The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced the award of more than $4 million in continued support for 66 conservation district watershed specialist positions throughout Pennsylvania.

The two-year grants, awarded under the original Growing Greener Program, enable conservation districts to plan ahead on watershed restoration and stream improvement projects knowing that funding for these key positions is secure.

Growing Greener now supports watershed specialist positions that cover watersheds in 66 of the Commonwealth’s 67 counties and provide technical assistance and coordination of watershed restoration and protection efforts.

Watershed specialists help local groups protect and improve their watersheds; provide expert advice to farmers and landowners for conservation practices; work with DEP regional watershed coordinators on all proposals and projects; and help support local Growing Greener projects in their counties.

The Conservation District Watershed Specialist Program was created in 1999 as part of the original Growing Greener Program proposed by Gov. Ridge and passed by the General Assembly.

Link: Watershed Specialists Making a Difference

7/14/2006