alabama has 77,000 miles of streams and rivers with more types of plants and animals living in its fresh water than any other state in the nation. : 

Alabama has 77,000 miles of streams and rivers with more types of plants and animals living in its fresh water than any other state in the nation. “Did you catch that? More species of water plants and animals than any other state in the whole nation!” Kim Wesson

Our rivers start in the Appalachian mountains as streams and continue to flow and grow ……. : 

Our rivers start in the Appalachian mountains as streams and continue to flow and grow ……. Kim Wesson

….until they reach the beautiful Gulf Coast. : 

….until they reach the beautiful Gulf Coast. Rivers flow into oceans. Alabama’s rivers flow into the Gulf of Mexico. Kim Wesson rivers

Alabama Rivers have beautiful plant life……………. : 

Alabama Rivers have beautiful plant life……………. Kim Wesson Cahaba lilly ……….and also………

…….the Rivers of Alabama team with animal life……. : 

…….the Rivers of Alabama team with animal life……. Such as Mammals ..like the river otter…. Kim Wesson

…….Birds…………….. : 

…….Birds…………….. Such as egrets……. Kim Wesson

…..and of course fish! : 

…..and of course fish! Kim Wesson

RIVERS PROVIDE A MAJOR SOURCE OF RECREATION IN ALABAMA : 

RIVERS PROVIDE A MAJOR SOURCE OF RECREATION IN ALABAMA Our great freshwater resource, our 77,000 miles of rivers, makes our state beautiful, unique, and FUN! Sepulga River Styx River Kim Wesson

Our 77,000 miles of rivers have shaped the history of our state as they wind through our land. : 

Our 77,000 miles of rivers have shaped the history of our state as they wind through our land. Kim Wesson

Our rivers are such a part of our state identity they were placed on the Great Seal by Alabama’s first Governor, William Wyatt Bibb. : 

Our rivers are such a part of our state identity they were placed on the Great Seal by Alabama’s first Governor, William Wyatt Bibb. Kim Wesson

Conserving Alabama’s rivers is important to our citizens for several reasons. : 

Conserving Alabama’s rivers is important to our citizens for several reasons. Our rivers are important habitats. Our rivers are important ecosystems. Our rivers are important as part of our culture and heritage. Our rivers are important to maintain home and property values. Our rivers are important to our economy. Our rivers are important to recreation in this state.

Sadly, we have one of the highest extinction rates in North America. Many of our endangered species live in our rivers. Alabama’s precious water resources currently face many threats. : 

Sadly, we have one of the highest extinction rates in North America. Many of our endangered species live in our rivers. Alabama’s precious water resources currently face many threats. Kim Wesson

Water pollution can damage Alabama’s Rivers. : 

Water pollution can damage Alabama’s Rivers. Kim Wesson

Watersheds drain large areas. : 

Watersheds drain large areas. Water becomes increasingly polluted as it flows downstream. Pollutants collect as the river flows. Kim Wesson

Rivers of Alabama are a beautiful resource and need preserving. : 

Rivers of Alabama are a beautiful resource and need preserving. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is the state agency which works to preserve Alabama’s flowing freshwater ecosystems. Kim Wesson rivers

Rivers are important to our economy. : 

Rivers are important to our economy. Fishing is important to our economy. Commercial fisherman Wayne Moore hauls in a slat-box fish trap from Flint Creek, a tributary of the Tennessee River. (Photo: Anne Kimzey) Kim Wesson

Fishing contests provide fun and help businesses. : 

Fishing contests provide fun and help businesses. There are even fishing tournaments for children in Alabama! Kim Wesson

Another reason it is important to conserve our rivers because they are also a part of our history and culture. : 

Another reason it is important to conserve our rivers because they are also a part of our history and culture. The Coosa River is one example of a river which has been important to the exploration, settlement and history of our beautiful state. Kim Wesson

The Beautiful Coosa : 

The Beautiful Coosa The Coosa River is a tributary of the Alabama River in the U.S. states of Alabama and Georgia. The river is about 285 miles (459 km) long altogther Kim Wesson

The Coosa River starts in Rome Georgia and ends in Montgomery. : 

The Coosa River starts in Rome Georgia and ends in Montgomery. In Rome, Georgia, it begins where the Oostenaula and the Etowah River join and then flows to Montgomery to join with the Tallapoosa River to form the Alabama. Kim Wesson

The Coosa River was important to ancient Native American tribes in Alabama : 

The Coosa River was important to ancient Native American tribes in Alabama The Cherokee lived along the Coosa for millenia. It was important for navigation and travel; fishing; water; and irrigation. Kim Wesson

The Coosa River………. : 

The Coosa River………. The Cherokee capital city of New Echota was located on the headwater tributaries of the Coosa River, in Georgia, until the Cherokee removal. Kim Wesson

The Coosa River……….. : 

The Coosa River……….. The Coosa chiefdom was one of the most powerful chiefdoms in the southeast at the time. Kim Wesson

The Coosa River : 

