THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $91,000 TO THE MOBILE BAY KEEPERS, INC, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, TO ENABLE THEM TO IMPLEMENT AN EDUCATION AND MONITORING PROGRAM (CALLED SWAMP) DESIGNED TO BROADEN THE UNDERSTANDING OF WATERSHEDS, WATER QUALITY, AND HOW CITIZENS IMPACT THE TWO. MOBILE BAYKEEPER PERSONNEL WILL EDUCATE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON WATERSHEDS AND ENLIST VOLUNTEERS WITHIN THESE GROUPS TO RECEIVE TRAINING IN ORDER TO MONITOR SPECIFIC, LOCAL WATERWAYS. BAYKEEPER WILL TRAIN PARTICIPANTS TO MONITOR WATER QUALITY, ASSESS SHORELINE/STREAM BANK CONDITIONS, AND TRACK CHANGES OVER TIME. THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN SWAMP, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE A WATER QUALITY OR POLLUTION PROBLEM AND DEVELOP A SOLUTION THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE, ECONOMY AND NATURAL RESOURCES.