Join us in honoring Dr. Crawford’s 16 years of leadership at Cahaba Riverkeeper.
- Bringing in $13.5 million to Support the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge restoration & the Town of West Blocton.
- Establishing our legacy Cahabapedia map that is hosting crucial water quality data for the public.
- Creating the 10 Rivers project to strengthen relationships within Waterkeepers Alabama.
- Facilitating steady growth in all of Cahaba Riverkeeper’s education programs including: the Swim Guide STEM Program, Swim Guide, The Environmental Leadership Program.
- Protecting 7,000 acres of Birmingham Water Works Land surrounding our drinking water source.
“When I decided to volunteer with Cahaba Riverkeeper, I could never have predicted the impact Dr. Crawford would have on my life, both personally and professionally. It is with a mix of sadness and excitement that I accept the responsibility of continuing her incredible work leveraging data to inspire communities to protect the Cahaba River. There will never be another Myra Crawford, so I am grateful she will remain a resource as we work to preserve the Cahaba River for generations to come.”
-David Butler
Dr. Crawford has served as an important mentor to hundreds of young people during her term as executive director and beyond.
She has mentored interns, AmeriCorps members, student researchers, and employees who are entering the environmental workforce for the first time.
For twenty years, Myra conducted behavioral research in substance abuse and other health-risk behaviors. She also spearheaded the creation of the Alabama Practice-Based Research Network (APBRN), a consortium of primary care physicians conducting clinic-based research in many Alabama counties.
Dr. Crawford holds several degrees (BA, English; MA, communications; MFA, Writers Workshop; MPH, health behavior; and PhD, health services administration). She has worked as a newspaper and magazine journalist and as a technical writer and editor. She has published more than a hundred scientific and commercial articles, as well as works of fiction.
Living adjacent to the Cahaba River, Myra created a lifetime of memories with her children But A generation later, her grandchildren are not allowed to swim because the water quality is so compromised.
Dr. Crawford connected with the waterkeeper model and has served as Executive Director since 2009. She has applied her scientific training to serve the Cahaba and the issues that beset its health.
When Myra founded CRK it was a one woman operation.
Myra has served with the Friends of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge for 9 years.
Our Board celebrating 15 years of Cahaba Riverkeeper.
Standing in front of the West Blocton theater before renovation takes place, a major milestone.
Myra receiving “2017 organization of the year” from the Friends of Shades Creek.
Myra receiving “2017 organization of the year” from the Friends of Shades Creek.
She has mentored hundreds of young people along the way.