Leadership Class Explores Environmental Practices

Leadership Class Explores Environmental Practices I April Session Held in Daphne and Spanish Fort

Daphne, Ala -- The Leadership Baldwin County class convened this week at Daphne’s Waterfront Park to discuss environmental issues. The day included a tour of the Daphne wastewater treatment center, and Algae Systems, a private company that produces renewable fuels and fertilizer from wastewater and atmospheric carbon dioxide. After lunch at May Day Park the group toured the Joe’s Branch Restoration Project in Spanish Fort. The project is a cooperative effort of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Alabama Department of Transportation cities of Spanish Fort and Daphne and Westminster Village undertaken to restore the stream using a cutting-edge technology called Regenerative Step Pool Storm Conveyance.

“Today was a fascinating day,” said Program Director Cindy Wilson, PhD. “I think everyone learned a lot about things being done with water and wastewater to enhance our sustainable practices both in Daphne and throughout the county.” The April session is one of eight that are planned and led by a volunteer steering committee of Leadership Baldwin alumnae, under the direction of Wilson, who is Director of the University of South Alabama Baldwin County (USABC).

Primary planner for the day was steering committee member Brad Pitt of Riviera Utilities. “This was an opportunity for the class to see some of the innovative projects and technologies in use around the county,” Pitt said. “They got to see the whole spectrum, from the storm water issues at Joe’s Branch to the treatment facilities technologies this morning.”

The group began meeting monthly in October and will graduate in May. Sessions are held at various locations around the county to explore topics including arts & culture, healthcare, education, local and state government, and economic development. The monthly session topics are designed to give class members an opportunity to learn more about topics that are relevant county-wide, but may not be a part of their everyday work environment.

Leadership Baldwin County was established in 1989 and is sponsored by USABC and Baldwin County United. Program details are at http://www.leadershipbaldwincounty.com where online applications are now available for the 2015-16 class.

For more information contact:
Dr. Cindy Wilson, cwilson@usouthal.edu, 251-928-8133

Wade Burcham, who worked with Thompson Engineering on the project, gave and overview of the Joe’s Branch restoration effort to the Leadership Baldwin class at the April session, which explored a variety of environmental topics. (Photo courtesy of Leadership Baldwin)