By Mary Wilson, Allegheny County Master Watershed Steward Coordinator

A partnership with parks in Allegheny County trains Watershed Stewards for local stream assessments.

While temperatures are forcing most folks inside, Master Watershed Stewards in Allegheny County are gearing up to assess the streams in the nine county parks in Allegheny County.

Three teams will assess streams in three parks each year for biological health, chemical health, and channel condition. Stream assessments can challenge the hardiest of souls.

During a training session in November with Duquesne University professor Dr. Brady Porter and environmental educator Jessica Kester, the group endured hail, high winds, rain, and sun within a 4-hour window.

The wintry weather of January and February isn't keeping them from further preparations as they do reconnaissance work in the first parks on their list.

The results of this assessment will provide a baseline for managing the parks' waterways and help to identify potential sites meriting restoration or mitigation projects.

Valuable grant support for the project has been obtained by our program partner the Allegheny County Parks Foundation from the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.

We are truly grateful for the dedication of all involved.

[Learn more about this program in your county by visiting the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program webpage.]

(Reprinted from Feb. 19 Watershed Winds newsletter from Penn State Extension.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

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[Posted: February 19, 2021]

2/22/2021