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Hello partners for water quality!We have much news to share on progress by state, local, and sector partners to improve water quality by reducing nutrient and sediment pollution in Pennsylvania waterways that eventually flow to the Chesapeake Bay.
For more details on Pennsylvania’s Phase 3 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan (Phase 3 WIP) and Countywide Action Planning, visit the Phase 3 WIP website. For a broader educational look at nutrient and sediment pollution in local streams, rivers, and lakes in the watershed, including tips and success stories, visit Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities.
Please consider how you might join in or help support this work. Check out each county’s Phase 3 WIP Countywide Action Plan (CAP) and make connections with your county team! Also, please share this newsletter with your networks, and encourage them to subscribe!
— DEP Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management (BWRNSM)
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DEP Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management (BWRNSM)
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2026 Annual Section 319 Field Tour in the Halfmoon Creek Watershed
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s BWRNSM Watershed Support Section was pleased to host representatives from EPA Region 3 for the 2026 Annual Section 319 Field Tour in the Halfmoon Creek Watershed. The tour highlighted projects funded through numerous sources including the Clean Water Act’s Section 319 Program, which supports local efforts to reduce nonpoint source pollution and improve water quality through watershed restoration and conservation practices.
Partners in this effort included the Centre County Conservation District, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Chesapeake Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and participating landowners. It was a great day focused on showcasing watershed restoration efforts, agricultural best management practices, and collaborative work to improve local water quality.
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DEP and Region 3 EPA Staff at Halfmoon Creek Field Tour
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Upcoming Webinar Wednesday Schedule and Topics
The DEP BWRNSM Watershed Accountability and Administration Section hosts a webinar series on the first Wednesday of each month. Designed primarily for CAP program coordinators and county partners, these webinars provide updates, guidance, and discussion on a variety of topics related to watershed conservation and project implementation. Sessions are recorded and publicly available on PA Clean Water Academy. Upcoming Webinar Wednesday topics include:
- August 5, Introduction to Chapter 105 Permitting
- September 2, Watershed Assessment for Restoration Potential Dashboard Tool. The dashboard will quickly screen watersheds within a county to identify areas with both special protection and agriculturally impaired reaches, which have high response rates to water quality health improvement interventions.
For more information on upcoming Webinar Wednesdays please contact Kate Beats (Kbeats@pa.gov)
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Programs and Projects by Local, State, and Federal Partners
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Shapiro Administration Invests More Than $400,000 to Support Upper Conestoga Watershed Improvements, Highlights Work at Zeiset Farm During Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week
On June 9, DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley, Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Tim Schaeffer, State Conservation Commission Executive Secretary Douglas Wolfgang, and Department of Agriculture staff highlighted watershed improvement work in Berks County along the headwaters of the East Branch of the Conestoga River. The visit showcased work made possible in part through DEP CAP Implementation Funds and recognized Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week.
Doug and Michele Zeiset worked with DEP, Berks County Conservation District (BCCD), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and others to implement a variety of conservation practices on their 170-acre dairy farm, including conservation planning, stormwater diversion, roof runoff control, manure storage, animal heavy use area management, prescribed grazing, and streambank fencing with stream crossings to restrict livestock access to streams. The project was completed over a four-year period using a combination of state and federal funding sources, including DEP CAP implementation funds.
BCCD received $372,896 from DEP through the Water Quality Improvement Program along the Mariner East 2 Pipeline Corridor, $20,000 from Stroud Water Research Center, Conservation Reserve and Enhancement Program cost shares and incentives, as well as $29,125 from DEP’s Chesapeake Bay CAP Implementation Grant to implement the project.
The project reflects the Shapiro Administration’s investment in agricultural conservation and stream restoration, which has helped restore stream health and improve aquatic life use conditions in the Upper Conestoga watershed. The restored stream segment at the project site reflects the 2026 Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week theme: “Built by Nature, Protected Together.”
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Conservation project on Zeiset Farm
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Visit to Zeiset Farm as part of Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week
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Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Plants 10 Millionth Tree in Pennsylvania
On May 26, the ceremonial 10 millionth tree was planted as part of the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership in Schaffner Park in Dauphin County. This major milestone in watershed restoration and community collaboration was attended by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley, alongside the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Launched in Spring 2018, the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is a broad coalition working to strengthen Pennsylvania’s communities, economy, and ecology; bringing together national, regional, state, and local agencies, conservation organizations, outdoor enthusiasts, businesses, and residents. With this planting, the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership successfully reached its goal of planting 10 million new trees across priority landscapes in Pennsylvania.
DCNR has served as an active member of the Keystone 10 million Trees Partnership Advisory Workgroup, supporting coordination and communication with partners and landowners across the Commonwealth.
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10 Million Trees Partnership Planting Event
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The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s 9th Annual Urban Agriculture Week
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is excited to begin planning their 9th annual Urban Agriculture Week, July 13–17, a statewide celebration highlighting the important role urban farms, community gardens, and local food initiatives play in strengthening Pennsylvania communities.
They invited organizations, farms, schools, nonprofits, and community groups to participate by hosting events or activities that showcase urban agriculture in their communities. Potential activities may include farm or garden tours, educational workshops, volunteer days, youth programs, demonstrations, or community open houses. To help them coordinate events and support partners across the state, please take a moment to complete this short interest form. The form should take less than ten minutes to complete. The responses will help the Department of Agriculture build a statewide calendar of events and identify opportunities to promote and support local activities during Urban Agriculture Week.
