Registration open for 2020 Indiana Master Watershed Steward Program

Posted January 9th, 2020 in Education, Featured, Healthy Waters, News, Recreation & Tourism
Indiana Master Watershed Stewardship Program logo - blue outline of Indiana with a graphic hand holding a water droplet

No matter where you live, you live in a watershed—an area of land that drains to a waterbody such as a stream, river or lake. Through a structured training program beginning March 17, the Indiana Master Watershed Steward Program (IMWSP) will provide community members with knowledge about their surrounding water bodies and how to keep them healthy. The program highlights the Lake Michigan region but is open to all Indiana residents.

The IMWSP will give participants the opportunity to interact with area experts on subjects pertaining to their local watershed. From these natural resource professionals, participants will learn the fundamentals of watershed hydrology, water quality, soil and geology, flooding and stormwater, green infrastructure, watershed wildlife, how people affect watersheds and water quality, and more. The pilot program last year proved to be successful, and participants walked away as Master Watershed Stewards with a deep understanding of local watersheds and how to care for them.

The program will engage participants with local environmental agencies and community groups to promote community participation in local water quality and fish and wildlife enhancement through volunteering efforts. Each program participant will apply knowledge gained from the IMWSP to complete a local watershed stewardship project, such as assisting with streambank restoration, riverside cleanups and promoting safe boating.

Application

IMWSP applications are due February 27, 2020. The registration fee is $95. For registration materials, email Leslie Dorworth at ldorwort@pnw.edu or call (219)989-2726.

Class Schedule

Participants will complete 11 weeks of training. Classes begin March 17 and end May 26, 2020. They will be held every Tuesday from 5:30-8:00 p.m. CT at The Residences at Coffee Creek, 2300 Village Point in Chesterton, Indiana.

Continuing Education Units

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for educators who complete the IMWSP.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is a part of University of Illinois Extension and Purdue Extension.

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Celebrate Earth Day with freshwater science and good conversation! Join Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, the Northwestern Center for Water, Loyola University researcher Tim Hoellein, and IISG’s Sarah Zack for Science Sips: Trash Talk about Chicago Waterways. Learn what research reveals about litter and trash in Lake Michigan and Chicago waterways and what we can do to help.
Plus, enjoy Great Lakes trivia games!

📅 April 22, 2026
⏰ 7–9 PM
📍 Sketchbook Brewing Company, Evanston Tap Room

Come curious and ready to test your Great Lakes knowledge!

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18580460566014726
Celebrate Earth Day with freshwater science and good conversation! Join Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, the Northwestern Center for Water, Loyola University researcher Tim Hoellein, and IISG’s Sarah Zack for Science Sips: Trash Talk about Chicago Waterways. Learn what research reveals about litter and trash in Lake Michigan and Chicago waterways and what we can do to help.Plus, enjoy Great Lakes trivia games!📅 April 22, 2026⏰ 7–9 PM📍 Sketchbook Brewing Company, Evanston Tap RoomCome curious and ready to test your Great Lakes knowledge!

Looking for a fun way to teach about marine debris? Check out Me and Debry, which is a whimsical, 30‑minute, audience‑participation play created for @UWiscSeaGrant. It helps students explore what marine debris is, why it matters, and how we can make a difference in the Great Lakes.

The full script (English) and participation scripts (English, Spanish, and Hmong) are free to use, along with marketing materials for performances.

Bring learning to life and start a conversation about litter in our waters!

Check it out at the link in bio.

#TeachingTuesday

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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18104492783310070
Looking for a fun way to teach about marine debris? Check out Me and Debry, which is a whimsical, 30‑minute, audience‑participation play created for @UWiscSeaGrant. It helps students explore what marine debris is, why it matters, and how we can make a difference in the Great Lakes.The full script (English) and participation scripts (English, Spanish, and Hmong) are free to use, along with marketing materials for performances.Bring learning to life and start a conversation about litter in our waters!Check it out at the link in bio.#TeachingTuesday

Do you work or live along the Great Lakes coasts? Watch our newly released video series collection, containing several short videos that overview the range of coastal protection options in the Great Lakes, including:

- Natural processes in the Great Lakes
- Hard coastal protection structures and how they interact with/alter natural processes
- Nature-based coastal solutions in the Great Lakes, ranging from green to gray approaches

Find our two new video series at the link in bio.

10 0
Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18075599984541727
Do you work or live along the Great Lakes coasts? Watch our newly released video series collection, containing several short videos that overview the range of coastal protection options in the Great Lakes, including:- Natural processes in the Great Lakes- Hard coastal protection structures and how they interact with/alter natural processes- Nature-based coastal solutions in the Great Lakes, ranging from green to gray approachesFind our two new video series at the link in bio.