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 educates individuals to assist and support the protection and preservation of 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 Watershed Steward
Our mission is to engage and empower citizens as stewards of natural ecosystems and resources by providing science-based education 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.
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 Watershed Steward Program
Illinois-Indiana Master Watershed Steward Program participants learn how watersheds function and are empowered to help with watershed improvement efforts in their communities. The program educates participants on the promotion of 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.
Who is a Watershed Steward?
Watershed Stewards use their watershed knowledge and understanding to assist local watershed needs and support their local leaders around actions that support a healthy watershed.
After completing the training program, Watershed Stewards are encouraged to put their knowledge to work by participating in various community 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 Watershed Steward, you must complete eight modules of education in a workshop series format, either in person, online, or hybrid, depending on local offerings. At the conclusion of the workshop series, hosts will issue a certificate of completion. Workshop hosts also provide community-based partner networking opportunities for Watershed Stewards to support local efforts. Partnering organizations will be provided for potential volunteer opportunities, which are not a required part of the course, but are encouraged. PGPs/CEUs are available for educators.
The research-based curriculum covers hydrology, water quantity, water quality, and best management practices. After completing training, 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
