Watershed Protection and Restoration
Guides and Publications
Watershed Decisions Activity Kit
A hands-on, inquiry based activity kit that helps older youth and adults learn about water quality issues in small watersheds and the decision making processes that go into improving those water quality issues.
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Featured Articles
Articles
A Healthy Stream Has Low Embeddedness
Embeddedness is a complicated word to describe a simple concept. Are the rocks, gravel, and boulders in the bed of a stream exposed? Or are they buried by sediment, surrounded by soils, and barely visible?
Articles
Riparian Buffers: Pennsylvania's Best Solution for Protecting Its Waters
This article explains the benefits of using riparian buffers to protect the health of waterways, livestock, adjacent property, and all who drink and use water downstream.
Articles
Live Staking for Stream Restoration
A brief introduction and instructional guide to using live staking as an inexpensive and simple technique to restoring eroding stream banks.
Articles
Introduction to Watersheds
Have you ever passed a sign welcoming you to a watershed and wondered what it means? Here are some basic facts about watersheds to help you out.
Category Title
Webinars
Smart Farms and the Internet of Things for Agriculture
When 12/11/2024
Length 1 hour, 30 minutes
Event Format Virtual | Live
Discover how Internet of Things (IoT) technology is transforming agriculture through precision tools, automation, and real-world applications shared by experts, farmers, and industry leaders.
Free
Articles
Preparing and Preserving Mushrooms
Learn how to select, store, preserve, and prepare mushrooms.
Workshops
Practical Applications for Improving Milk Quality
When 02/11/2025
Length 4 hours, 30 minutes
Event Format In-Person
Discover practical strategies to improve milk quality and profitability at Penn State Extension's in-person workshop, designed for dairy farmers, milkers, and employees. Learn, apply, and succeed!
$25.00
Online Courses
Introduction to Food Packaging: Materials, Manufacturing, and Innovation
Sections 9
Length 11 hours, 30 minutes
Learn about food packaging design and sustainability, manufacturing, innovation, and materials like plastic, glass, metal, paper, and pouches
$419.00
Educators
Sara Neral
Job 4-H Program Coordinator, Wayne County
4-H Program Coordinator, Wayne County
Articles
What Is Heartwood in Trees?
The dark-colored area of a tree is called heartwood, and the lighter-colored area is called sapwood. What causes this change in color in the wood, and how does it affect the wood properties?
News
Celebrating World Toilet Day
Date Posted 11/20/2024
November 19th was World Toilet Day! This is a United Nations observance day to not only celebrate toilets but also raise awareness about proper sanitation worldwide.
Webinars
Carbon Avoidance Credits in Oil and Gas Well Plugging
When 12/12/2024
Length 1 hour
Event Format Virtual | Live
Discover how orphaned well remediation reduces methane and restores habitats while creating carbon credit opportunities with Luke Plants, a leader in environmental responsibility.
Free
Workshops
Northern Tier Beef Meeting: No Bull About Breeding Season
When Multiple Options Available
Length 2 hours
Event Format In-Person
Explore the pros and cons of artificial insemination versus natural service in beef cattle breeding, with insights from an experienced breeder. This 2-hour, no-cost event is for beef producers.
Free
Articles
Pennsylvania Timber Market Report, Third Quarter, 2024
Stumpage prices as reported by Pennsylvania timber and logging companies, forestry consultants, and state land management agencies to the Pennsylvania State University.
Webinars
Ewe Lamb and Doe Kid Development
When 03/11/2025
Length 1 hour
Event Format Virtual | Live
Learn how to select and manage ewe lambs and doe kids to meet growth targets and prepare them for successful breeding and yearling production in this no-cost, one-hour webinar.
Free
Webinars
Lamb Survival: The Role of High-Quality Colostrum
When 01/21/2025
Length 1 hour
Event Format Virtual | Live
Learn how colostrum quality impacts lamb survival, health, and nutrition. Perfect for sheep producers and veterinarians seeking practical insights.
Free
Workshops
Pesticide Applicator Short Course
When 01/15/2025
Length 7 optional days, 7 hours each day
Event Format In-Person
Build a foundation of knowledge about safe and proper handling and use of pesticides, and prepare for the certified pesticide applicator's exam for Core and Cats. 06, 07, 10, and 23.
$150.00
Workshops
Holiday Swag Creations
When Multiple Options Available
Length 1 hour, 15 minutes
Event Format In-Person
Craft a festive holiday swag using fresh, locally sourced evergreens. Learn preservation tips, bow-making techniques, and design tricks to create a lasting seasonal decoration for your home.
$20.00
News
Forest Snapshot November 2024
Date Posted 11/18/2024
This bi-monthly article is a collection of forest health observations, plant and animal phenology, important upcoming dates, and hunting season changes.
Articles
Holiday Gift Selections to Delight Gardeners
Make the holidays extra special for the gardeners in our lives with gifts that they can enjoy and use throughout the year!
News
New Workbook Empowers Retail Farm Markets to Boost Success
Date Posted 11/18/2024
Penn State Extension's PA Farm Markets program has created a Retail Farm Market Development workbook for those who are considering starting a farm market or looking to improve an existing market.
News
Master Watershed Stewards Naturalize Stormwater Basin in York County
Date Posted 11/18/2024
Adding native plantings to a stormwater basin allows it to function more naturally.
Your Challenges, Our Expertise
Connect with us for the latest research-based knowledge and hands-on know-how. Find experts who will work with you in person or online to answer questions, solve problems, and seize opportunities.
Everyone lives in a watershed. Learn what makes a stream healthy, how you can make a difference with conservation practices in your community, and discover watershed education tools and resources you can use to help teach others.
Youth Education: Water
Penn State Extension assists educators and teachers in obtaining comprehensive information on youth water education. The Rain to Drain: Slow the Flow, for instance, is a hands-on stormwater educational curriculum designed to provide youth and adults with a better understanding of stormwater movement. It can be used in classrooms, 4-H clubs, scout meetings, and afterschool programs.
In-depth resources and water education tools are provided, as well. Discover more about innovative teaching, activities that engage youth in watershed efforts, and safe drinking water education.
