In 2011, the Black Warrior River was ranked eight out of 10 on the most endangered rivers list, due to the operation of over 90 coal mines on its shores. SweetWater Brewing Company and the Black Warrior Riverkeeper are hoping to not only save the river but also reverse the death sentence it is facing.

In order to help, SweetWater has launched the “Save the Black Warrior” program, a campaign which has raised over $30,000 since 2008 to help the Black Warrior Riverkeeper with its goal to save and restore a vital aspect of our community and heritage.

Local businesses such as Mellow Mushroom are getting involved in the process as well.

“We have been involved for about 4 years now with the program,” Lillian Mears, co-manager of Mellow Mushroom, said. “We have raised over $100 selling paper fish, T-shirts and SweetWater Beer.”

Mellow Mushroom, as well as businesses such as Wintzell’s Oyster House, Moe’s BBQ,  The Alcove, Downtown Pub and Brown’s Corner are just a few of the local bars and restaurants that are becoming involved with this cleanup.

Every year, the tasks for SweetWater and Black Warrior Riverkeeper become a little tougher, but the overall goal remains the same.

“Our fantastic partnership with Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper in Atlanta and the success of the Save the Hooch campaign led us to seek out other members of the Waterkeeper Alliance in the states where we sell our beer and see if would could help them in their local mission,” Steve Farace, SweetWater’s minister of propaganda, said. “We want the public to understand the awareness of the river’s current state and for the public to understand how they can help save the river.”

The Black Warrior River is not only a home to many families in Alabama, it is also a home to some of the most unique fish and aquatic life in the southern states.

“Hurricane Creek, located in Holt, has species that live nowhere else in the world,” said Charlie Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper.

It is their goal to keep this river a safe home to these species and also provide safe drinking water to the people who depend on it.

“We not only are protecting the river itself, but also the streams and lakes that connect to it,” Scribner said.

The alliance between SweetWater Brewery and Black Warrior Riverkeeper brings them one step closer to solving the many issues at hand.

“The Black Warrior Riverkeeper would not have raised the money that was needed if SweetWater had never got involved,” said Charlie Scribner.

Actions are necessary throughout Alabama to make people aware of the dangers that may result as a consequence of the coal mines located along the river. Not only is this a current issue, but more coal mines are in the making, which could directly affect everything we have been working for.

“We are opposing the Shepherd Bend Mine, which would be a major threat to Birmingham drinking water,” Scribner said. “Luckily, there is still an opportunity to stop the mine, because The University of Alabama owns much of the land where the mine would be built.”

There are many ways for anyone to get involved and help make a change. The easist is to visit the local bars and restaurants that are helping in the effort to save the Black Warrior River.

“Students can show their support by going to the website www.blackwarriorriver.org and learning information about the issues that face the Black Warrior River,” said Caitlin McClusky, volunteer intern at Black Warrior Riverkeeper.

So, the next time you walk into a local bar or restaurant and you see the paper fish and T-shirts, remember that they are not there for decoration, but for a worthwhile cause.