Quincy, IL — University of Illinois Extension, in partnership with the Adams County Farm Bureau, launches a new Illinois Watershed Stewards course in Spring 2026. This marks the first time the Watershed Stewards program has been offered to residents of west central Illinois counties-all counties that border either the Mississippi River or the Illinois River, making watershed education especially relevant to the region.
The Illinois Watershed Stewards program engages community members as informed stewards of their local watersheds. Through science-based education led by a diverse team of experts—including soil scientists, hydrologists, aquatic ecologists, forestry and stormwater professionals, emergency management staff, river-focused leaders, and watershed project practitioners—participants will explore how water moves across the landscape and how local land-use decisions affect water quality far beyond their own communities.
With the Mississippi and Illinois rivers serving as vital resources for drinking water, agriculture, recreation, wildlife habitat, and transportation, understanding watershed systems is critical for the long-term health of these waterways and the communities that depend on them.
The program consists of eight weekly evening classes, held Mondays from 5:30–8:00 p.m., beginning February 23 and concluding April 13, 2026. Sessions will be held at the Adams County Extension Office/Farm Bureau, lower level, located at 330 S. 36th Street, Quincy, Illinois.
The program fee is $84, which includes session materials, dinner each evening, and soil test vouchers. This course is supported by the Illinois Farm Bureau Nutrient Stewardship Grant program.
“This program provides a unique opportunity for residents to better understand how local actions connect to the Mississippi and Illinois rivers,” said Amy Lefringhouse, Natural Resources Educator with University of Illinois Extension. “We’re excited to offer this new learning opportunity in a region where water plays such an important role in our economy, environment, and daily lives.”
To register, visit go.illinois.edu/watershedsteward. For questions about the program or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Amy Lefringhouse or call the Adams County Extension Office at 217-223-8380.
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 700 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 six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.