Friday, March 20
noon – 6 pm – Registration and Check In to your rooms
2 – 4 pm – Data Center Deep Dive with Charles Miller (ARA) and Ryan Anderson (Southern Environmental Law Center)
Data centers are popping up all across the country, and most recently, right here in Alabama. So, what’s all the hype about? Join Charles Miller (Policy Director, Alabama Rivers Alliance) and Ryan Anderson (Staff Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center) to learn more about exactly what these centers are, their environmental impacts, and what to do if you find out there is a data center coming into your community. We will look at two specifics cases – Project Marvel in Bessemer, Alabama, and the Data Center Moratorium in Birmingham, Alabama, to highlight the importance of community organizing and the zoning process.
4:30 – 6 pm – “Take Me To The River” with Dr. Marcus Briggs-Cloud (Ekvn-Yefolecv), Phillip Howard (The Conservation Fund) and Dr. Bill Deutsch (author)
The Alabama River watershed has played a profound role in shaping both ecological, cultural, civic and economic history of, not only the Montgomery area, but the entire state. This powerful welcome panel will share their unique perspectives on this Alabama River journey as we discover how we are all connected to the mighty river’s past and present. This shared story brings us to where we are now, as we come together from all watersheds of the state to kick off the 29th annual Alabama Water Rally weekend!
6:30 – 9 ish – Super Fun Kick Off Sunset Party at Red Bluffs overlooking the Alabama River, hosted by City Councilor Andrew Szymanski and Experience Montgomery. (carpooling encouraged, designated drivers will be available as needed, walking possible)
Saturday, March 21
8 – 8:45 am – Breakfast
8:45 – 9:45 am – Catching our Breath from the 2026 Legislative Session with Luke Kiszla (Mobile Baykeeper), John Dodd (Energy Alabama) and Charles Miller (Alabama Rivers Alliance)
This has been a wild legislative session so far, huh!? SB 71 and HB 392 / SB 268, and PSC this and water quality that. Thousands of Alabamians were engaged in the legislative process from beginning to end over the past few months. Join the conservation lobbyists, Luke Kiszla (Mobile Baykeeper), John Dodd (Energy Alabama) and Charles Miller (Alabama Rivers Alliance), as they catch us up on what happened, when and how, and what we have planned for next year as we protect our water, land and air … together!
10 – 11 am BREAKOUT SESSIONS I
Alabama’s Energy Future with Energy Alabama and Jack West (ARA) and John Dodd (Energy Alabama) – MOUNTAINTOP I
Alabama’s current energy policies and energy sources have led to some of the highest rates in the nation and have resulted in decades of pollution of our air, land and water. Currently more than 80% of our water use in Alabama is for generating electricity from coal, gas and nuclear plants. Our state needs to take a hard look at how we are going meet energy demands for the future in a way that minimizes environmental and health harm while keeping energy bills affordable for all Alabamians. This is no easy task. This session will discuss key policy and planning efforts that can make a real difference toward creating the energy future we need.
The F Word: Fundraising for Advocacy with Jacob Smith (Alabama Arise) – MOUNTAINTOP II
The F-word we all dread the most. Sometimes fundraising around issues and advocacy can be frustrating and exhausting, but in this session we’ll walk through some basic steps to get you from dreading that part of the job to fully embracing it. We’ll talk about building relationships from that first interation to getting that first gift, and beyond.
Turning the Tide with Storytelling: Deep Canvassing with Julianne Tharp (GASP) – RISE I
With so many various ways to get to you know your members and communities like surveys, focus groups, polling and more, deep canvassing stands apart from the rest as you get to the hearts and minds of the people around you. Join this session with GASP’s Julianne Tharp to learn more about deep canvassing: what it is, how to do it, and why it is so important to our work.
Improving Water Quality: On the Ground Efforts to Reduce Nonpoint Source Pollution in the Alabama River Basin with Jennifer Barker (ADEM) – RISE II
Nonpoint source pollution remains one of the most significant threats to water quality in the Alabama River Basin. Unlike point source pollution, these diffuse sources—originating from stormwater runoff, agriculture, forestry, urban landscapes, and failing septic systems—are complex and challenging to manage.
