Master Watershed Steward Program

The Master Watershed Steward program began in Pennsylvania in 2013 as a collaboration between Watershed Coalition of  Lehigh Valley and Penn State Extension. This structure which encourages environmental stewardship through empowering citizens with nonprofit subsided education in ecological sciences developed mindfully around Water Quality, Storm water management and flooding, agricultural impacts on water quality, and policy in each State and County.

Demeanors of science taught in Master Watershed Steward Program

These classes are broken down into demeanors of science based on these Core Lessons as it relates to Pennsylvania Curriculum:

• Lesson A: Water and Watershed Basics

• Lesson B: Water and the Law in Pennsylvania

• Lesson C: Watershed Landscapes

• Lesson D: Overview of Land Use Impacts

• Lesson E: Soil, Groundwater, and Geology

• Lesson F: Climate

• Lesson G: Drinking Water and Wastewater

• Lesson H: Natural Gas and Abandoned Mine Drainage (Elective Lesson)

• Lesson I: Wildlife in the Watershed

• Lesson J: Entomology (study of insects)

• Lesson K: Stream Restoration

• Lesson L: Proper Tree Planting Technique

• Lesson N: Homeowner Best Management Practices (BMPs)

• Lesson O: Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)

• Lesson P: Lake and Pond Ecology

• Lesson Q: Natives and Invasives

• Lesson R: Monitoring

• Lesson S: Stream and River Recreation

• Lesson T: Communication and Community Engagement

You learn about your local environment usually the county you live in. You will have each class curriculum developed by and taught by leading scientists in your area from nonprofits, business and the government highlighting the unique characteristics of the land as well as current problems which scientists are tasked with. Whether it be remediating or lessening the impact of these problems, this valuable program welcomes the community and the broad knowledge of cross occupational and life experiences as a exponential benefit as it relates to solving problems.

Master Watershed Steward Projects Examples

Master Watershed Stewards work with the community to improve the health of our streams, rivers and other natural resources.

• Organizing educational events such as rain barrel building workshops and seminars on backyard stormwater management.

• Participating in stream restoration projects.

• Sampling water quality and stream assessments.

• Coordinating and conducting stream clean-ups.

• Working with municipal officials on stormwater.

• Planning and carrying out habitat improvement projects.

• Teaching adults and children about the environment.

The Master Watershed Steward program, currently is available in multiple states, sometimes funded by Seagrant which helps further environmental knowledge with the intent to encourage the protection of and remediation of natural habitats and Waterways.

Master Watershed Steward Programs by State 

For more information on applying for the Master Watershed Steward Programs in your state from the list below:

• Arizona Extension (Water) Programs

• Illinois Master Watershed Steward Program 

• Indiana (Purdue) Master Watershed Steward Program

• Maryland (University of Maryland Extension) Master Watershed Steward Program 

• Pennsylvania Master Watershed Steward Program

Cost:

The Entire cost varies from state to state but you can expect to pay around $185 - $200 for the entire class.

Other Extension Educational programs and resources

• Master Naturalist Program

• Penn State Extension Services

• Best Management Practices (BMPs)

• Reforestation, Floodplain, and Buffer projects