Penn State Extension in York County is accepting applications for the Master Watershed Steward Training that will begin on Wednesday, March 3. The program was launched in 2016 in York County.

After completing the 40-hour course, trainees must volunteer 50 hours for Penn State Extension their first year. York County currently has over 70 Master Watershed Stewards in York County volunteering in the community to improve the health of local streams, rivers, and other natural resources. They teach adults and children about the environment, organize stream cleanups, design demonstration rain gardens, monitor streams, work with municipal officials to plant riparian buffers, and more.

A virtual information session will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 6. To register, readers may visit https://extension.psu.edu/programs/watershed-stewards, click "Master Watershed Steward Program Accepting Applications for 2021," and follow the registration link after the information session dates and times. The training will be virtual this year due to the pandemic and will consist of weekly classes from March 3 through late May. There is a program fee to cover the cost of training materials and expenses.

Applications are being accepted through January. Readers may visit https://extension.psu.edu/programs/watershed-stewards/counties/york to complete an application. They may contact Jodi Sulpizio, Master Watershed Steward coordinator, at 717-840-7408 or jrb143@psu.edu for more information.