Upcoming Webinars for Watersheds and Outdoor Recreation

February is the time to tune-up and energize watershed organizations for a summer of activation and stewardship.  Network and learn ideas from other water stewards at these sessions later this month:

On Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM, The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers will be hosting a Conversation Cafe:  A Voice Of and For the Future of Watershed Stewardship, Restoration, and Community Engagementwith Jessica Bryzek, West Virginia Northern Basin AmeriCorps/VISTA.

Jessica, who presented at the Confluence in Confluence, PA, will share her insights and visions for the future, offering a fresh perspective on the crucial intersection of water resources and community engagement.

Learn more and register here

On Tuesday, February 25th, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the Harry Enstrom Chapter of Izaak Walton and Headwaters to the Ohio Water Network will host a virtual discussion on “Growing Your Organization: A Community-Based Approach to Membership Growth.”

This conversation on fostering meaningful connections, creating a sense of purpose, and encouraging active participation to build strong organizations is for anyone invested in conservation, community-building, or water advocacy.

Learn more and register

On Tuesday, March 4, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the monthly West Virginia Watershed Network Virtual Social Hour continues as the meeting place for all watershed groups and partners that live or love West Virginia! This month, it will feature Friends of the Cheat.  For information and to join email Martin Christ, Northern Basin Coordinator, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, at Martin.J.Christ@wv.gov.

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February is also when the public will be able to comment on a draft of Pennsylvania’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, required for the Commonwealth to set forth how it hopes to benefit eligible from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.  

These funds are used to:

·       Build parks and historic sites

·       Conserve forests, rivers, lakes, and wildlife habitat

·       Provide access to recreation, hunting, and fishing

The public comment period on Pennsylvania’s draft Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan runs from February 3, 2025, through March 3, 2025

Three 30 minute webinars remain to learn about the priority areas set forth in the plan and to provide input: