The French, Hay, and Pickering Creeks of northern Chester County and southern Berks County are vital tributaries to the Schuylkill River. Join the effort to study them and keep them beautiful as a Schuylkill Water Steward volunteer! 

The deadline to register for the Spring Class is March 8.

Schuylkill Water Stewards is part of an innovative, science-driven initiative – launched in 2013 by the William Penn Foundation – that seeks to protect and restore water resources in the Delaware River Watershed. 

In northern Chester and southern Berks Counties, participants in the initiative are focused on preserving land around the tributaries of the Schuylkill River, including the French, Hay, and Pickering Creeks.

Maintaining natural areas around streams is one of the most effective ways to keep them clean and to minimize the impacts of stormwater. 

Schuylkill Water Stewards play an important role in gathering information about the current health of the creeks and, ultimately, providing the data needed to measure the impact of land preservation efforts in the area.

Schuylkill Water Steward volunteers participate in five fun and engaging, weekend training sessions on the science of healthy watersheds, threats to local streams, water sampling techniques, and more. 

An emphasis is placed on hands-on training in the field. 

Training begins on Saturday, March 18, and continues through Saturday, April 29.  Following training, SWS volunteers will be part of a network that conducts water quality sampling and collects information on aquatic wildlife and their habitats. 

Additional volunteer opportunities can include stream cleanups and other restoration activities.

The Schuylkill Water Stewards program is a partnership of the Green Valley’s Watershed Association, Natural Lands Trust, Audubon Pennsylvania, Berks Nature, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust and the Hay Creek Watershed Association.

Learn more about the program and to sign up, visit the Schuylkill Water Steward website or direct questions to the Green Valleys Watershed Association by sending email to: gva@greenvalleys.org or call 610-469-4900.

[Posted: Jan. 23, 2017]

1/30/2017