Individuals interested in joining Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward Program in Berks County can attend one of three upcoming information meetings on January 14, 28 or February 11 starting at 6:00 at the Berks County Ag Center auditorium, 1238 County Welfare Road in Leesport.

Individuals with an interest in the environment, a willingness to learn more and a strong desire to make a difference in the community are excellent candidates for this program.

To become a Master Watershed Steward, you must complete 40 hours of training and fulfill 50 hours of volunteer service within the first year.

After becoming certified, you maintain your status by giving at least 20 volunteer hours and attending at least 10 hours of continuing education annually.

Master Watershed Stewards are volunteers trained to become citizen scientists. They educate the public about water and perform "boots on the ground" projects to help improve the water quality in Berks County.

Please bring your calendar or schedule to the information meeting. Applications may be obtained by stopping in to the Berks County Ag Center any weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or by contacting the coordinator, Karin Wulkowicz at 610-378-1327 or by sending email to: krw42@psu.edu.

Applications may also be picked up at any of the information meetings. Application deadline is January 31.  Applications should be received in the Ag Center office by that date.

No prior watershed knowledge is required. Volunteers will be educated on the subjects they will need to know.

The Berks County Master Watershed Steward Program is a partnership between Penn State Extension, Berks County Conservation District, Berks Nature and other environmental partners.

Click Here to learn more.  Questions can be directed to Karin Wulkowicz by calling 610-378-1327 ext. 221 or send email to: krw42@psu.edu.

Master Watershed Steward Programs are now operating in Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Wyoming and York counties.

To learn more about Master Watershed Steward Programs available in your county or if you are interested in starting one, visit the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards webpage.  Questions can be directed to Erin Frederick at 610-391-9840 or send email to: elf145@psu.edu.

(Photo: Berks County Master Watershed Stewards in action.)

Related Stories:

DEP Awards Grants To Help Train Volunteer Master Watershed Stewards, Students In Farm Conservation Practices

PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee Meets Jan. 16

Agriculture, DEP Launch Public-Private High Performance Farms Initiative For Health, Environmental, Economic Benefits In Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Chesapeake Bay Foundation: 2018 Bay Health Score Drops; EPA Must Hold PA Accountable To Achieve Pollution Reduction Milestones

Bay Journal: Scientists Waiting To See If Record 2018 Rainfall Dampens Chesapeake Bay Recovery

Bay Journal Op-Ed: 2019 Conservation Commitment Tied To Memories, Plans For Future

DEP Awards 14 New Grants In 12 Counties For Water Quality Improvement This Week; Over $11.6 Million In Growing Greener Grants Announced So Far

[Posted: Jan. 11, 2019]

1/14/2019