York County Master Watershed Stewards Program

York County has trained seven classes of Master Watershed Stewards and will be training a new class in March 2023. The training will be virtual with some in-person field trips and will be combined with other counties across the state. We currently have approximately eighty enthusiastic individuals from across the county teaching the community about water resources. Master Watershed Stewards are also busy completing on-the-ground restoration projects such as rain gardens, riparian buffers, stream clean-ups, bioswales and more.

York County Master Watershed Stewards at Northeastern School District Riparian Buffer Planting

York County's MWS Program was started with the assistance of our program partners - the York County Conservation District and the Watershed Alliance of York. We partner with many conservation organizations, government agencies, and municipalities throughout the county to educate the community about water resources and to implement restoration projects to improve the health of our local streams and rivers. The MWS trainees work on group projects and become official Master Watershed Stewards after volunteering the required 50 hours their first year. So far, the program has been a great success, and we look forward to the program growing in York County and across the state too!

The next Master Watershed Steward training in York will begin in March 2023. If you are interested in joining this training, please complete the application below.

Application Form to Become a Master Watershed Steward

If you have questions contact Jodi Sulpizio, Natural Resources Educator and Master Watershed Steward Coordinator, at jrb143@psu.edu or (717)840-7429.

York Lifetime Statistics

80+ Master Watershed Stewards
19,874 Volunteer hours
Educated 33,610 people

Local Program Partners

Watershed Alliance of York
York County Conservation District
Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association
ALLARM (Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring/Dickinson College)
York County Parks
York County Planning Commission
PA DCNR
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Susquehanna River Basin Commission
Shank's Mare Outfitters
PA Sea Grant
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
City of York
Stroud Water Research Center
Horn Farm Center
Mid-Atlantic Youth Angler & Outdoor Partners
DreamWrights Center for Community Arts
Northeastern School District
Fairview Township
Jackson Township
Windsor Township
York Township

Program Supporters

The York County Master Watershed Steward Program has received funding from the following:

County of York
York Water Company
York County Community Foundation
S.H.A.R.E. (Sandy Hollow Arts and Recreation for the Environment)
PA DCNR
PA DEP
Starview Sportsmen's Association
Powder Mill Foundation
Giant
PA American Water

Fundraisers

Reusable (Metal) straws

Help slow the use of plastics and support the Master Watershed Steward Program at the same time by purchasing a reusable straw.
Includes straw, cleaning brush, and carrying case. Price is $5.00 each.
To purchase straws, contact Jodi at jrb143@psu.edu.

Native Tree Sale

Every August with delivery in October

Give Local York

May 2023

Rain Barrel Sales

We sell rain barrels for $65 throughout the year

Social Media

Ask a Question

Send your water-related and environmental questions to AskaMWS@psu.edu

If you're wondering what watershed you live in, how to manage aquatic plants in your backyard pond, how you can safely use rain barrel water, what are things you can do to keep your streamside healthy, what plants are best for your rain garden, or any other water-related topic, Master Watershed Stewards will do the research and get back to you!

Watershed-Friendly Property Certification Program

Watershed-Friendly Property Certification recognizes landowners who incorporate best practices in managing and protecting water resources and provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators on their property. In addition, the certification recognizes landowners who make a commitment to minimize their potential impact on water quality by using less harmful chemicals and maintain good housekeeping of their property. In order to achieve this certification, individuals and organizations must commit to working towards the objectives of the Watershed-Friendly Property Program, which include:

Reducing stormwater runoff.
Reducing pollution.
Conserving water.
Supporting wildlife and pollinators.

Learn more about this program from our partner the Nurture Nature Center.

Complete the online application.

Street 2 Creek Storm Drain Art Project

Educating the community about the importance of good water quality through storm drain art.

Master Watershed Stewards have partnered with the City of York, the Watershed Alliance of York and the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association to raise citizen awareness and help educate the York community about the connection between storm drains and local creeks. To date, 20 storm drains have been painted with unique artwork by various artists from the community.

Visit the Street 2 Creek website to learn more about the on-going project.

Penn State Extension was awarded the 2022 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence for the Street 2 Creek Project.