This session will highlight ongoing nonpoint source pollution prevention efforts across the Alabama River Basin. Participants will learn about implementation projects in the area and the Section 319 grant funding.
11:15 am – 12:15 pm BREAKOUT SESSIONS II
Bridging Gaps to Healthy Water Infrastructure In Rural Alabama with Kathleen Kirkpatrick (Capacity Collaborative), Andre Ivey (Southern Poverty Law Center), Portia Shepard (BlackBelt Women Rising). Moderated by V Miller (Alabama Rivers Alliance) – MOUNTAINTOP I
Rural communities face persistent challenges in accessing safe, reliable water infrastructure. Recent generational funding opportunities revealed these challenges stem less from a lack of funding, and more from gaps in coordination, communication, and trust. Panelists will share their experiences building cross-sector partnerships among funders, utilities, communities, and technical assistance providers to move projects forward and deliver assistance for long-standing needs. These advocates united through the Southern SRF Project to tackle these gaps and advance towards healthier built and natural environments.
Mic Drop: Media Training for Advocacy with Terah Boyd (SELC) – MOUNTAINTOP II
Working with news media is powerful advocacy tool! Get insight on newsrooms and working with reporters of all types of outlets from a recovering journalist. Learn the basic skills you need to pitch stories and then to nail interviews like a pro.
Here Comes The Flow: Statewide Water Planning with Charles Miller (ARA), Bennett Bearden (Geological Survey of Alabama), and Greg Guthrie (Geological Survey of Alabama) – RISE I
You’ve heard us talk about an Alabama Water Plan for decades, but what does that really mean? This session will begin with a brief overview of how we got here, including the past efforts of the Alabama Water Agencies Working Group (AWAWG). We’ll then look at what is happening today to manage and monitor water use across the state by examining the roles of state agencies, current efforts, such as the implementation of the Drought Management Act and groundwater monitoring. Finally, we’ll bring us back to the battle cry you’ve heard us drum before: Alabama needs a comprehensive water plan to protect our rivers, streams, and all those who depend upon them. All that’s left is: HOW do we get there?
Eyes Wide Open with David Butler (Cahaba River Coalition) – RISE II
Join Cahaba River Coalition Co-Executive Director and Riverkeeper David Butler for a candid conversation about what he’s learned from years of working with industry to achieve the solutions CRC wants to see for the river. He’ll share lessons from the field about building unlikely partnerships, setting expectations, and compromise with eyes wide open to achieve better outcomes for our waterways .
12:15 – 1 pm – LUNCH
1 – 1:15 pm – Welcome from Montgomery City and County leaders
1:15 – 2:30 pm: KEYNOTE SPEAKER: ANTHONY DAVIS JR. (Groundwork Project) – Strategy, Solidarity, and the Power to Protect What Matters
With great change comes great opportunity. Anthony Davis, Jr. will share from his experience as a strategist and organizer how important it is to be strategic, organized, and to move in solidarity in this time of great change in our nation, our state and our communities. He will inspire us to channel our uncertainty into motivation to continue building the power we need to stand up for clean water, healthy communities and for each other!
3 – 4 pm BREAKOUT SESSIONS III
Staying Power: Designing Issue-Based Campaigns That Last and Bring The Next Generation In with Anthony Davis, Jr. (Groundwork Project) – MOUNTAINTOP I
Issue-based campaigns succeed when they are built with strategy, structure, and staying power, not just passion. In this breakout, we’ll walk through a practical framework for building clean water campaigns that are winnable, scalable, and sustainable over time.
1.) How to set clear campaign goals and choose the right targets
2.) What “power” looks like in issue-based organizing (and how to build it)
3.) How to move from awareness to action with supporters and decision-makers
4.) How to build campaigns that can last through 2026 and beyond
5.) How to genuinely engage young people as leaders, messengers, and organizers within issue fights
Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of what makes issue campaigns durable and how to align strategy, people, and infrastructure to protect Alabama’s rivers and communities for the long haul.
