Web Syllabus version 2.0, 07/03/12
Howard County
Watershed Stewards Academy
(HoCoWSA)
Syllabus: Certification Course, Fall 2012-Spring 2013
Course Outline (October 2, 2012 – April 6, 2013)
The classes will be on Tuesdays from 6 pm to 9 pm at the University of Maryland Extension
Office (3300 N. Ridge Road, Suite #240, Ellicott City, MD 21043). Please note the fieldwork on
three Saturdays, mornings and afternoons. The class size will be limited to 25 Stewards.
Session 1, Tue., Oct. 2, Introduction to Watershed Stewards Academy
Session Description: WSA Coordinators will summarize the course, including the Capstone
Project and other requirements for certification as a Master Watershed Steward. Faculty will
present basic information about the Chesapeake Bay watershed, about water quality of local
streams and rivers and how stream health is monitored.
Session Objectives: Stewards will be introduced to the Chesapeake Bay watershed and will gain
an understanding of stream health indicators and local stream conditions.
Session 2, Tue., Oct. 9, Watershed Science and Land-Use Change
Session Description: Faculty will present basic watershed science and the effects of land-use
change on watershed health, particularly as the changes relates to local conditions.
The impact of impervious cover to watersheds will be further explored through an interactive
exercise.
Session Objectives: Stewards will gain an understanding of how our land-use has changed the
natural hydrology in our county and how this has adversely affected stream health.
Session 3, Tue., Oct. 16, Introduction to Water Systems and Water Policies
Session Description: Faculty will describe the basics of the Three W’s - stormwater, drinking
water and wastewater systems - and how these systems interact with one another. Faculty will
explain the Clean Water Act and implications for the Bay and will review the overall health of
the Bay and its tributaries. Faculty will define and describe watershed plans, Total Maximum
Daily Loads (TMDLs) and local Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs).
Session Objectives: Stewards will gain an understanding of how different water systems affect
each other. They will understand how the Clean Water Act is useful for setting targets for
reducing water pollution in the Bay watershed.
Session 4, Tue., Oct. 23, Water Pollution Sources
Session Description: Faculty will discuss point and non-point source pollution from residential,
commercial and industrial sites. Faculty will describe how to differentiate between dry weather
and wet weather pollutions sources, how to recognize illicit discharges and introduce the concept
of pollution “hotspots.”
Session Objective: Stewards will learn about pollution sources from various sites. Stewards will
differentiate between point and non-point pollution sources as well as dry weather and wet
weather pollution sources.
Session 5, Sat., Oct.27, 8 am – 4 pm, Introduction to Soils and Native Plants and
Stormwater Tours: An Overview of Problems, Solutions and Lessons Learned
Session Description: Faculty will discuss soil types and how the soil can affect the choice of
stormwater management (SWM) projects and design. Faculty will describe how and why native
plants are used in SWM projects, and why non-native plants, particularly invasive plant species,
may pose problems. Faculty will lead stewards on tours of several sites that demonstrate
problems, solutions and lessons learned about SWM.
Session Objective: Stewards will learn about soils and native plants and threats from non-native
invasive plants. Stewards will observe a variety of SWM problems and solutions.
Session 6, Tue., Nov. 6, Pollution Solutions
Session Description: Faculty will discuss the Three P’s of solving pollution problems –
Prevention, Policy & Practices. Prevention strategies described will include pollution source
control, nutrient management and infrastructure maintenance (e.g. household, septic). Policy
measures discussed will focus on local responses to required implementation of the Clean Water
Act (NPDES permits, TMDLs and local codes and ordinances). Practices described will include
on-the-ground restoration strategies and best management practices.
Session Objective: Stewards will learn the application of the Three P’s to solve pollution
problems.
Session 7, Sat., Nov. 10, 9 am – 4 pm. Assessments
Session Description: Faculty will describe various assessment tools to be used for
neighborhoods, hotspots and for a single site. Stewards will break into smaller groups and go out
into the community to practice using these site assessment tools.
