DEKALB, Ill.—Every day, rain nourishes fields of growing crops, and rivers steadily flow through natural areas and communities until, eventually, drinking water trickles out of faucets into our homes, schools, and businesses. The health of a watershed is connected to the health of a community, and understanding where water comes from, how it moves, and what impacts its quality and quantity is crucial to maintaining safe and sustainable water resources now and in the future.
A watershed is the land where all water drains across the surface or underground toward the nearest water body, such as ponds, rivers, lakes, or oceans. The Watershed Steward Program offered by University of Illinois Extension connects community members with their local waterways and empowers them with information so they can make a difference through environmental conservation efforts. The five-part program will be offered one morning a week from Tuesday, May 26, through Tuesday, June 16, from 9:30 am to 12:30 and includes a Saturday field trip on June 13th. The cost for this class is $84. To sign up online, go to: https://go.illinois.edu/WSProgram or call the DeKalb County Extension office at 815-758-8194.
For four weeks, participants will learn how natural water systems work from scientists, researchers, and watershed management professionals. Topics include water quality science and the impacts of climate change, invasive species, and agriculture on water bodies. After completing training, participants can connect with local partners to engage in restoration science, community science, and educational programs.
“Sustaining and restoring natural resources is a priority for Illinois Extension, and the Watershed Steward Program joins and expands on our volunteer network of Master Naturalists and Climate Stewards who are doing valuable environmental work,” said Shibu Kar, Extension’s assistant dean of natural resources, environment, and energy. “Together, we’re helping Illinois communities become more resilient by conserving critical water resources.”
For more information about this program, contact Connie Handel at cahandel@illinois.edu or call the DeKalb County Extension office at 815-758-8194.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.