Gulf Scholars will be paired with community mentors who are working on sustainability issues that are impacted by the Gulf. The community mentor will work with students to help them understand Gulf sustainability issues, and the partnership will form the basis for their Gulf Impact Project. Some community mentors may have internship positions available. A few potential community partners include:
Alabama Coastal Foundation, Mark Berte, Executive Director: Founded in 1993, the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) is a statewide nonprofit with a mission to improve and protect Alabama’s coastal environment through cooperation, education and participation. ACF works to promote a culture where environmental decisions are based on an accurate understanding of the underlying science, the dissemination of factual information and the engagement of government, industry and citizens to find solutions to Alabama's coastal environmental challenges. ACF engages individuals, other nonprofit groups, as well as the public (local, state and federal) and private (small business through big industry) sectors for the betterment of our coastal environment using an inclusive environmental stewardship approach.
Living Democracy, Mark Wilson, Director, Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities: For over a decade, Living Democracy has paired students and citizens in Alabama communities for a living-learning experience in community and civic engagement. The backgrounds, interests, majors and skills of the students are as diverse as the communities where they will reside. The upcoming journey will be an adventure in developing relationships, understanding a community's hopes and dreams, and discovering what makes democracy work as it should. Living Democracy is a collaboration with communities and the David Mathews Center for Civic Life. Living Democracy students serve as Jean O'Connor Snyder Interns with the Mathews Center. Gulf Scholars interested in this program need to apply through the Living Democracy Program’s application process. Applications are due in October.
Energy Alabama, Laurel Esposito, Education Manager: Energy Alabama is a nonprofit membership-based organization that has advocated for sustainable energy in Alabama since 2014. Its work is based on two pillars: education and advocacy. The group works on education by providing lesson plans for K-12 students on a variety of topics surrounding energy education and advocacy, and hosting adult education courses on sustainable energy. Energy Alabama works on clean energy advocacy by attending community meetings, talking with political representatives and energy-policy makers, and fighting for sustainable energy. The most significant energy issues facing Alabama are the high cost and high consumption of electricity and policies perpetuating utilities’ reliance on fossil fuels. With over 40% of Alabama residents having been forced to choose between paying their utility bill and purchasing necessities, the current state of energy is as much a social crisis as it is an environmental disaster. Energy Alabama seeks to foster a sustainable energy transition that is affordable and accessible for all Alabamians by educating consumers and future leaders and advocating for energy policy reform.
Loxley Community Development Department, Jonathan Smith, Community Development Director: The City of Loxley, Alabama, is the beating heart of Baldwin County. The city’s central location near the I-10 Interstate provides an easy commute to Mobile, Alabama, or Pensacola, Florida. Alabama Highway 59 runs right through the city center, flowing easily to the white-sand beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The scenic Eastern Shore is a short drive away, making Loxley one of the most convenient places in South Alabama to live, play and work. The City of Loxley has the largest planning area in all of Baldwin County. And while the city encourages and expects growth, they don’t want to be caught unaware. As part of the Loxley Community Development Department, the building inspector’s office, Planning Commission and Board of Adjustments ensure all new growth is managed properly and that the city’s stringent subdivision and zoning regulations are met and maintained.
Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, Charles Ball, Executive Director: The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham provides planning services, economic development services and multiple initiatives for six counties and 84 communities throughout central Alabama. Annual dues provided by the member governments of these counties and communities make it possible for the RPCGB to provide valuable resources. These services and initiatives are innovative and far-reaching. The Commission works through a consultation process with local governments, citizens, non-profits and the private sector in Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby and Walker counties. It is through this process that opportunities and cost-effective solutions are identified to assure physical and economic growth for everyone.