Please note that submission of this interest form does not guarantee that the proposed event will be a scheduled visit on the Department of Agriculture’s statewide tour during Urban Agriculture Week. Due to scheduling, travel limitations, and program priorities, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture may not be able to accommodate all requests.
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Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds Awards More Than $300,000 in Conservation Grants
On June 9, the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds announced more than $300,000 in grant awards to advance the protection and restoration of Pennsylvania’s waterways. Awardees will use the funds to improve water quality and enhance ecosystems across the state through stream restoration, land protection, water quality monitoring, and outreach and education projects.
Funding was awarded to 22 conservation projects, five of which support organizations within the Chesapeake Bay watershed including Berks Nature, Chesapeake Legal Alliance, and the Watershed Alliance of York.
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Save the Date: Intro to Conservation Planning Course
The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the State Conservation Commission (SCC) to deliver a three-day Introduction to Conservation Planning course. This free training is scheduled for October 20-22, at the Iron Valley Golf Club, 201 Iron Valley Dr., Lebanon County.
The event is for entry-level employees of all organizations in Pennsylvania that deliver conservation planning technical assistance, including but not limited to NRCS, conservation districts, SCC, farmland preservation entities, and non-profits. This training is only for those interested in writing conservation plans and becoming NRCS Certified Conservation Planners or apprentices. The training is free, and lunch will be provided.
The application period will start in July. Email PACD Director of Communications and Education Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org to be notified when the application period opens.
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Join Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council for a Discussion on Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Maintenance in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Join Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC) for the next Today's Menu webinar and explore a new resource focused on Green Infrastructure Maintenance in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The CCLC, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and Hirschman Water & Environment have been talking with practitioners across the region about what it really takes to maintain GSI long-term. The result is a new white paper that digs into maintenance challenges, workforce needs, budgeting, design considerations, and lessons learned from people doing this work every day.
The webinar will share some of the key findings, practical recommendations, and examples from around the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Whether you're designing BMPs, maintaining them, managing contracts, or overseeing programs, there should be something here for you. This virtual webinar will take place on July 9, from 12:00 – 1:00 and is free to attend but does require advanced registration.
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Upcoming Meadow Management Workshop
Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) is offering a 2-day Meadow Management Workshop on July 21 (virtual) and July 23 (in person). This workshop will focus on managing meadows over time. As with many sustainable landscape practices, the long-term success of meadow projects depends on effective maintenance.
In this two-part workshop, meadow practitioners will share real-world experience, practical strategies, and lessons learned from managing meadows of various sizes and contexts. Participants will gain insight into common challenges, evolving management approaches, and tools for sustaining healthy, functional meadows over the long term. This workshop is made possible through funding from the Pennsylvania DCNR, with additional logistical support from Native Creations PA and LandStudies. For more information on how to sign up for the workshop visit CBLP’s website.
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Lancaster County Conservation District Creates Video Highlighting CAP Program
The Lancaster County Conservation District (LCCD) has created a YouTube video highlighting the water quality conservation work taking place in the county as a result of the CAP program. Throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Lancaster County has the highest opportunity for stream restoration that will result in significant water quality impacts.
The Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load (TMDL) designated Lancaster County as a priority area for the reduction of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment loads. Lancaster County’s CAP outlines their plan for reducing over 6 million pounds of nitrogen and 275,000 pounds of phosphorus. It is the result of a concentrated collaborative effort from local experts, community members, state agencies, and partner organizations focused on increasing water quality and community engagement.
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Still photo from LCCD CAP Video
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Partnerships in Action: Horst Farm Project Protects Local Waterways
In late May, Lancaster Clean Water Partners joined representatives from Maola, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, TeamAg, NRCS, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for a tour of the Horst farm in Quarryville. The visit highlighted how long-term collaboration can produce real, measurable benefits for Lancaster County's streams and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
When partners first met with the Horst family in 2021, the farm faced several water quality challenges, including inadequate manure storage, uncontrolled runoff, livestock access to streams, and eroding fields lacking riparian vegetation. Working together, the team developed a comprehensive conservation plan that combined technical expertise, funding support, and on-the-ground implementation.
Today, the results are visible across the farm. New manure storage facilities, protected heavy-use areas, and improved runoff controls are helping reduce nutrient and sediment pollution before it reaches nearby waterways. A newly planted riparian forest buffer is stabilizing streambanks, filtering runoff, and creating healthier habitat along the stream corridor.
The Horst Farm project is more than a farm improvement story - it is a watershed success story. By bringing together farmers, conservation organizations, technical service providers, and funding partners, this effort demonstrates how collaborative action can strengthen agriculture while protecting the clean water that benefits every community downstream.
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Horst Farm Project – Photo Credit Lancaster Clean Water Partners
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"What’s great for Pennsylvania is good for the Bay, and we know that comprehensive conservation… can lead to restored waters. Through DEP investments and targeted conservation work on the ground, we’re seeing real results — cleaner water, restored streams, and healthier ecosystems that benefit communities across the Commonwealth."
- Jessica Shirley, SecretaryPA Department of Environmental Protection
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Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
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