A project of the Alabama Clean Water Partnership, Protecting the Waters of the Cahaba River Basin newspaper insert, was coordinated by the facilitator.  Partners contributed articles and reviewed drafts for final publication.   Newspaper inserts have proven a cost effective way to educate the general public regarding watersheds and water quality and have proven to be an effective tool in recruiting new stakeholders to the water quality arena. 

The 16-page inserts focus on science based, water related information, including information on local watersheds, nonpoint source pollution, the economic contributions of clean water and homeowner tips for reducing personal pollution.  The insert was divided into subsections based on watershed boundaries, water related success stories within parts of each basin will be highlighted, and identified concerns (such as threatened and/or endangered species, invasive aquatic plants and animals, etc.)

The “Non-Native Invasive Plant Identification and Management Short Course” was held in Vestavia Hills, Alabama on Friday, October 22, 2010.  There were 24 in attendance including guest speakers, Dr. Nancy Lowenstein and Dr. Stephen Enloe; both with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University. 
The workshop was well attended with the majority of participants being employees of the City of Vestavia including Chris Brady, City Engineer and several of the employees whom he supervises.  Other participants included engineers, landscape architects, Auburn and Samford University personnel, Alabama and South Carolina Cooperative Extension personnel, and others in private industry.
The Workshop began with Dr. Lowenstein discussing her presentation, “Riparian Invaders—Guide to Identification of Top 10.”  After discussion, the class adjourned and travelled to Little Shades Creek where Dr. Enloe gave his presentation, “Managing Undesirables—Suggested Practices.”   The information was very “hands-on” and informative.  

Construction began on the Little Shades Creek Stream Restoration Project the first week of February and completed the second week of March 2010.  It is expected that the project will improve water quality, improve fish habitat, reduce stream bank erosion, and reduce the loss of land along the stream bank and reduce sediment entering the Cahaba River. 

Approximately 1,900 linear feet of stream bank was enhanced using natural channel design techniques.  This technique is a departure from channelizing streams.  It reduces the volume and velocity of stormwater by allowing the stream to meander naturally, creating additional floodplain, and rock structures to direct the flow and disburse destructive energy that causes severe erosion and sedimentation.

On March 26, 2010, the Cahaba Clean Water Partnership conducted a field tour of the Little Shades Creek Stream Restoration project.  Seventeen attendees were present representing the City of Vestavia, Alabama Department of Transportation, ADEM Field Operations, ADEM Office of Education and Outreach and elected officials.

On February 23, 2012 a workshop entitled Urban Stream Maintenance Workshop was held in the Cahaba Watershed.

Stream Restoration Construction - February11, 2010
The field activities for the workshop included channel and floodplain grading; in-stream boulder and log structure placement for flow direction, grade control, and habitat enhancement; Stream bank stabilization using root wads, erosion control matting, and vegetation; Stormwater treatment and conveyance using bio-swales and bio-retention. 25 participants met at the field site for lectures and demonstrations by stream restoration design and construction professionals (Alabama Cooperative Extension System, North Carolina State Cooperative Extension System and North State Environmental.) The workshop participants included representatives from local and state government, non-profit organizations, local business, and private industry.

Vegetation for Stream and Floodplain Restoration on March 9, 2010.
30 participants were part of the workshop. The field activities for this workshop included: Riparian tree and shrub selection and planting; Bioengineering for stream bank stabilization; and Invasive plant management for Streamside Forests. The workshop participants included representatives from localand state government, non-profit organizations, local business, and private industry. Evaluations from workshop participants were positive.  Continuing education credits were offered by Auburn University.