Crowd gathered on lawn chairs at an outdoor community festival at The Mill on Etowah green space

Community Advocacy

A clean river requires an informed, active community standing behind it.

Amplifying Our Voice in the Community

Community advocacy is how we turn concern for the river into action. Throughout the year, UERA joins local festivals, public forums, and community gatherings. Together with regional partners, we raise awareness of the challenges facing the Etowah River basin.

These challenges range from storm water runoff and habitat loss to water conservation and pollution control. To meet them, we work side by side with residents, business owners, and local leaders. As a result, we’re building a united voice for the health and future of our shared river.

Laine Wood standing in front of our Upper Etowah River Alliance display

Find UERA in the Community

Look for the UERA booth at local festivals, farmers markets, and community events across the basin. There, visitors can explore hands-on exhibits, from live aquatic bug displays to stormwater runoff models. They can also talk directly with local conservation experts.

By meeting residents face to face, we share practical tips for preventing pollution and hand out educational resources. In addition, we invite people of all ages to become members and sign up for upcoming cleanups, workshops, and volunteer stream monitoring.

The Upper Etowah River Alliance booth at a Boy Scouts of America event

Partnering with Youth and Civic Groups

Strong community partnerships are at the heart of UERA’s mission. We often team up with youth and civic groups, including local Scout troops such as Canton Scout Troop 4056, on hands-on conservation projects.

These projects include Eagle Scout streambank restoration, trash weir maintenance, merit badge workshops, and river cleanups. Along the way, young leaders take ownership of the Etowah River watershed and build real environmental leadership skills.