The Howard County Watershed Stewards Academy (HoCoWSA) is holding a series of information sessions to highlight its Master Watershed Steward certification program. The academy is looking for innovative problem-solvers who are interested in serving their community by preserving and improving water quality at the local level.

“The Watershed Academy equips people with an understanding of what affects the quality of both water and land, which impacts individuals, families, and everyone of us in this community,” said Georgia Eacker, Howard County’s Master Gardner Coordinator and member of the HoCoWSA advisory committee.

Under the auspices of the Howard County office of the University of Maryland Extension (UME),
HoCoWSA is a training program that empowers residents to improve the water quality of local streams. Through a series of classes and community-based activities, concerned citizens learn how they can spearhead individual and community efforts aimed at reducing the harmful effects of polluted stormwater runoff into local streams, which eventually makes it way to the Chesapeake Bay.

This year UME is partnering with Howard Community College’s (HCC) continuing education program to assist with registration. HoCoWSA’s next cohort will begin on September 3, 2019.

Concerned citizens can learn more at one of the following 60-minute information sessions:

  • Monday, August 19 th : Central Branch Library – 7:00-8:00pm
  • Tuesday, August 20 th : East Columbia Branch Library – 2:00-3:00pm
  • Friday, August 23 rd : Central Branch Library – 2:00-3:00pm
  • Tuesday, August 27 th : Elkridge Branch Library – 2:00-3:00pm
  • Thursday, August 29 th : Miller Branch Library (Ellicott City) – 2:00-3:00pm
  • Thursday, August 29 th : Miller Branch Library (Ellicott City) – 7:00-8:00pm
  • Friday, August 30 th : Glenwood Branch Library (Cooksville) – 2:00-3:00pm

Attendance at one of the information session is recommended for enrollment in the upcoming course.

For more information about the HoCoWSA, contact Terry Matthews at 410-599-5362; trmatt@umd.edu; visit www.howardwsa.org or register at: tiny.cc/HCVolunteer

Course Number: ZB-205-7739