Mississippi Water Stewards
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Water monitoring training with the Pearl Riverkeeper group.
Photo Credit: Pearl Riverkeeper, Abby Braman -
The Water Quality Lab staff at Mississippi State University testing water pH.
Photo Credit: Mississippi State Water Quality Lab -
Graduate Student engages in water monitoring at a local waterbody.
Photo Credit: Mississippi State University Water Quality Lab -
Dr. Beth Baker teaching small youth group about watershed health at Catalpa Creek.
Photo Credit: REACH Program
Our Mission
The Mississippi Water Stewards Program (MSWS) was developed through the Mississippi State Extension Service to serve as the state’s first statewide, citizen-based water monitoring and education program. The MSWS mission is to improve citizen awareness and engagement in the protection of Mississippi’s water resources. Protection of water resources through education and outreach will build transparency and public participation in the protection of the states’ unique water resources and ecosystems, thereby protecting the Gulf of Mexico.
The long-term vision of the MSWS program is to have the capacity in every Mississippi watershed for citizens to understand local water issues, respond via monitoring if necessary, and lead local efforts to protect water resources through scientifically sound, actionable solutions.
What We Do
The Mississippi Water Stewards Program serves three purposes:
- Educating citizens about water issues in Mississippi and the world;
- Training citizens to use scientifically valid methods to gather credible water-quality information using quality-assured protocols; and
- Building capacity in local communities to have a positive impact by using monitoring information for environmental education, waterbody restoration and protection efforts, and involvement in watershed stewardship.
Collaborators
MSWS was developed around principles and practices of the Alabama Water Watch (AWW) program, and we fully acknowledge the decades of work poured into the infrastructure of that program. MSWS staff members are grateful for the collaboration with AWW and acknowledge its significant role in the development and implementation of the water stewards program.
