Lancaster County Conservancy has worked for nearly 50 years to save important natural places for people and wildlife and to steward Lancaster’s urban and suburban environments. The Conservancy sponsors Lancaster Water Week to celebrate the unique waterways of Lancaster County, educate the public about the challenges they face and opportunities they can create, and activate people to take action in their watersheds and communities.
As part of Lancaster Water Week, the Conservancy awards grants to organizations that are working to protect and restore local freshwater systems. Millersville University’s Watershed Education Training Institute recently partnered with Stroud Water Research Center on a Lancaster Water Week grant.
Lancaster Water Week Grant Award: Watershed Education Training Institute
The Challenge
To ensure the conservation and protection of Pennsylvania watersheds, students in the region must better understand personal and policy options for driving positive change. Millersville University’s Watershed Education Training Institute (WETi) is working to promote environmental literacy and broaden participation of Lancaster’s youth in watershed conservation.
The Solution
A partnership with Stroud Water Research Center’s education department allows WETi to offer high-quality watershed curricula and instruction. Stroud Center educators lead the programs assisted by Millersville University science and science education students.
In 2017 WETi hosted eight programs focused on promoting watershed education among Lancaster’s youth. This included camps aimed at empowering girls aged 9-14 to engage in and pursue STEM-related careers and a camp for migrant and refugee students in grades 7-11 to provide them with the opportunity to experience STEM-driven activities in relation to watershed conservation. WETi also hosted a one-day camp for the local Lego League Robotics club and an early childhood education teacher workshop aimed at integrating STEM education in K-12 students.
With Stroud Center support, WETi has reforested more than four acres on Millersville University campus with more than 250 trees.