Ship Shape Urban Farms, Dale Speetjens, Co-Founder and CEO: Shipshape Urban Farms emerged from a shared passion for sustainable agriculture and innovative farming. In the summer of 2017, Shipshape Urban Farms officially launched as a proposed urban farm in Mobile, Alabama, introducing modular hydroponic farms housed within a single shipping container. Recognizing their model's potential beyond the local community, Dale and Angela crafted a visionary business plan to empower others and address broader food security concerns. While operating their initial container farm, they laid the foundation for a network of agripreneurs, poised to cultivate fresh produce in compact spaces. Looking ahead, Shipshape Urban Farms continues its journey toward sustainability. Their aspirations include pioneering regenerative agriculture and envisioning the world's first 3D printed hydroponic farm, a fusion of technology and precision. A sustainable ethos remains at their core as they work toward a net-zero farm powered by renewable energy. In their unwavering commitment to a holistic approach, Shipshape designs living structures that blend seamlessly with the environment, embodying regenerative principles for a truly sustainable future.
South Alabama Land Trust, Jane Herndon, Executive Director: The South Alabama Land Trust is a nonprofit that is involved in land conservation, primarily in Baldwin and Mobile Counties. Their mission is to protect land and promote environmental education in coastal Alabama so current and future residents can enjoy clean water and the marine life, wildlife and outdoor recreation that define our area. The work they do includes taking land into perpetual conservation either through purchase, donation or conservation easements. Once the Land Trust owns the land, they are responsible for its stewardship. This involves annual monitoring of the property to ensure it is not being used/developed, construction and maintenance of recreation trails, and enhancement of the habitats through controlled burns and invasive species control.
Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments, Phoenix Robinson, Principal Planner and Member of the Huntsville Sustainability Committee: Since 1968, the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) has united municipal, county and state governments and federal agencies to work as a single team focused solely on improving the region that now includes more than 713,000 residents. The TARCOG region envisions an inclusive community where every citizen enjoys an exceptional quality of life via the provision of a seamless education system, high-quality employment availability, recreational and cultural activities, and a myriad of housing choices.
Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability, Jackie McGonigal, Executive Director. “The Center” is a non-profit organization working to promote sustainable tourism, raise environmental awareness and encourage the stewardship of the Gulf Coast’s natural resources. We offer an array of world-class programming for residents, visitors, students and families. Coastal Alabama offers breathtaking scenery and unforgettable outdoor experiences. In addition to the sugar sand beaches that the region is famous for, visitors will explore lush forests, coastal wetlands, elevated boardwalks, and state-of-the-art environmental facilities throughout Gulf State Park and the City of Gulf Shores. We offer day and overnight programs throughout the winter, spring, summer, and fall. Our trained field naturalists ensure a fun, educational and safe experience for all ages. We also like to collaborate with local NGOs, government agencies and others who have worked tirelessly to monitor and manage programs that support our long-term mission. Whether you’re looking for adventure, scientific discovery or a quiet reflective moment, our hands-on activities highlight the best the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Alabama Contemporary Art Center, Elizabet Elliot, Executive Director/Curator. Founded in 1999, Alabama Contemporary Art Center is a non-profit contemporary arts center on the outer edge of the Deep South, in the port city of Mobile, Alabama. We are a non-collecting organization that is committed to the work of living artists. We serve our community by originating ten to twelve exhibitions a year, adhering the W.A.G.E. certification standards in all of our work, offering public programming, adult and children’s education, and outreach programming. Through guest curatorship, artist residencies, and the commission of new work we create sustainable opportunities for curators and artists worldwide to make work, take risks, and explore divergent paths.
The Nature Conservancy, Judy Haner, Alabama Marine and Freshwater Programs Director: The Perdido Watershed Habitat and Community Resilience Initiative is a large-scale, multi-site project aimed at enhancing both ecosystem and community resilience in the Perdido watershed in Alabama and Florida through the integrated planning, implementation, and monitoring of multiple innovative restoration approaches and techniques. Restoration approaches include creating, restoring, and enhancing coastal wetlands, islands, and shorelines, and protecting and conserving coastal, estuarine, and riparian habitats. Restoration techniques include sediment placement, protection of natural shorelines, habitat management, restoration of hydrologic connectivity, and construction of living shorelines.
