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PSU Extension Recruiting Residents for Master Watershed Steward Training

by Penn State Extension

Dec 10, 2021
Watershed Stewards

Penn State Extension in Berks and Schuylkill counties once again invite residents to join our team of trained Watershed Stewards, making valuable impacts in our communities.

The Master Watershed Steward program provides extensive coursework in water and natural resources with ongoing volunteer and educational opportunities that allow participants to make a difference in their communities. We are seeking individuals who enjoy learning, have the desire and time to volunteer and appreciate working with others. No prior scientific or environmental knowledge necessary – just an interest in giving back and learning about the watershed issues that affect our communities.

This spring’s training will again be a hybrid class with virtual sessions being held via Zoom on Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. starting March 3, 2022, and running through June 16, 2022. In-person, outdoor field experiences will be scheduled with COVID-19 safety measures in place for select weekend days to augment the online lessons.

In exchange for 40 hours of instruction, candidates must agree to contribute 50 hours of volunteer service their first year, followed by 20 hours per year thereafter. Volunteer activities available to Master Watershed Stewards include organizing educational events, designing demonstration rain gardens, leading live staking workshops, organizing stream cleanups, planting riparian forest buffers, working with municipal officials to plant native meadows, monitoring streams for bacteria and other water quality data, and more.

To learn more about the program, you can tune in to one of two information session, which will include a Q&A portion for participants to get all their questions answered. These information sessions will outline the full goals and expectations of the program, including what volunteers will gain and can anticipate from the program, and provide local program details for our spring offering. Information sessions are free, but registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar.

  • Session #1: Tuesday, January 4, 2022, 7:00 p.m.
  • Session #2: Thursday, January 6, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.

Register for the information sessions here: https://extension.psu.edu/master-watershed-steward-information-session-for-berks-and-schuylkill-counties. Residents who are ready to apply to the program, can submit an online application at https://tinyurl.com/MWSapply or request a hardcopy application by calling 610-378-1327 and asking for Natalie.

The Master Watershed Steward Program, established to conserve local watersheds by educating and empowering volunteers across the Commonwealth, has over 700 participants in 30 Pennsylvania counties. Master Watershed Stewards have collectively contributed over 50,000 volunteer hours improving Pennsylvania watersheds and have fostered strong connections to other local conservation programs and organizations. We are excited to add more volunteer members to our team in Berks and Schuylkill counties.

For more information about the Master Watershed Steward Program, please contact program coordinator Natalie Marioni by telephone at 610-378-1327 or by email at [email protected].

The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at 610-378-1327 in advance of your participation or visit.

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