Check out our newsletter to keep up with important news and activities!
No images? Click here
Welcome New KWW Support Hubs!
Kentucky Watershed Watch has been busy adding new Support Hubs across the state!
We recognize that building a network of convenient Support Hub locations is critical to providing the resources our volunteer samplers need. So, we have been working to establish new Hubs where we see a need.
Let us introduce you to one of the new Kentucky Watershed Watch Support Hubs!
BlackRoots Farm in Winchester (Clark County)
Black Roots is not your typical Support Hub! It’s a 20-acre vegetable and hemp farm! In addition to growing crops, Black Roots is involved in agricultural research for things like biochar. Head farmer, Tatum Lewis (pictured above), is passionate about sustainable farming, and understands that clean water is a crucial component to this! Black Roots is on the border of the Kentucky River and Licking River basins and will be serving both regions.
Other new support hub locations:
- Spencer County Cooperative Extension Office (Taylorsville)
- HomeGrown HideAways (Berea)
- Magoffin County Health Department (Salyersville)
2025 KWW Annual Report
In 2025, our volunteer samplers helped us kick off our first official year of using new protocols for Watershed Watch. We want to thank everyone who added their sampling results to the data portal last year.
KWW's Science Advisory Committee has helped compile some observations from the 2025 sampling effort. Please take some time to review the report to see what was achieved. We are already looking forward to seeing a comparative growth in participation in 2026!
Read the 2025 Annual Report here.
Sampling Surges
Thank you to everyone who monitored your stream in May and to the Support Hubs who helped make it possible!
Be sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming Sampling Surge Dates:
July 5-12th and September 6-13th
REMINDER TO SAMPLERS: Please make sure you have submitted July and September sampling plans in your Profile on the KWW Data Portal!
This linked video provides instructions on how to do this.
Habitat and Biological Assessment Trainings
Habitat and Biological Assessment trainings have been underway across the state this Spring and we now have 21 samplers who are fully trained in these procedures. Many more have completed the online modules and are ready for the in-person sessions.
To continue building our network of samplers with these skills, we are looking for Hubs or other locations that would like to host habitat and biological assessment equipment. Please reach out to contact@kywater.org if you are interested.
Kentucky Watershed Watch
Board Retreat
In March 2026, several of our dedicated KWW Board Members gathered at FloraCliff Nature Preserve in Fayette County to reflect on what makes Kentucky Watershed Watch strong today — and to imagine what the organization could become.
Read more about what was discussed here.
Stream Sampling in KY: Who, How, & Why
KWW will be joining KWA for the KY Watershed Network (KWN) Monthly Virtual Sessions where you can hear from watershed partners, leaders, and experts from across KY. These virtual sessions are a way to highlight a variety of watershed work, opportunities, leaders, and organizations across KY as well as engage attendees in conversation on the topics presented.
Tuesday 6/16 12-1pm EST
Speakers: Leadership from Kentucky Watershed Watch (Tricia Coakley, Malissa McAlister, & Maggie Kaelin), KyWW Sampler Success/Lessons Learned (Alice Jones), and KyWW Sampler/Hub Success/Lessons Learned (Susan Brown, Boone Co Conservation District)
Registration: https://forms.gle/mvupgotwSsZq8cvAA
Support Hubs: Please contact us for any sampling needs.
Support Hub leaders, if you need supplies for the upcoming sampling events in July and/or September, please send an email with your supply requests to contact@kywater.org.
Photo Courtesy of Patrick Boyd (Magoffin County Health Department)
SAVE THE DATE
NOTE: A statewide Kentucky Watershed Watch meeting is planned for the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 14th immediately prior to the Kentucky Watershed Network Summit in Berea.
Samplers, Support Hub contacts, and leadership through the river basins have asked for a statewide meeting to share successes, network and get to know each other, hear KWW updates, and engage in organizational planning. Watch for additional information coming soon. We hope to see you there!
