Friday, March 20
noon – 6 pm – Registration and Check In
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 (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 discussion will take us on a journey down the Alabama River through time, from pre-human history to 2026. Along the way, we’ll explore how ecology, Indigenous peoples, and the civil rights are all connected to the mighty Alabama’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 (shuttles provided, 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
Here Comes The Flow: Statewide Water Planning with Charles Miller (ARA), Bennett Bearden (Geological Survey of Alabama), and Greg Guthrie (Geological Survey of Alabama)
Description coming soon!
The F Word: Fundraising for Advocacy with Jacob Smith (Alabama Arise)
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)
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)
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)
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.
Alabama’s Energy Future with Sheree Martin (Energy Alabama) and Jack West (ARA)
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.
Mic Drop: Media Training for Advocacy with Terah Boyd (SELC)
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.
How You Can Help Get Out The Environmental Vote in Alabama with Debbie Chang (Citizens Climate Lobby)
12:15 – 1 pm – LUNCH
1 – 2:30 pm: KEYNOTE SPEAKER: ANTHONY DAVIS JR. (Groundwork Project)
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)
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.
Eyes Wide Open with David Butler (Cahaba River Coalition) and special guests
Description coming soon!
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)
Description coming soon!
Celebrating Alabama’s Biodiversity and Communicating About it in New Ways with Dr. Bill Deutsch (author)
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 – Coming Soon!
Special thank you to our 2026 Water Rally Sponsors!