Updated: August 12, 2024

Interested in keeping your local creeks, rivers, and streams clean? Want to be involved in protecting the Chesapeake Bay? Become a leader in your community by training to be a Master Watershed Steward!

Through a comprehensive training program stewards learn to identify factors that impact stream health, educate neighbors about water quality issues, and implement projects that have a meaningful and positive impact on local water resources. The Watersheds Stewards Academy (WSA) is a joint program administered by Harford County Government and University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension.

Teachers can receive 5 MSDE credits for completing the program.

Become a Steward

Harford County partnered with the University of Maryland Extension Office to establish the Harford Streams Watersheds Stewards Academy. Master Watershed Stewards are trained to become community leaders who promote Harford Streams' mission to increase water quality awareness, encourage actions to reduce human impacts to water quality, and engage communities to take actions to improve water quality.

If you would like more information or have further questions email Claire Cambardella at ccambard@umd.edu.

Application Instructions and Forms

Please review the Harford County Application Information Sheet and the example of course schedule before applying. 

2024 Harford Streams WSA Application Form

You may submit your completed application to Claire Cambardella, Northern MD Watershed Restoration Specialist at ccambard@umd.edu.

References

Please ask two (2) references to complete the Harford County Reference Form on your behalf and send the form directly to: Claire Cambardella, Northern MD Watershed Restoration Specialist, University of MD Sea Grant Extension, 1114 Shawan Rd., Cockeysville, MD 21030. Email (preferred): ccambard@umd.edu.

Process

Applicants will be contacted for a phone interview shortly after the application deadline.

 

 

The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Equal Access Programs.

La Universidad de Maryland es una institución con Igualdad de Oportunidades de Empleo y con Igualdad de Acceso a Programas.

Tuition Information

The tuition cost for the Harford Streams WSA certification course is $150. Please do not send tuition with application. Payment will be due upon acceptance to the program. A limited number of scholarships are available. Contact Claire Cambardella at ccambard@umd.edu for more information.

Tentative Schedule

2024-25 Harford WSA Class Schedule

Week

Date

Topic

Location

Time

FALL SEMESTER

1

Sept 4

Introduction to WSA

Zoom

6-8 pm

1

Sept 7*

Stormwater Tour

HCC

9am – 12pm

2

Sept 11

Watersheds, Water Systems & Stormwater Issues

Zoom

6-8 pm

2

Sept 14*

RAIN DATE Stormwater Tour

HCC

9am – 12pm

3

Sept 18

Best Management Practices and Class Project

Zoom

6-8 pm

3

Sept 21*

Soils

HCC

9am – 12pm

4

Sept 25

GIS & Desktop Analysis

HCC

6-8 pm

4

Sept 28

RAIN DATE Soils

HCC

9am – 12pm

5

Oct 2

Neighborhood & Site Assessments

Zoom

6-8 pm

5

Oct 5*

Class Project Tour & Practice Site Assessment

Field, TBD

9am – 12pm

6

Oct 9

Native Plants & Planting Plan Design

Zoom

6-8 pm

6

Oct 12*

Kollar Nursery

Kollar Nursery

9am – 12pm

7

Oct 16

Class Project Planning

Zoom

6-8 pm

7

Oct 19*

Class Project Prep Day

Field, TBD

9am – 12pm

8

Oct 23

Project Management & Funding

Zoom

6-8 pm

8

Oct 26*

Class Project Implementation Day

Field, TBD

9am – 12pm

9

Oct 30

Local Water Quality

Zoom

6-8 pm

9

Nov 2

RAIN DATE Class Project

 

 

10

Nov 6

Community Engagement

Zoom

6-8 pm

11

Nov 13

Legislation, Programs & Policies

Zoom

6-8 pm

12

Nov 20

Capstone Project Intro & WSA Database

Zoom

6-8 pm

13

Nov 27

Thanksgiving Week- No Class

 

 

14

Dec 4

Social Marketing

Zoom

6-8 pm

SPRING SEMESTER

15

Jan 29

Capstone Project Review

HCC

6-8 pm

16-19

Feb

Asynchronous- Capstone Project Planning

 

 

16

Feb 5

Make Up Day

Zoom

6-8 pm

17

Feb 12

Make Up Day

Zoom

6-8 pm

20

Mar 5

Capstone Project Presentations

HCC

6-8 pm

21

Mar 12

Graduation

HCC

5-9 pm

*Saturday Field Experience (all other classes are held on Wednesday evenings)