Leslie Gahagan, City of Foley Environmental Department, Environmental Manager: The Environmental Department’s mission is to protect and assist in the enhancement of the city’s natural resources and ecological health through the utilization of environmental stewardship, education and outreach, municipal leadership, environmental code enforcement, vector control, effective communication, and collaboration with all citizens. With over 600 acres of land owned by the City of Foley, the Environmental Department also manages the Graham Creek Nature Preserve, dedicated to the preservation of native plants and wildlife.
Casi Callaway, City of Mobile Chief Resilience Officer: The Office of Resilience is responsible for the strategic pursuit of comprehensive resilience priority areas including environmental, social, economic, and infrastructure improvement goals. Working collaboratively within and across the community, we strengthen the City of Mobile’s ability to address the systemic stresses and challenges our citizens face, as well as enhance our ability to prepare for and rebound from acute shocks. We are working to create solutions in a place-based, integrated, inclusive, risk-aware, and forward-looking manner. A Resilient City is one that thrives despite the challenges presented. Priority topics include addressing litter, recycling, flooding, and working to better understand the gaps and strengths in our ability to address resilience across the city.
Emily Blejwas, Alabama Folklife Center, Executive Director: The Alabama Folklife Association was founded in 1980 to document, preserve, present, and promote the folkways of Alabama through research, education, and programming. It sponsors research on traditional aspects of Alabama folk culture, including shape-note singing, decoration days, folk pottery, basketry, foodways, quilting, midwifery, and traditional work practices. The association also sponsors festivals and conferences and produces publications, videos, and sound recordings featuring Alabama folk artists and their work.
Elizabeth Stevens, Downtown Mobile Alliance, President and CEO: The Downtown Mobile Alliance is a non-profit organization established to facilitate the work of the Downtown Mobile District Management Corporation and Main Street Mobile, Inc. Established in August 2006, the Alliance is a membership organization that exists to support the redevelopment of Downtown Mobile through marketing, advocacy and the management of Business Improvement District services
Matthew Capps, Alabama State Parks, Deputy Director: The Alabama State Parks Division operates and maintains 21 state parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains providing opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurant and golfing areas. Our mission is to acquire and preserve natural areas; to develop, furnish, operate and maintain recreational facilities, and to extend the public’s knowledge of the state’s natural environment.
Chris Gibson, Mobile United, Executive Director: Mobile United will “unite the community through deliberative dialogue to train, convene, and engage leaders for positive action.” Fifty years after its establishment in 1972, Mobile United is still actively seeking to make Mobile an inclusive place to live, work, play, and pray.
Mike Rogers, Rogers and Williard, Inc., President: Rogers & Willard, Inc. is recognized as a leading builder in the Southeast for diverse construction services. Our theme "Built Lean. Build Smart." is the backbone of our philosophy. We’re a small, streamlined group, which allows us to complete projects in a highly cost-efficient manner. We’re also a veteran group, with the experience to take advantage of intelligent, cost-saving opportunities without diluting standards. When you build smart, you can handle even the most difficult projects… on strict timetables… on budget.
Avery Schuler, McNair Historic Preservation, Senior Project Manager: McNair Historic Preservation is a national full-service Historic Preservation consulting firm offering clients a range of services including historic tax credit and economic incentive consultation, government relations, historic economic development project management, historic real estate and design consultation, and research/fieldwork services to document and promote your historic assets. Based in Mobile, Alabama, our staff provides the expert services you need to find the greatest value and solutions for your historic property and historic districts while also effectively balancing contemporary realities. McNair Historic Preservation possesses an expert understanding of government policies and application requirements for navigating through local, state, and federal regulations as we shepherd projects through all phases of the regulatory, design, and construction process.
