Water works when we work with it.
Water ebbs and flows, rains and pours, trickles and floods, and it is the constant, steady background for life in our communities.
Water drains across the land or underground toward the nearest water body – ponds, rivers, lakes, or oceans. This is a watershed, and it provides homes, communities, and businesses with fresh drinking water, recreational opportunities, and other vital resources.
But inputs from stormwater runoff, commercial industry, home landscaping, agriculture production, wastewater treatment plants, and more all affect local water quality, and climate change has led to increased precipitation and flooding.
Drop by drop, you can make a difference and help promote healthy watersheds in your community.
The Illinois-Indiana Master Watershed Steward program trains and supports individuals to protect and preserve our water resources.
“As someone who lives 800 feet from Lake Michigan and less than a mile from two other lakes, the [IIMWS] program inspired me to care for my region’s incredible natural beauty on a daily basis.”
- David K., 2019 Master Watershed Steward
Our mission is to engage and empower citizens as stewards of natural ecosystems and resources by providing science-based education and volunteer service opportunities in their communities. By creating a network of water-conscious environmental stewards, we’re investing in the future of the Midwest water supply through research-based environmental education and conservation.
Master Watershed Stewards:
- Educate neighbors and community leaders about watershed health.
- Identify problems that impact watershed health and potential solutions.
- Take action to protect and improve the health of their watershed.
About the Master Watershed Program
The Illinois-Indiana Master Watershed Steward Program trains volunteers to promote healthy watersheds by increasing their understanding of potential causes of water resource degradation and providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to identify, prevent, or resolve water quality problems.
The program is a collaboration between Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, University of Illinois, Purdue University, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other partners.
What is a Master Watershed Steward?
Master Watershed Stewards are trained volunteers who learn how watersheds function and are empowered to help with watershed improvement efforts in their communities. Participants will increase their understanding of potential causes of water resource degradation and receive tools to identify, prevent, or resolve water quality problems.
After completing the training program, Master Watershed Stewards put their knowledge to work by participating in various volunteer projects, depending on their interests:
- Monitoring streams for plants, animals, and water chemistry.
- Assisting with local streambank restoration projects.
- Joining a local watershed group.
- Promoting safe boating on local waterways.
- Organizing a riverside clean-up event.
- Staffing an information table at a local festival or event.
- Organizing community workshops on topics such as rain barrels, rain gardens, wildlife, pollution prevention, or invasive plant control.
- Working with community leaders to find creative ways to protect local rivers and streams.
How does the program work?
Anyone with an interest in the environment, a willingness to learn, and a desire to make a difference in their community can become a Master Watershed Steward.
To become a certified Master Watershed Steward, volunteers must complete 8 weeks of training with one education module per week followed by 35 hours of volunteer service over a two-year period. The program cost is set by each unit. PGPs/CEUs are available for educators.
The research-based curriculum covers water quality science and the impacts of climate change, invasive species, and agriculture on water bodies. After completing training, Master Watershed Stewards engage in restoration science, community science, and community education programs with local partners.
Where can I sign up?
Programs are hosted periodically by Illinois Extension offices across the state. The program was offered in Boone County in fall of 2024 and will be offered in DeKalb County in 2025. Cook County is planning on hosting a program in 2025; add your name to the waiting list.
To find out if an Extension office in your area is hosting a training, please reach out to your local Illinois Extension office. If they are not hosting a training, they can advise on where the nearest training is or start and start a wait list.
Find contact info for Indiana at Purdue Extension Offices.
Questions? Connect with us for more information
C. Eliana Brown
