Justinn Overton

Coosa Riverkeeper

Justinn Overton’s life is shaped by the outdoors. She spent countless days swimming as a child in Logan Martin Lake, hiking in National Parks in college, and still loves to explore the natural beauty of the southeast.

Justinn graduated magna cum laude from the New College program at the University of Alabama with a degree in Environmental Advocacy. There she earned the Dean Bernie Sloan Spirit of New College Award for her campus-wide grassroots organizing efforts to her “Greener Way for UA” campaign. She holds a Master’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management from University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Justinn joined Coosa Riverkeeper as the Executive Director in 2012 and has served as the Staff Riverkeeper since 2020. As the Executive Director and Riverkeeper, she ensures Coosa Riverkeeper has the resources needed to fight for swimmable, drinkable, and fishable water. She also coordinates many other aspects of our organization including our strategic planning, public presentations, grassroots organizing, and community engagement. She provides direction to our staff, volunteers, and robust internship programs with local universities.

As Riverkeeper, Justinn patrols and documents the Coosa River and its tributaries from the land, water, and air, looks for pollution problems, responds to citizen complaints, researches and analyzes polluters’ permits, collects pollution samples for laboratory analysis, educates the public about the beauty of the river and threats to it, advocates compliance with environmental laws, works on finding solutions to pollution problems, and is a spokesperson for the Coosa River.

Justinn was named a 2023 River Hero by Alabama Rivers Alliance and a Woman Making Waves. In 2015, she was one of four women highlighted by Southern Living as “Women of Worth,” a short list of women who are dedicated to improving the lives of Southerners in need. She served as the President of Waterkeepers Alabama from 2020-2022 and continues to serve on the Leadership Council.

Justinn is happiest when she’s outside– swimming, canoeing, hiking, gardening or camping– with her husband, Spence, and their dog Stella Blue.