Albany, GA -- The Flint River Water Planning and Policy Center at Albany State University is pleased to announce the official release of a new educational tool designed to promote awareness of the Lower Flint River Basin.
Developed through a collaborative effort with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the poster highlights the importance of water in sustaining the biologic and economic vitality of our region. “Few places compare to the Lower Flint in terms of both hydrologic intricacy and ecological diversity,” says Debbie Warner, Hydrologist with the USGS.
The complex interaction between surface and groundwater and the existence of numerous endangered species make the Flint and its tributaries a sanctuary for scientific study. An additional component addressed by the poster is the dependence of the regional economy on these same water resources.
Mark Masters, Resource Economist and Acting Director of the ASU Water Center notes, “Given an economy that relies heavily on agricultural production, the availability of a reliable source of water for irrigation is crucial to avoid economic stagnation in our rural areas.”
Outdoor recreation such as fishing and boating as well as ecotourism to areas like the Swamp of Toa Important Birding Area also contribute to the economic reliance on the water resources. The goal in creating the poster is to foster a public appreciation for maintaining an environment conducive for ecologic and economic sustainability.
Initial copies have already been distributed to a few of the Water Center’s educational cooperators including the Flint RiverQuarium. Doug Noble, CEO of the new Albany attraction, explains, “The poster is visually appealing and is a welcome addition to our teaching facilities. We are certainly delighted to be the recipient of such a useful tool and applaud ASU and the USGS for working to educate Southwest Georgia about our magnificent river system.”
Additional copies of the poster will be made available to regional school systems, colleges and universities, and the general public. If you would like further information or to request a poster, please contact the Flint River Water Planning and Policy Center at 229-430-2900 or info@h2opolicycenter.org
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