The Coosa River Hernando de Soto and his men became the first Europeans to discover it in 1540 . They explored the Coosa River and encountered the Cherokee Indians of Alabama. Kim Wesson

The Coosa River : 

The Coosa River The Coosa River played an important role into the early 20th century as a commercial waterway for riverboats along the upper section of the river for 200 miles south of Rome. Kim Wesson

The Coosa River was important for travel. : 

The Coosa River was important for travel. Riverboats, barges, tugboats. Kim Wesson

Every area of Alabama has a river that plays a part of the area’s history. : 

Every area of Alabama has a river that plays a part of the area’s history. This is a map of the river basins that make up our state. Each has a unique story. Kim Wesson

Our State Parks play an important role in river conservation. : 

Our State Parks play an important role in river conservation. Blue Springs State Park Blue Springs State Park Kim Wesson

Alabama’s Forever Wild Program is another great conservation effort. : 

Alabama’s Forever Wild Program is another great conservation effort. This is a state effort. Kim Wesson

What is Forever Wild? : 

What is Forever Wild? The Forever Wild Program was established in 1992, by constitutional amendment, to provide for the purchase of public recreational lands. Kim Wesson

How can you help support the Forever Wild Program? Purchase a Forever Wild car tag and support the protection of Alabama’s natural heritage. : 

How can you help support the Forever Wild Program? Purchase a Forever Wild car tag and support the protection of Alabama’s natural heritage. Kim Wesson Kim Wesson

Alabama’s Forever Wild Program : 

Alabama’s Forever Wild Program Since its inception, the program has purchased lands for general recreation, nature preserves, additions to Wildlife Management Areas and state parks. Currently, the Board is focusing on acquisitions in central Alabama Kim Wesson

Private organizations have been formed to preserve Alabama Rivers. : 

Private organizations have been formed to preserve Alabama Rivers. Private organizations are not government agencies and are made of individuals acting independently. Kim Wesson

The Alabama Rivers Alliance is one example of private conservation efforts. : 

The Alabama Rivers Alliance is one example of private conservation efforts. The Alabama Rivers Alliance is privately funded and is not a government organization. Kim Wesson

THE ALABAMA RIVERS ALLIANCE : 

THE ALABAMA RIVERS ALLIANCE “What we do: Our purpose is to protect & restore Alabama's rivers. To do this, we advocate smart water policy, organize at the grassroots level, and teach citizens how they can protect their water. We are privately funded and accomplish our mission with the financial support of people like you. Our goal is to achieve healthy rivers, healthy people, and a healthy system of government for the state of Alabama. “ Kim Wesson

Alabama Rivers Alliance, cont. : 

Alabama Rivers Alliance, cont. Through its Healthy Watersheds Program the Rivers Alliance seeks the protection and restoration of Alabama’s watersheds to achieve improved water quality

The Alabama Rivers Alliance : 

The Alabama Rivers Alliance The Alliance strongly believes that water is a precious resource that must be shared wisely by upstream, downstream, and in-stream stakeholders. The Alliance seeks to protect and restore water quantity through sustainable water supplies, water withdrawal policies, in-stream flow policies Kim Wesson

The Alabama Rivers Alliance : 

The Alabama Rivers Alliance The Alabama Rivers Alliance works directly and in cooperation with local groups to protect clean, healthy waters. Kim Wesson

Slide 40: 

This is a National private organization that promotes education and conservation of species of fish. Kim Wesson

Slide 41: 

Conservation, education, grants, information to the public. Kim Wesson

North Alabama : 

North Alabama Flint River Conservation Association Protecting the Flint River in north Alabama and central Tennessee The Flint River watershed encompasses approximately 568 square miles or about 350,000 acres in Madison County, Alabama, and Lincoln County, Tennessee.

Flint River Conservation Association,Protecting the Flint River in north Alabama and central Tennessee is a private effort : 

Flint River Conservation Association,Protecting the Flint River in north Alabama and central Tennessee is a private effort Kim Wesson

About the Flint River : 

About the Flint River The Flint River Watershed is home to several species of rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals, including the slackwater darter (LT), Tuscumbia darter, southern cave fish, the eastern hellbender, the Alabama cave shrimp (LE), the tan riffleshell and fine rayed pigtoe (LE) mussels, Morefield’s leatherflower (LE), the Gray Bat (LE), Price’s potato bean (LT), Alabama snowwreath, limerock arrowwood, Cumberland rosinweed, dwarf trillium, and purple sedge. Kim Wesson

The State of Alabama works to conserve our freshwater resources : 

The State of Alabama works to conserve our freshwater resources Conservation efforts include: Tennessee River BasinCoosa River BasinCahaba River BasinBlack Warrior River BasinTombigbee River BasinAlabama River BasinChattahoochee River BasinConecuh River BasinChoctawhatchee River BasinTallapoosa River BasinYellow River BasinMobile River BasinEscatawpa River BasinBlackwater River BasinPerdido River Basin Kim Wesson

There are many such organizations which preserve our rivers. : 

There are many such organizations which preserve our rivers. Are you part of one? What can you do? Kim Wesson