The Watershed Specialist Consortium, formed in early 2025, aims to enhance project skills for counties in Pennsylvania’s HRG Countywide Action Plan (CAP). Meetings this year supported the state’s Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan through peer mentorship. A kickoff luncheon in February featured discussions on project management and successful examples like the Hershey Buffer Project. Feedback indicated improved confidence in project oversight and grant writing, leading the group to continue with quarterly meetings.
Interns Camille Michon and Caroline Hunter contributed significantly to watershed restoration. Michon worked on GIS tools, collaborated on a LinkedIn project, and engaged in fieldwork, while Hunter focused on grant programs and data visualization. Both interns met with Governor Josh Shapiro, discussing civic engagement and environmental initiatives.
County project highlights include streambank stabilization in Bedford County and a joint pollution reduction plan in Dauphin County. Funding opportunities and educational webinars were also announced. For more information, resources are available on the DEP website, including a report viewer and newsletters.
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