Working with Local Governments with Mayor Carletta Davis (Prichard), Commissioner Isaiah Sankey (Montgomery County Commission), and more. Moderated by Councilor Andrew Szymanski (Montgomery City Council) – MOUNTAINTOP II
Act Locally! Local government officials and leaders – City Council members, County Commissioners, Mayors, Water Boards, Zoning Boards, Economic Development Committees – all make vital decisions for our communities everyday, like whether to allow the development of a data center or how to increase public access to your local waterways. Most of us engage more regularly with national politics and decision making than we do with the leaders in our own communities. This session will share insights and information about connecting with local elected officials and how to have your voices heard about what is best for your communities.
How You Can Help Get Out The Environmental Vote in Alabama with Debbie Chang (Citizens Climate Lobby) – RISE I
Celebrating Alabama’s Biodiversity and Communicating About it in New Ways with Dr. Bill Deutsch (author) – RISE II
The session will give a broad overview of Alabama’s biodiversity, emphasizing our world class aquatic biodiversity. It will also present the new Alabama in Five Nature Series with plans for reaching thousands of students and curious adults about the state’s biodiversity.
4 – 5 pm – HAPPY HOUR + NETWORKING
5 – 6 pm – KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DR. MARCUS BRIGGS-CLOUD (Ekvn-Yefolecv)
We are in for a special treat and truly unique opportunity. Marcus Briggs-Cloud will provide an overview of Ekvn-Yefolecv (ee-gun yee-full-lee-juh), a climate-positive, income-sharing ecovillage community of Indigenous Maskoke People who, after 180 years of having been forcibly removed from traditional homelands – in what is commonly/colonially known as central Alabama – returned in January 2018 with unwavering commitments to: the revitalization of Maskoke language and culture, natural building construction, ecological restoration, endangered species conservation, restorative economics, and regenerative agriculture. Designed as a decolonization and reindigenization paradigm shift, the community seeks to exemplify a Just Transition from extractive economies to more equitable, culturally and ecologically regenerative lifeways, all while serving as a replicable archetype for other communities to manifest in their own culturally responsive ways.
6 – 7:30 pm – DINNER + RIVER CELEBRATION AWARDS
After a delicious buffet featuring the culinary creations from Chef AYA, we will gather to celebrate the organizations and Alabamians who have made outstanding contributions toward river protection in our state since last year. We’ll hoot and holler at our movement’s successes over the past 12 months, too!
8 – 9 pm – Special Screening of Sallie’s Ashes with Savan Wilson
Stick around after the River Celebration Awards for a special screening of the 40 minute short documentary, Sallie’s Ashes. Faced with terminal lung cancer, 80-year-old Sallie Smith rallies an unlikely team of fellow Alabama grandmas to fight for the removal of a toxic coal ash pit that threatens the waters of their beloved Mobile Bay. Click here to read more about this incredible film.
8 pm – ? – After Party at Hilltop!
Hop across the street to continue the celebration, networking, exchanging of incredible ideas and more at Hilltop Bar, owned by our dear friend Councilor Andrew Szymanski!
Sunday, March 22
8 – 8:45 am – Breakfast
9 – 10:30 am – Closing Plenary with ARA’s Young Professional River Defenders: The Stories That Sustain Us
In Environmental Advocacy, it can often feel hard to see the forest through the trees. We are often torn between the dejection of the losses and the desire to see positive change. Finding the balance between acknowledging our disappointments without falling into despair and forcing ourselves to see the world through rose-colored glasses is one of the greatest challenges we face. Join ARA’s Young Professional River Defenders as we mark the new Quadrennium by recognizing instances of solidarity, protection, engagement, and resilience that have inspired us and how we can continue the momentum into the future.
11 am – Field Trips! We have four inspiring and invigorating field trip experiences to offer you on Sunday of Alabama Water Rally. While we know many of you are ready to get home, we intentionally chose to leave this time on Sunday program-free so that you can Experience Montgomery, and have some time to reflect and explore. If you are unable to stick around for a Field Trip, we encourage you to plan some time to explore on Friday or to come back to Montgomery soon to see what you missed! Click here to read about our field trips!
Special thank you to our 2026 Water Rally Sponsors!
