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 complex word to describe a simple concept. Are the rocks, gravel, and boulders in the stream bed 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
News
Get Ready to Grow!
Date Posted 11/12/2025
Save the date and share your ideas for ACAP Ag Conservation Con 2026!
Articles
Bloodwork Basics – Complete Blood Counts in Horse Health
Complete blood counts (CBCs) are simple blood tests that quantify blood cells and provide veterinarians with valuable information about your horse's health.
Webinars
Second Saturday Gardening Series: Hemp—More Than a Weed!
When 01/10/2026
Length 1 hour, 30 minutes
Event Format Virtual | Live
Explore the history, science, and future of hemp in this engaging webinar that uncovers its benefits, versatility, and role in today's gardens and sustainable industries.
$10.00
Webinars
Turf and Ornamentals: Focus on Conifers
When 02/10/2026
Length 2 hours
Event Format Virtual | Live
Earn Pennsylvania Certified Applicator Recertification Credits while you learn the latest in pest and disease control.
$20.00
Webinars
Water Cooler Talk: Soil Health Practices for Clean Water
When 01/28/2026
Length 1 hour
Event Format Virtual | Live
Discover how soil health practices on Pennsylvania farms protect land, improve water quality, and sustain the Chesapeake Bay through agricultural stewardship upstream.
Free
Webinars
Basics of Hydroponic Production
When 02/18/2026
Length 5 one-hour sessions
Event Format Virtual | Live
Explore hydroponic production in this five-week webinar series covering system design, lighting, nutrients, pest management, microgreens, and food safety.
$50.00
Webinars
Turf and Ornamentals: Focus on Broadleaf Ornamentals
When 02/03/2026
Length 2 hours
Event Format Virtual | Live
Earn pesticide credits while learning to identify and manage box tree moth and broadleaf tree diseases in this two-hour webinar for Green Industry and horticulture professionals.
$20.00
Webinars
Plant Pathology 101
When 03/10/2026
Length 1 hour session once a week for 4 weeks
Event Format Virtual | Live
Explore the fascinating world of plant pathogens in this four-part webinar series designed to deepen your understanding of plant diseases and strengthen your plant health management skills.
$20.00
News
Agronomy Highlights Podcast: Become a Sponsor!
Date Posted 11/11/2025
Support Penn State Extension by sponsoring the Agronomy Highlights Podcast, reaching engaged ag audiences with research-based insights and flexible sponsorship opportunities.
Workshops
Get in the Mood for Spring with Winter Sowing
When 02/07/2026
Length 2 hours
Event Format In-Person
Learn the advantages of winter sowing and how to start seeds in mini greenhouses. Gain hands-on experience with seed selection, soil, and sunlight for healthy spring transplants.
$15.00
Guides and Publications
Cooking for Crowds Manual
This manual helps nonprofits and volunteers understand the risks of preparing large quantities of food and the essential safety practices for a safe event.
Starting at $10.00
Articles
Recycling A Real Christmas Tree
After the holidays, there are many ways to reuse or recycle your real Christmas tree that can benefit your garden, your home, and the environment.
Online Courses
Understanding and Managing Stinging Insects
Sections 4
Length 3 hours
Learn to identify, assess, and manage bees, wasps, and hornets safely while supporting pollinators and protecting people, pets, and ecosystems.
$25.00
Articles
Cranberries, A Holiday Tradition
Whether you want to grow your own cranberries to use in your holiday celebrations or visit an area where they are growing in the wild, Pennsylvania is a place you can do both.
Articles
Holiday Plants and Pets
Can pets and holiday houseplants coexist? Find out which holiday plants to display with caution to keep your pets safe.
Articles
Preventing Winter Burn on Evergreen Landscape Plants
Winter burn can be a serious problem for evergreen plants, leading to browning of the leaves, branch dieback, or even plant death. Learn why this happens and what can be done to prevent this harmful desiccation from ruining the plants in your garden.
Articles
Hardy Cyclamen for the Home Garden
The familiar florist's cyclamen is not hardy enough to survive outdoors in our climate, but its diminutive cousins make beautiful additions to a shady garden.
News
Holiday Decorating with Fresh Greens
Date Posted 11/10/2025
Decorating with fresh greens has long been a holiday tradition. There are so many designs to choose from, including wreaths, swags, roping, table arrangements, garlands, and centerpieces.
Articles
Growing Gardeners: Growing Veggies from Veggies
Kids love to learn and watch things grow. A fun and easy way to recycle veggies is to regrow them in your very own kitchen.
Webinars
Home Gardening Series: Spring Blooming Bulbs
When 02/07/2026
Length 1 hour, 30 minutes
Event Format Virtual | Live
Explore the world of spring-blooming bulbs with Master Gardener Kevin Kelly, learning design strategies, bulb varieties, and practical tips for long-lasting garden displays.
$10.00
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.
