GULF SHORES — Attendees of a recent Little Lagoon Preservation Society (LLPS) meeting were given an overview of Mobile Baykeeper's history and current and upcoming projects to protect local waterways.

In his presentation, Cade Kistler, who works as a Baykeeper, focused on the impact pollution has on local waterways, the importance of oyster and seagrass preservation and understanding how to find out if water sources are safe for swimming.

Starting in 1977 as a group of citizens in Mobile concerned about their environmental quality, Mobile Baykeeper has been involved with environmental concerns from the 2010 BP oil spill to local sewage leaks.

"We exist to defend and revive the health of the waters of coastal Alabama," Kistler said.

Kistler said his team, made up of Mobile Baykeeper scientists and AmeriCorps members, regularly gathers data to ensure measurable improvement is happening in their projects, such as oyster gardening and seagrass restoration. They know the work they are doing is good, but they want to determine just how good it is.

Kistler said success for the team will be "when no one has to question if the fish are safe to eat."

It was not a random decision to choose oysters and seagrass to start with the restoration of local waterways. Kistler said both are "indicators of water quality," and they also work to improve water quality naturally as both species work as filters for their environment.

Mobile Baykeeper website states that "A single oyster can remove harmful nitrogen and sediments from approximately 10 gallons of water per day."

Kistler went through the life span of an oyster and the history of oyster reef declines. He touched on the dredging and mining of natural oyster reefs that used to lie in Mobile Bay. Oyster reefs can reduce long-term erosion on a shoreline as well as provide a habitat for fish and other marine life.

Several residents along Little Lagoon practice oyster gardening as a form of oyster preservation in their own backyards. Mobile Baykeeper also has its own oyster gardening project where they partner with the Auburn University Marine Extension and Research Center.

While oysters were the star of the meeting, Kistler also reminded attendees of seagrass' importance, stating that this plant serves as a nursery habitat for fish, crabs, shrimp and other local fauna.

Kistler said the Mobile Baykeeper program Swim Where It's Monitored (SWIM) also gathers data on the levels of bacteria found in areas along and connected to Mobile Bay. They publish their findings on the Swimming section of their website to inform the public on locations for safe/unsafe swimming. Kistler said the most common areas for polluted waters surround Prichard and other areas on the west side of the bay, but it is still important to check for updates in rivers, bays, canals and other waterways in the area.

The meeting was informative to residents and LLPS members concerning the preservation and quality of the environment they live in.

ALSO DURING THE MEETING
Before Kistler gave his presentation, Dennis Hatfield, president of LLPS, announced that board members nominated Lauren Thomas as a new member. According to the society's bylaws. All members present were in favor of Thomas.

Thomas already completed work as an alternative board member where she designed t-shirts for the society that are soon to be approved by the board. Thomas also worked to revise the LLPS oyster gardening certification.

"If you saw a change in your certificate this year, thank Lauren," Hatfield said. "She did a great job on that."