EMPORIUM — Information is available for Pennsylvania Wilds Region service groups and individuals interested in improving the health of Pennsylvania’s waterways
Sign up for a live webinar or request a virtual information session to learn about the master watershed steward program, which educates and empowers volunteers to carry out watershed projects and education in their communities. Sessions can be requested in December and January.
These information sessions are designed for those who want to make a positive difference in their communities, have a keen interest in the environment, are willing to learn and teach and have time to volunteer. Sessions will cover the master watershed steward program training, structure, commitment and requirements; the types of projects in which the team engages; valuable program partners; and Penn State Extension and the land-grant university system.
Among other projects, master watershed stewards: Teach adults and children about water quality, wildlife habitats and the environment; develop educational materials; organize and conduct educational events, stream clean-ups and invasive plant removal projects; design and maintain demonstration gardens; conduct stream monitoring projects and research; research and write newsletters and online articles; and partner with municipal officials on projects such as bioswales, rain gardens, native meadows, and other green stormwater management solutions.
Penn State Extension offers these sessions free of charge. Service groups in the Pennsylvania Wilds Region are encouraged to reach out to local program coordinator Travis Wingard to set up a time and date in December or January. Wingard can be reached at tww5160@psu.edu.
Spring program training begins March 18 and runs through mid-June. Applications are now being accepted through Feb. 16 for the PA Wilds Region program, including the counties of Cameron, Elk, McKean, Potter, Jefferson, Clearfield, Clarion, Forest, Centre, Clinton, Tioga and Lycoming. Interested applicants can apply online. More information and links to scheduled information sessions are available on the Penn State Extension website.
