While taking time recently to set goals for the coming years, we also felt it was important to reflect on our accomplishments in 2009. We have more than enough reason to “toot our own horn;” however, doing so entails that we continue with enthusiasm and determination to represent, promote, and live our mission in 2010. A look back on our accomplishments also reveals to us where there is room for improvement. Therefore, we would like to share with you our accomplishments for 2009 with the promise that we will continue in 2010 to strive to provide you, the citizens, a means to protect the beauty, health, and heritage of the Mobile Bay watershed. 

Last year we had our largest race ever, with 627 racers from 37 different states and the help of 115 volunteers. We also welcomed our friends, the Gulf Coast Area Triathletes, as an additional host and beneficiary to the race. Goal for 2010 -- 800 racers and 150 volunteers! Help us spread the word about this fantastic event that also benefits two other amazing non-profit organizations, the Baldwin County Trailblazers and Camp Rap-A-Hope.

 

In addition to membership and fundraisers, Mobile Baykeeper relies heavily on grants from generous foundations. Our accomplishments in 2009 would not have been possible without grants received from these foundations:

                Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation

The Crampton Trust

Sybil H. Smith Charitable Trust

Corporation for National and Community Service – AmeriCorps VISTA

 

In 2009, we welcomed four new board members – Chris Fuchs of Mobile, Tommy Lightcap of Mobile, Maria Gwynn of Fairhope, and Ray Mayhall of Fowl River. 

 

Keeping up with the happenings at Mobile Baykeeper is now easier than ever before. Our new website designed by the wonderfully creative minds at ThinkShout  and our Facebook and Twitter accounts have dramatically improved our ability to communicate with our members and supporters. Furthermore, we have added an e-newsletter that will be distributed monthly. You can subscribe to it by clicking here.

 

In addition to our Weeks Bay Chapter, last year we welcomed a group of concerned citizens who were eager to form a Fowl River Chapter of Mobile Baykeeper. The group consists of residents of south Mobile County living within the Fowl River watershed. These residents initially came together to discuss concerns related to proposed developments and other construction activities that posed negative impacts on Fowl River.  Local residents have always helped Mobile Baykeeper keep a close eye on the area by addressing issues ranging from new and growing chemical plants to on and off shore LNG terminals. Today there are new concerns, and the very active community members have worked diligently to insist upon planned and responsible development. With the addition of city sewer, the possibilities for growth are abundant, and there is an even greater need to carefully plan for that growth. You can donate directly to the Fowl River Chapter on our website.

 

We partnered with the Alabama Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the US Fish & Wildlife Service to save the Mobile-Tensaw Delta from this invasive species. Although there is still work to do in 2010, volunteer efforts this past fall were successful in reducing the population and we are now aware that this invasive species is a threat to our local waterways. Check our website often for volunteer opportunities.

 

As a member of the ADEM Reform Coalition (ARC), we have joined forces with other member organizations to make our voices heard when it comes to the appointment of a new director of ADEM. We have compiled a criteria list for the new director which focuses on positive change within ADEM in the areas of leadership, enforcement, public participation, and resources.

 

After ten years, we reached a settlement with ALDOT. Enough said. You can read more about the settlement on our website and in a previous blog.

 

After many long years of fighting against an onshore or open loop LNG terminal endangering our area and local fisheries, this year TORP LNG came forward with a proposed terminal using a “closed loop” ambient air technology system. This new technology, favored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, addresses Mobile Baykeeper’s concerns. This long battle proved that if we work together as a community to protect our waterways, we can successfully attract new business to our area without threatening our natural resources.

 

Tackling the number one cause of water pollution in the United States is going to take some time, but we are extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish this past year. We partnered with 14 agencies to form the Alabama Stormwater Partnership, which is working together to reduce stormwater runoff in Alabama. The majority of our time at Baykeeper has been geared toward developing our new stormwater education program, Muddy Water Watch. We are on the brink of launching this program statewide and excited to bring an engaging volunteer opportunity to our community. www.muddywaterwatch.org