Silver Fox Twin Roy: Why Serving on Black Warrior Riverkeeper Board Reminds Me That Every Generation Has a Responsibility to Leave Alabama Better Than We Found It

Silver Fox Twin Roy Williams has served on the board of Birmingham, Ala-based Black Warrior Riverkeeper since 2021. Roy believes it's our obligation to help protect our natural resources including rivers & forestlands. Protecting Alabama's Rivers

Black Warrior Riverkeeper's mission is to protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries, promoting clean water for public health, recreation and wildlife habitat.

Founded by Birmingham residents David Whiteside and Roger Conville in 2001, Black Warrior Riverkeeper celebrates its 25th anniversary this fall. To donate and support its mission, visit www.blackwarriorriver.org

By Roy L. Williams, Silver Fox Twin | Birmingham, Alabama

The Black Warrior River watershed stretches across portions of 17 Alabama counties, covers about 6,276 square miles and contains more than 16,000 miles of mapped streams. More than one million people live within the watershed, which is entirely contained within Alabama — the nation's leading state for freshwater biodiversity.

Black Warrior Riverkeeper's staff patrols waterways, identifies pollution problems, works to address them and educates the public about protecting this vital resource.

I am proud to support that mission.

I am also proud to live in Birmingham City Council District 1, where Councilor Clinton Woods has championed environmental protection and has participated in Black Warrior Riverkeeper cleanups.

Why I Said Yes

People know me today as one of the Silver Fox Williams Twins.

Some know me from my 25 years as a newspaper reporter. Others know me through my work promoting the Birmingham Public Library, or my love of Alabama football, travel and storytelling.

But there is another passion that has been part of my life for years:

Protecting Alabama's environment.

Charles Scribner is in his 20th year serving as executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. he asked Roy to serve on the advisory council in early 2021 and later that year to serve on the board. Roy is 2026 Vice President.

That's one reason I was honored when Charles Scribner, executive director of the Black Warrior Riverkeeper, asked me to serve on the Black Warrior Riverkeeper Advisory Council in early 2021. Later that year, I was selected to serve on the board of Black Warrior Riverkeeper; I am currently the 2026 Vice President of the Board.

For me, the mission brings together two things I've always believed in: helping people and protecting the places we call home.

During my journalism career, I learned that some of the most important stories aren't always found in city halls or courtrooms.

Sometimes they're flowing quietly through our rivers.

And clean water is something we cannot afford to take for granted.

Alabama's Water Is Worth Protecting

The Black Warrior River isn't just a beautiful part of Alabama. It is part of the state's drinking-water supply, economy, recreation and wildlife habitat.

Its watershed is home to an extraordinary variety of freshwater species, including fish, mussels, turtles and other aquatic life. Birmingham itself gets roughly half of its drinking water from the Black Warrior and its tributaries.

That's why protecting our waterways is about more than the environment.

It's about protecting Alabama.

Celebrating its 25th year, Black Warrior Riverkeeper patrols rivers and streams, investigates pollution, advocates for clean water, educates communities and holds polluters accountable.

They are a watchdog for one of Alabama's greatest natural treasures.

We All Have a Role

Protecting our rivers isn't just the responsibility of environmental organizations.

It belongs to all of us.

Sometimes it starts with simple choices:

Don't throw trash from your car. Don't dump garbage into creeks. Pick up litter when you see it. Teach children that the bottle, can or fast-food wrapper tossed onto the ground can eventually make its way into our waterways.

Cleaner neighborhoods help create cleaner rivers and healthier communities.

As Black Warrior Riverkeeper celebrates 25 years, there are many ways to become part of the mission — from donating and volunteering to reporting pollution and helping educate others about the importance of clean water.

Our rivers, forests, wildlife and communities are part of the legacy we leave behind.

I don't believe we truly own this Earth. We're borrowing it for a little while.

And I want to leave Alabama better than I found it.

Learn More

To learn more about Black Warrior Riverkeeper, volunteer, donate or find out how you can support its mission, visit www.blackwarriorriver.org

The rivers we protect today will tell tomorrow's stories.

Silver Fox Roy: Living with purpose. Serving with gratitude. Protecting what matters.

The Silver Fox Williams Twins: Two continents. One bond. A lifetime of memories — and a shared commitment to leaving the world a little better than we found it.