Session Objective: Stewards will gain familiarity with general techniques for assessing various
sites for problems and solutions, with attention to the tools, calculations, and data collection
needed. Stewards will practice the assessments and conduct a site assessment as a group at the
site proposed for a Class Restoration Project.
Session 8, Tue., Nov. 20, Improving Stormwater Infiltration: Conservation
Landscaping and Rain Gardens
Session Description: Faculty will describe two approaches to handling stormwater runoff,
conservation landscaping and rain gardens. Faculty will discuss how to 1) assess risks and
benefits of each practice, 2) decide which practice is preferred, and 3) design, install and
maintain each practice.
Session Objectives: Stewards will learn more about improving stormwater infiltration as a way
to mitigate runoff using rain gardens and conservation landscaping.
***Winter Break***
Session 9, Tue., Jan. 8, 2013, Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) and to Project Planning
Session Description: Faculty will present an overview of GIS - what it is, how it works, and why
it is helpful. Faculty will assist Stewards as they begin to integrate their newfound knowledge to
plan a class project.
Session Objective: Stewards will learn basic GIS and its application for their work. Stewards
will use GIS to calculate impervious surface and stormwater runoff for a site under supervision
of an instructor. They will continue designing the class project.
Session 10, Tue., Jan. 15, Planning: Class Project Design and Capstone Project
Proposals
Session Description: Faculty will review project needs (e.g., permits, county personnel input)
the class will choose the best design to implement for the Class Restoration Project. Capstone
Project groups will plan their Project Proposals.
Session Objectives: Stewards will understand the basics of project planning and budgeting.
Stewards will choose a Class Restoration Project design to implement. Stewards will work on
Capstone Project Proposals
Session 11, Tue., Jan. 22, GIS Review and Community Presentations
Session Description: Faculty will guide Stewards in review and practice of GIS skills and
techniques. Stewards will give, individually, five-minute presentations about watershed topics.
Session Objective: Stewards will hone GIS skills. Stewards will gain experience in conducting
community outreach on watershed issues and will receive feedback from classmates and staff
about the presentations.
Session 12, Tue., Jan. 29, Volunteer Experiences, Project Partnerships, and
Community Presentations
Session Description: Faculty, including three Howard County watershed volunteers, will discuss
the importance of partnerships for completing successful projects, where and how to look for
funding and the importance of including stakeholders in project planning. Stewards will give,
individually, five-minute presentations about watershed topics.
Session Objective: Stewards will gain understanding of problems they may encounter during
their stewardship project. They will gain insight on establishing partnerships, writing grants and
finding funding sources. Stewards will gain experience in conducting community outreach on
watershed issues and will receive feedback from classmates and staff about the presentation.
Session 13, Tue., Feb. 5, Marketing Your Knowledge and Skills about Watershed
Issues and Introduction to WSA Consortium Members
Session Description: Faculty will describe ways to become successful and effective leaders in
your communities. WSA Consortium members will describe their areas of expertise and how
they can support the work of Stewards.
Session Objective: Stewards will gain insight into public perception of watershed issues and
ways to engage their communities. Stewards will understand what resources the experienced
practioners of the WSA Consortium can contribute to Capstone Projects.
Please reserve Feb. 12 and 19 as “snow days.”
Session 14, Tue., Feb. 26, Capstone Project Proposals
Session Description: In groups, Stewards will describe their Capstone Project Proposals
including proposed leadership efforts and strategies for building knowledge, understanding and
community partnerships.
Session Objective: Stewards will receive feedback from peers and Consortium members on their
Capstone Project Proposals.
Session 15, Sat., April 6, 9 am – 2 pm, (Location to be announced) Class
Restoration Project (Rain date, Sat., April 13, 9 am – 2 pm)
Session Description: WSA staff will oversee Stewards as they implement the class project in
SWM (e.g., rain garden installation) from plans produced during the course.
Session Objective: Stewards will gain field experience by implementing a SWM project, thus
integrating all they have learned throughout the course. Stewards will gain an understanding of
the effectiveness of the SWM practice by follow-up monitoring.
