Applications Now Being Accepted For 2021 The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program

Press release from Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce:

December 02, 2020

Contact Erin Frederick, elf145@psu.edu, 610-391-9840

Applications now being accepted for 2021 Master Watershed Steward Program

The Penn State Extension Luzerne & Lackawanna offices are now accepting applications for the 2021 Master Watershed Steward Program. The program is designed to provide people who are enthusiastic about the environment with the information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others.

An information session will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, January 6th at 6:30 p.m. For more information and to register, visit:

extension.psu.edu/programs/watershed-stewards/counties/northeastern-pa

Master Watershed Stewards receive 40 hours of training on topics including water quality, stream health, native plants, recreational resources, and groundwater. After completing the training session, students fulfill 50 hours of volunteer service. In subsequent years, Master Watershed Stewards can maintain their status through 20 hours of volunteer time to watershed projects or programs, and attending a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education training. Examples of projects and programs include designing and installing demonstration rain gardens or streamside plantings, teaching children about stream ecology, and organizing educational workshops that address such topics as backyard conservation or homeowner storm water management.

This spring’s training will be held virtually via Zoom on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. starting March 3rd and running through June 2nd. Optional in-person field experiences will be scheduled with COVID-19 safety measures in place.

The Lackawanna and Luzerne Master Watershed Steward Program is a collaborative effort between Penn State Extension, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Conservation Districts, Lackawanna River Conservation Association, PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources, PA Dept. of Environmental Protection, PA American Water, Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority and several other important partners.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

This press release was produced by Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.