For more information, contact Shannon Frankosky, Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, at slf855@psu.edu or check out the website, linked below.
If you are interested in becoming a Master Watershed Steward you can learn more during the fall and winter virtual information sessions. Contact Shannon for more information
Volunteer activities available to Master Watershed Stewards include organizing educational events, designing demonstration rain gardens, leading live staking workshops, organizing stream cleanups, planting and monitoring riparian forest buffers, working with municipal officials to plant native meadows, stream water quality monitoring, educational presentations to the public, and more. For more detailed information about the program, attend one of our live information sessions or visit: Lehigh and Northampton Counties — County Programs — Master Watershed Steward Program
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 610-813-6616 and asking for Shannon Frankosky.
The Master Watershed Program in the Lehigh Valley
In 2013, the WCLV collaborated with Penn State Cooperative Extension to create Pennsylvania’s first Master Watershed Steward program. Today, the Lehigh Valley program has nearly 100 active volunteers, and new county programs are in the works throughout the Commonwealth.The Penn State Master Watershed Steward program was established to strengthen local capacity for management and protection of watersheds, streams, and rivers, by educating and empowering volunteers. The program provides interested individuals with extensive training in watershed management. In return for the training, participants dedicate volunteer time to educate the community about watershed stewardship based on university research and recommendations.
Training and volunteer service are coordinated at the county level by extension staff, partners, or trained volunteers. Generally 15-20 people are selected for the program each year. Those accepted to the program attend training classes that focus on a broad range of water resource topics, including groundwater, stream ecology, wetlands, invasive plants, water recreation and stormwater management. There is a one-time registration cost to those accepted into the program. This is to cover the cost of the manual, name tag, and cost of the meeting facilities.
What do Penn State Master Watershed Stewards do?
Master Watershed Stewards work with the community to improve the health of our streams and rivers.
Example projects include:
- Organizing educational and informational workshops for the public, students and municipal officials on topics such as rain barrels, wildlife, pollution prevention, stormwater management, and invasive plant control
- Organizing and executing stream clean ups
- Designing and installing demonstration rain gardens
- Monitoring streams for bacteria
- Carrying out stream bank restoration projects
What is required of a Penn State Master Watershed Steward?
To become a Master Watershed Steward, you need a keen interest in the environment, a willingness to learn more and most importantly, a strong desire to make a difference in the community. Whether you are a teacher, an accountant, a construction worker, a homemaker, or retired, you can become a Master Watershed Steward!
To become a certified Master Watershed Steward, you must complete a minimum of 40 hours of training and fulfill 20 hours of volunteer service. In subsequent years, you can maintain your Master Watershed Steward status by giving at least 20 additional volunteer hours and attending at least 10 hours of update training annually.
Where is the Master Watershed Steward Program offered?
For a full and current listing of where the program is offered, check out their county webpage.
How do I become a Penn State Master Watershed Steward in the Lehigh Valley?
Contact Shannon Frankosky at slf855@psu.edu
If you would like to establish a program in your county, contact Erin Frederick at 610-391-9840 or elf145@psu.edu.