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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Happy Juneteenth from all of us at Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant!

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Happy Juneteenth from all of us at Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant!

Got a research idea for southern Lake Michigan?

IISG’s 2026 Seed Grant Research Competition is open. Up to $150,000 total funding for pilot studies that could become your next big project.

💵 $10,000 to $50,000 per project
⏰ Applications due August 17, 2026

Two info webinars coming up: July 2 and July 21.

🔗 Full details at the link in bio.

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Got a research idea for southern Lake Michigan? IISG’s 2026 Seed Grant Research Competition is open. Up to $150,000 total funding for pilot studies that could become your next big project.💵 $10,000 to $50,000 per project⏰ Applications due August 17, 2026Two info webinars coming up: July 2 and July 21.🔗 Full details at the link in bio.

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https://greatlakesgreatread.org/

#BeachReads

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Add a Great Lakes twist to your summer reading! Discover stories inspired by our region with Great Lakes Great Reads. Check out reading lists perfect for beach days or quiet evenings.https://greatlakesgreatread.org/#BeachReads

Real-time coastlines, real-world insights. Check out the LIVE feed of Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park Beach – supporting recreationalists, researchers, and the broader public at the link in bio.

This work is in partnership between Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (@secoora_org), the Great Lakes Observing System (@greatlakesobservingsystem), Indiana Dunes State Park (@indianadunessp), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (@indianadnr), and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant with support from Surfline (@surfline).

Check out IISG’s website for more information on this collaborative project at the link in bio.

Also featured on Seagull and Indiana Coastal Atlas.

Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources
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Southern Lake Michigan Water Safety Task Force
US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois
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Shirley Heinze Land Trust
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Open post by ilinseagrant with ID 18101106293323952
Real-time coastlines, real-world insights. Check out the LIVE feed of Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park Beach – supporting recreationalists, researchers, and the broader public at the link in bio.This work is in partnership between Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (@secoora_org), the Great Lakes Observing System (@greatlakesobservingsystem), Indiana Dunes State Park (@indianadunessp), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (@indianadnr), and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant with support from Surfline (@surfline).Check out IISG’s website for more information on this collaborative project at the link in bio. Also featured on Seagull and Indiana Coastal Atlas.Purdue Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of Illinois ExtensionSouthern Lake Michigan Water Safety Task ForceUS National Weather Service Chicago IllinoisSave the DunesShirley Heinze Land TrustIndiana Dunes National ParkIndiana DunesFriends of Indiana Dunes, Inc.