Master Watershed Steward Application Information

The Watershed Stewards Academy is an initiative of Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works and Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center to train community leaders, called “Master Watershed Stewards”, to reduce the negative impacts of stormwater runoff in Anne Arundel County. The role of the Master Watershed Stewards is to engage and educate citizens, businesses and organizations within sub-watersheds on relevant environmental issues. They will coordinate small-scale restoration on private property such as installation of rain gardens, green roofs, rain barrels and septic retrofits as well as large-scale restoration efforts such as bio-retention areas or shoreline restorations on community property. The goal is to reduce the pollutant load carried from the land into our waterways.

Master Watershed Stewards will participate in an intensive Certification Course, including hands on training in restoration techniques and will complete a stormwater infiltration project within their sub-watershed. After certification is complete, Master Watershed Stewards serve as a resource person and community leader, continuing to coordinate efforts to infiltrate stormwater and reduce pollutant sources within their sub watersheds.

“Master Watershed Stewards” will be supported in action by:

A Consortium of Support Professionals: provide technical assistance to Master Watershed Stewards by consulting on design and development of watershed restoration projects. They will also fulfill the role of a “speakers bureau”.
Tools Box for Sustaining Action: Alternative Solutions with How-to Guides, Library of Technical and Media Resources, Inventory of Contacts for Technical Assistance, GIS Resources, Academy Web-Page
An Advisory Board: provide long-term vision and sustainability, establish 501C(3) status, recruit funding, award small watershed grants, explore transferability of the concept to other local jurisdictions and evaluate measures of success.
Academy Leadership Team: Composed of Anne Arundel County DPW and Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center to provide day to day guidance and connect Stewards to County resources.
Post-certification professional development and networking opportunities.
Facility use and demonstration areas of Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center.

If you are willing to assume an active role with a strong commitment to improving the environment and the quality of life of your community, we invite you to apply to the Watershed Stewards Academy and become a Master Watershed Steward.

Qualified applicants will:

• Live within the community they represent and be actively engaged in community activities.
• Be a resident of Anne Arundel County (with the exception of 3 slots for persons from other local jurisdictions wishing to initiate WSA in their County).
• Complete application process including one informational meeting (August 19th, September 2nd, or September 9th 6:30 p.m. at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center).
• Be proficient in basic computer skills such as Microsoft Office, internet browsing and mapping programs and be willing to learn new programs.
• Have experience with public speaking and meeting facilitation
• Be willing to serve as a community resource for environmental and watershed information.
• Complete the Master Watershed Steward certification program (all sessions are mandatory attendance)
  • 8 Wednesday Evening Sessions 6-9 p.m. (Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Jan.6, 13, 20, and 27th, Feb. 3, 24th with Feb. 10th as a snow date)
    • Daytime or Weekend classes
    • Saturday, October 31st 8 a.m. – noon
    • Thursday, November 5th 6:00 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 7th at noon Saturday, January 23rd 8-noon (snow date January 30th)
    • Saturday, April 10th or 17th 8 a.m.-noon
  • Completion of at least one self-directed community restoration project.
• Certification maintenance is expected. To maintain certification, a Master Watershed Steward must:
  • Attend at least 2 weekend or 4 weeknight professional development seminars
  • Complete at least 40 hours of community service on restoration efforts within his/her sub-watershed.
  • Attend at least 80% of the bi-monthly networking meetings

Application process:
Please fill out the attached application (electronically or in hard copy). Applications may be mailed (975 Indian Landing Rd, Millersville, MD 21108), e-mailed (setgen@aacps,org) or faxed (410-222-3826) from August 19th through September 15th, 2009. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by October 10th, 2009. In some cases, qualified applicants may be asked for an interview. For additional information or to submit an application, please contact Suzanne Kilby Etgen at 443-871-0700 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please note that the WSA office will be closed from July 31st –August 10th. Any e-mails or phone calls will be returned after Aug. 10th.