Cornell University Cooperative Extension announces the creation of the NYS Master Watershed Steward program, which will be piloted in the Hudson Valley in 2012. The seven-month long training will begin on Saturday, June 16 with a weekend workshop for participants at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck.
The NYS Master Watershed Steward Program is an educational initiative developed by Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension that empowers citizens of New York to be part of the solution to the watershed problems throughout the State. The NYS Master Watershed Steward Program is designed for anyone with an interest and passion for conserving our water resources. All are welcome and previous environmental experience is not required.
The mission of the New York Master Watershed Steward Program is to strengthen local capacity for successful management and protection of watersheds by empowering volunteers. The training is a mix of face-to-face sessions, distance learning modules and an independent, hands-on project. The curriculum is comprised of a number of lessons, some elective, some mandatory. The elective modules allow for the tailoring of the educational program to the needs of the individual.
NYS Master Watershed Steward volunteers will participate in basic and advanced training sessions on topics including watershed planning, assessing and inventorying a watershed, hydrology, stormwater and floodplain management, green infrastructure, leadership, communication skills, working with political structures and stakeholder involvement techniques. Volunteers will have the opportunity to join a network of peers and professionals working on watershed issues and gain strategies, skills, and resources for successful watershed management.
Successful Master Watershed Steward candidates will design and carry out a 40-hour volunteer project that benefits watersheds in their region. Master Watershed Steward volunteers will be expected to maintain involvement with the New York Master Watershed Steward Program, acting as mentors to new trainees, becoming watershed outreach volunteers and contributors to the NY Watershed Stewards website. Graduates of the NY Master Watershed Steward earn a Professional Certificate in Watershed Management.
The NYS Master Watershed Steward Program is being piloted in the Hudson Valley during 2012, and is offered to interested residents of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene and Ulster Counties. The initial workshop will be held at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck on June 16 & 17. Mandatory on-site workshops will be held in October 2012 and January 2013, and participants may opt to participate in elective, hands-on workshops during the training period. The Master Watershed Steward Program will be offered in other locations in New York State in subsequent years.
The cost for the entire, seven-month training is $55 per participant. Participants must have reliable Internet access, the ability to travel to workshop sites and the ability to devote the time to completing all required components of the training, including the 40-hour volunteer project.
For more information and registration, visit the NYS Master Watershed Steward website at www.NYWatershedSteward.org. To speak directly with a representative, Ulster County residents should contact Gretchen Rae at (845) 688-3047, ext. 0# or gr283@cornell.edu. Dutchess County residents should contact Extension Educator Carolyn Klocker at (845) 677-8223, ext. 135 or cak97@cornell.edu. Residents of Greene and Columbia Counties should contact Extension Educator Liz LoGiudice at (518) 622-9820, ext. 33 or eml37@cornell.edu. All others should direct questions to Shorna Allred, Cornell University Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, at (607) 255-2149 or srb237@cornell.edu.
For more information about Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s community programs and events visit our online calendar at www.cceulster.org. Follow us on www.facebook.com. CCEUC provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please contact the CCEUC office at 845-340-3990 if you have any special needs.
Cornell University Cooperative Extension announces the creation of the NYS Master Watershed Steward program, which will be piloted in the Hudson Valley in 2012. The seven-month long training will begin on Saturday, June 16 with a weekend workshop for participants at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck.
The NYS Master Watershed Steward Program is an educational initiative developed by Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension that empowers citizens of New York to be part of the solution to the watershed problems throughout the State. The NYS Master Watershed Steward Program is designed for anyone with an interest and passion for conserving our water resources. All are welcome and previous environmental experience is not required.
The mission of the New York Master Watershed Steward Program is to strengthen local capacity for successful management and protection of watersheds by empowering volunteers. The training is a mix of face-to-face sessions, distance learning modules and an independent, hands-on project. The curriculum is comprised of a number of lessons, some elective, some mandatory. The elective modules allow for the tailoring of the educational program to the needs of the individual.
NYS Master Watershed Steward volunteers will participate in basic and advanced training sessions on topics including watershed planning, assessing and inventorying a watershed, hydrology, stormwater and floodplain management, green infrastructure, leadership, communication skills, working with political structures and stakeholder involvement techniques. Volunteers will have the opportunity to join a network of peers and professionals working on watershed issues and gain strategies, skills, and resources for successful watershed management.
Successful Master Watershed Steward candidates will design and carry out a 40-hour volunteer project that benefits watersheds in their region. Master Watershed Steward volunteers will be expected to maintain involvement with the New York Master Watershed Steward Program, acting as mentors to new trainees, becoming watershed outreach volunteers and contributors to the NY Watershed Stewards website. Graduates of the NY Master Watershed Steward earn a Professional Certificate in Watershed Management.
The NYS Master Watershed Steward Program is being piloted in the Hudson Valley during 2012, and is offered to interested residents of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene and Ulster Counties. The initial workshop will be held at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck on June 16 & 17. Mandatory on-site workshops will be held in October 2012 and January 2013, and participants may opt to participate in elective, hands-on workshops during the training period. The Master Watershed Steward Program will be offered in other locations in New York State in subsequent years.
The cost for the entire, seven-month training is $55 per participant. Participants must have reliable Internet access, the ability to travel to workshop sites and the ability to devote the time to completing all required components of the training, including the 40-hour volunteer project.
For more information and registration, visit the NYS Master Watershed Steward website at www.NYWatershedSteward.org. To speak directly with a representative, Ulster County residents should contact Gretchen Rae at (845) 688-3047, ext. 0# or gr283@cornell.edu. Dutchess County residents should contact Extension Educator Carolyn Klocker at (845) 677-8223, ext. 135 or cak97@cornell.edu. Residents of Greene and Columbia Counties should contact Extension Educator Liz LoGiudice at (518) 622-9820, ext. 33 or eml37@cornell.edu. All others should direct questions to Shorna Allred, Cornell University Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, at (607) 255-2149 or srb237@cornell.edu.
For more information about Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County’s community programs and events visit our online calendar at www.cceulster.org. Follow us on www.facebook.com. CCEUC provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please contact the CCEUC office at 845-340-3990 if you have any special needs.
