On January 10, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of 2 grants to Penn State University totaling $181,038 to help train volunteer Master Watershed Stewards and support internships for students on farm conservation practices.

A $111,038 grant will expand Penn State University’s Master Watershed Steward Program into Cumberland and Lancaster counties. This program provides watershed management training to volunteers, who then dedicate time to water quality project implementation, research, and community education.

The second grant, for $70,000, will be for internships for students trained in farm conservation and best management practice techniques. These interns will work with county conservation districts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and will gain practical, hands-on experience in farmland conservation efforts.

“These grants will develop the next generation of water and farmland stewards,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Investing in students and new volunteers now will pay dividends in the future.”

The Growing Greener grant program is supported by the Environmental Stewardship Fund, which receives its funding from landfill tipping fees and a transfer from the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund.

Click Here for more information on DEP’s Growing Greener Plus Grant Program.

(Photo: Training volunteers for the Master Watershed Steward Program.)

Related Story:

Berks County Master Watershed Stewards Volunteer Information Meetings Jan. 14, 28, Feb. 11 In Leesport

[Posted: Jan. 10, 2019]

1/14/2019