The Penn State Master Watershed Steward Program in Armstrong, Indiana and Westmoreland  counties will be training a new class of volunteers this coming fall.

The program, which serves as a model for counties across Pennsylvania, provides 40 hours of water and natural resource training for citizens who have an interest in the environment, a willingness to learn more and a strong desire to make a difference in the community.

After training, volunteers are able to engage in a number of projects in the region to help protect streams, rivers and wildlife habitat on an on-going basis.

Examples of watershed projects and programs include designing and installing demonstration rain gardens or streamside plantings and organizing educational workshops that address such topics as backyard conservation or homeowner stormwater management.

The new training program will begin August 17 and continue subsequent Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. through late November and will be held online via Zoom webinars unless permitted to switch to in-person classes.

The curriculum also features three hands-on field trips.

Info Sessions

Information sessions will be held via Zoom on July 13, 15 and 20 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Click on county to register--

-- July 13: Westmoreland County

-- July 15: Indiana County

-- July 20: Armstrong County

Attend any of the three sessions if you cannot make the one scheduled for your specific county.

For more information about the program, costs and volunteer commitment, or to request an application for the 2020 training program, contact Justin Mansberger at 724-858-4213 or by email to: jxm5608@psu.edu. 

The Master Watershed Steward Program is active in a growing number of counties, including-- Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Wyoming and York counties.

Contact them to find out more through your local Penn State Extension Office or learn more by visiting the Master Watershed Steward webpage.  Questions can be directed to Erin Frederick at 610-391-9840 or send email to: elf145@psu.edu.

Related Articles:

PEC Blog: PEC, Partners Overcame COVID-19 Obstacles To Plant 76,000 Tree Seedlings, Reforest Over 62 Acres Of Abandoned Mine Lands

750+ Trees Planted So Far This Spring By Lebanon Valley Conservancy, Volunteers

Western PA Conservancy Offering Free Trees For Cleaner Water In Juniata River, West Branch Susquehanna River Watersheds

PA Trout Unlimited: Keystone Coldwater Conference Put Focus On Conservation, Education

Minsi Lake Habitat Improvements In Northampton County Recognized By National Fish Habitat Partnership

Penn State Master Watershed Steward Program Training Available In Armstrong, Indiana, Westmoreland

Pike Conservation District: How Your Backyard Activities Affect Your Lake Webinars

[Posted: June 2, 2020]

6/8/2020