| ⏲️ This month’s edition contains 1016 words (just over a 3-4 minute read).
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Welcome to the redesigned NEWSTide. Our goal is simple: make it easier to see how work across the Alabama Water Institute and our three research entities translates into real-world water solutions, from advanced genomics and next-generation forecasting to global water security leadership. It begins at The University of Alabama and stretches far beyond, and we’re grateful for your continued support.
With thanks,
Brock Parker
AWI Director of Research Institute Communications
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CONSERVE Future Ecologies Lab Brings Advanced DNA Analysis
to UA
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A process that once took two full days now takes about an hour. The CONSERVE Future Ecologies lab's new KingFisher Apex is the first genomics platform of its kind at The University of Alabama, dramatically expanding the University's capacity to study full ecosystems and compete with leading research institutions. The equipment is already accelerating rivercane restoration research and creating hands-on training opportunities for the next generation of water scientists.
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| New CIROH Research Awards Advance NextGen Water Prediction
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New CIROH research projects will strengthen the Next Generation Water Resources Modeling Framework, advancing forecasting platforms and expanding flood inundation modeling nationwide. The 47-project fiscal year 2025 portfolio totals $25.5 million from NOAA.
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GWSC: Drought May Test Central Asia’s New Cooperative Approach
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After years of conflict over shared water resources, Central Asian nations have reached a new level of cooperation. GWSC researchers examine whether the region's fragile agreements can hold as reservoirs fall to historic lows and downstream neighbors brace for shortages.
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| New UA Facility Focused on Water Will Support Research
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The University of Alabama will open the UA Wiregrass Hub in downtown Enterprise, Alabama, in fall 2026. The facility will house the CRIMSON Water Initiative, using data analysis and forecasting tools to help communities prepare for and rapidly respond to floods, droughts and other water-related challenges.
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GWSC Welcomes Peter Schwartzstein to UA
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International journalist and researcher Peter Schwartzstein visited The University of Alabama February 18-19, drawing more than 100 students, faculty and staff to a public lecture on how water scarcity, governance and conflict intersect across the globe.
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| GWSC Joins Reservoir Center for Water Solutions Partner Summit
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More than 80 partner organizations gathered at the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions annual summit in Washington, D.C., and GWSC was among them, reinforcing its role in national water policy conversations.
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How a Unplanned Career Path Led to Meaningful Work
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Dr. Kate Brauman, GWSC deputy director, didn't set out to translate water science for policy. In a conversation with students from The Environmental Defense Initiative, Brauman shares how an unplanned career path led to meaningful work.
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| From Anthropology Student to CONSERVE Storyteller
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CONSERVE took a chance on a first-time filmmaker, lending professional equipment to an anthropology student for a project 800 miles from campus. Ekaterina Menkina says the experience changed absolutely everything.
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CONSERVE Ep. 2: Reimagine Rivercane Part II – The Art and Culture of Rivercane
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Join scientists as they explain how rivercane stabilizes streambanks, improves water quality and supports wildlife through healthy riparian buffers.
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Open Education Programs Summer 2026
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AROUND ALABAMA:
Renew Our Rivers Kicks Off 27th Year
of Statewide Waterway Cleanup
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Now in its 27th year, Renew Our Rivers launches its 2026 season March 7 with approximately 27 cleanups planned across Alabama's lakes and rivers. Since its start on the Coosa River in Gadsden, volunteers have removed more than 13.7 million pounds of debris from Alabama waterways.
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The Alabama Water Institute's monthly WaterWorks seminar series brings leading water researchers and conservationists from across the nation to The University of Alabama. These conversations, exploring the critical intersection of water, science and society, showcase innovative approaches to water management challenges. Attendees can participate in person or access recordings via AWI's YouTube channel.
In this month's talk, Dr. Jade Mitchell shares how quantitative microbial risk assessment offers a structured, data-driven approach to evaluating waterborne health risks and informing decisions that enhance water security.
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The Alabama Water Institute (AWI) is one of The University of Alabama’s four research institutes. AWI acts as a forum for interdisciplinary research and education by bringing together university researchers, students, and staff to foster collaboration and a broad interdisciplinary focus on water issues that face our world today. AWI-affiliated researchers specialize in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, water security and quality, remote sensing, biodiversity and watershed management, and human health through synergies with AWI research programs, including the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology, the Global Water Security Center, and the CONSERVE Research Group.
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Copyright (C) 2026 Alabama Water Institute. All rights reserved.
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