Master Watershed Stewards, Penn State Extension York County

WHO ARE WE? The Master Watershed Steward program transforms citizens into a managed, educated, organized volunteer force addressing local conservation priorities. A key strength of the program is its focus on collaboration, working with a broad partnership of local and state organizations, agencies, and government. People who want to make a difference are given the information and the opportunity to do so, guided by local conservation professionals who organize, supervise, and engage the volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities and their water quality.

The program trains citizens in the basics of water and natural resource science. The training program delivers over 40 hours of instruction to participants, and connects them with ongoing volunteer opportunities. These opportunities involve working with conservation partners on outreach, education, and on-the-ground projects in their own communities. With each passing year, the Stewards become more confident in their knowledge and their ability to make a difference.

York County began the Master Watershed Steward Program in 2016 and has successfully trained over seventy volunteers. Together they are educating the community about water resources and are busy doing on-the-ground projects to improve the quality of our streams and rivers.

PROJECTS include stormdrain art, stream monitoring, vernal pool monitoring, stream clean-ups, invasive species removal, planting riparian forest buffers, rain gardens, bioswales, and more. One of our largest projects was planting a 20-acre riparian buffer at Northeastern School District. Involving students and the community with this project was very rewarding.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS include Watershed Friendly Property Certification, rain barrel workshops, Speaker's Bureau presentations, programs for schools, summer camps, libraries, scouts and other community groups as well as setting up educational booths at community events. One of our favorite educational events is the Youth & Family Fishing & Conservation Day at Kiwanis Lake in the City of York. In 2024, 100 youth and over 200 adults participated in th

e event.Lifetime Statistics in York County (2016-2024): 28,521 Volunteer hours valued at $849,355. Educated 48,917

people.Annual Statistics in York

County:2024: 4,393 volunteer hours, valued at $130,824. Educated 6,963 adults an

d youth.2023: 4,254 volunteer hours, valued at $126,672. Educated 8,344 adults an

d youth.2022:  4,201 volunteer hours, valued at $125,826. Educated 5,068 adults an

d youth.2021: 4,138 volunteer hours, valued at $118.099. Educated 3,168 adults an

d youth.2020: 2,707 volunteer hours, valued at $73,852. Educated 2,817 adults an

d youth.2019: 3,598 volunteer hours, valued at $91,497. Educated 2,668 adults and 4,43

7 youth."I am so thankful for all the Master Watershed Steward Program has provided me. The education and field trips and the relationships that have been fostered through the education and volunteering opportunities have been amazing and top notch. The time spent and the people it is spent with are my happy place. I have found the purpose I was looking for as I start planning for my retirement in about five years or so." Stephan

ie LowerYouth & Family Fishing &

Conservation Day"I've been an environmental professional for over 20 years, and the Penn State Master Watershed Stewards are unmatched in terms of enhancing and safeguarding our local waters. I've enjoyed every moment of being a Steward from educating students about caring for our resources to providing hands-on support for projects that protect our water. If you want to make a difference, the Master Watershed Stewards show you how."

Brian GuzzoneMaster Watershed Stewards at Riparian

Buffer Planting“I had some experience working with the Master Watershed Stewards over the past few years, covering plantings and educational activities for our local newspaper. Being an avid outdoorsman, I see, first-hand, the impact of pollution and storm water run-off to our waterways. Now as a Master Watershed Steward, I have the knowledge and experience to actually make a difference for the local lakes, streams and rivers that I paddle, fish, hunt and camp along. I would strongly encourage anyone with a love of the outdoors to take part in the Master Watershed Steward Program!

John PavoncelloWater is the driving forc

e of all nature.

2024 Statistics 80

+ MWS volunteers16 Conse

rvation Partners47 Ed

ucational events35 Schools received educ

ational support 38 stream sites sampled routinely f

or water quality5,180 trees and li

vestakes planted8,154 herbaceou

s plants planted50 rain bar

rels distributed35 acres of habitat pro

jects maintained542 bags of trash removed from York Cou

nty waterways!!!Master Watershed Stewards planted a stormwater basin along the York County Heritage Rail Trail in 2024 with Rotary Club of North York who funded the project. If you have project ideas for your watershed/community, p

lease reach out!Vernal…