Session 16, Late October-November 2013, Capstone Project Showcase
Session Description: Stewards will describe their completed projects to the entire group.
Session Objective: This last session will highlight the completion of the capstone projects.
Stewards will receive feedback on the entire project.
3. Please direct questions to Howard County Watershed Stewards Academy at
[email protected] or to Barbara Schmeckpeper, HoCoWSA Coordinator, 410-381-5279.
Requirements for Initial Certification:
● Complete the Watershed Stewards Academy coursework, consistent with the attendance
policy, below.
● Complete the Capstone Project.
Requirements for Annual Maintenance of Certification:
● Provide 40 hours of community service for watershed actions similar to those provided
during completing of the capstone project.
● Complete 12 hours of continuing education activities.
● Attend Watershed Steward networking opportunities (to be specified).
Attendance Policy
The Academy encourages attendance at all the training classes and field trips. We maintain the
following policy for missed classes.
Stewards who miss up to two classes due to pre-scheduled conflicts (as reported to the
WSA Coordinators, at the time of interview) or illness/injury/emergency may make up
class material as determined by the Academy Coordinators (e.g., by partnering with a
Steward who attended a session, by reading background material or by attending a makeup
activity). It is the responsibility of the Steward to make up missed classes by
contacting another Steward to obtain materials and review coursework. Although we will
make reasonable efforts to assist the Steward in make-up of a missed class, this may not
always be possible. If a person misses more than two classes, the candidate is unlikely to
receive certification at the end of the course. Exceptions to this policy will be handled on
a case-by-case basis.
Homework Policy
A WSA participant can expect to have reading assignments, problems to be solved illustrating
GIS concepts, and assignments in design of SWM practices. You will be responsible for
presenting a short talk about a SWM issue of your choosing.
Class Restoration Project
The class will design, plan and install a stormwater management project.
Capstone Project
Working in small groups, you and your classmates will complete Capstone Projects,
incorporating assessment of stormwater problems of the chosen watershed and community
engagement to mitigate the problems. Capstone Projects should be completed by August 31,
2013.
Required elements of the Capstone Project:
Explore your Sub-watershed. Perform an assessment in your chosen sub-watershed or
neighborhood utilizing the watershed assessment tools presented in Session 7
(Assessments) and GIS mapping applications presented in the coursework (Sessions 9
and 11). Summarize the results of your assessments in your Capstone Project Proposal.
Engage your Community. You and your teammates will engage and educate community
stakeholders on relevant environmental issues and possible solutions. Use a variety of
outreach efforts tailored to your community’s specific demographics and needs. A
minimum of three (3) outreach/education events (employing different strategies) should
be part of the Project.
Move to Action. Your team will create and execute a community-based action project
chosen from the needs identified in your community assessment. The project will
incorporate feedback obtained from community stakeholders through your community
engagement activities. Action projects should be focused in at least two areas:
Reduction of Pollution at its Source. Your team will create and execute a strategy
for reducing pollutants introduced to the environment in your neighborhood,
using the results of your neighborhood assessments and feedback from
community engagement events. Each Capstone Project should include one such
strategy (i.e. reducing nutrient run-off from pet waste, or fertilizers; reducing
pollution from pesticides).
Reduction of Stormwater Runoff. Your team will complete at least three (3)
landscaping projects that will reduce or slow the flow of stormwater off
developed landscapes. These could include rain gardens, tree plantings, rain
barrels or conservation landscapes.
Inclement Weather Policy
HoCoWSA classes will not be held if Howard County Public Schools are closed due to
inclement weather.
The three Saturdays of field classes have outdoor components that will be held rain or shine.
Participants should arrive for these classes prepared to be comfortable in the outdoors (proper
footwear, sunscreen, raingear, water bottles, etc.).
Contacts for More Information
Sylvia Huestis, HoCoWSA Coordinator, [email protected].
Barbara Schmeckpeper, Ph.D., HoCoWSA Coordinator, Master Watershed Steward (Anne
Arundel County WSA), 410-381-5279 or [email protected].