By Blake Jackson
More than 70 Extension Master Watershed Stewards from across Pennsylvania gathered July 18-20 for a weekend filled with learning, sharing, and exploring. Participants connected with water professionals, exchanged ideas, and toured local natural and historical sites.
Some attendees enjoyed a camp-style stay in campus dorms, while others opted for hotel accommodations, but for all, the retreat provided inspiration and fresh perspectives.
The event began Friday evening with Penn State ice cream and an informal poster session showcasing volunteer projects, educational displays, and tools for outreach. The session also included candid reflections on the challenges of stewardship.
One participant bravely shared the experience with a rain garden that did not perform as expected after a major rainfall, reminding everyone that even with the best intentions, projects sometimes require adjustments.
On Saturday morning, District 8 Allegheny Council Representative Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis opened the day by discussing her work on water issues, both in her current role and from her time at the Western PA Conservancy. She expressed gratitude for the program, noting that “Local expertise is invaluable.”
Attendees then heard an eye-opening presentation on plastic pollution from Hannah Hohman of Three Rivers Waterkeeper and Lauren Pearman of Allegheny Cleanways. They addressed the impacts of plastics at every stage, stressing that “plastics pollute at every point of their lifecycle.”
Breakout sessions led by Master Watershed Steward volunteers followed, covering topics such as macroinvertebrates, riparian buffer projects, and stream assessments.
Later sessions featured discussions on surface water temperatures, the Watershed Friendly Program, and roundtable conversations.
The breadth of knowledge shared underscored the program’s value to communities. As one participant noted, “Networking and listening to another steward present on a project was something I could take away and do.”
Saturday afternoon included field trips to local sites, followed by a picnic, a presentation on the Seneca people’s history in western Pennsylvania, and a film about aquatic invasive species.
The retreat concluded Sunday morning with additional tours before participants departed, motivated to continue their work in protecting and improving waterways.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-stockseller_ukr
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business