With this in mind, the School of Forest Resources joined with the Department of Landscape Architecture to form the Center for Watershed Stewardship. The center also hopes to work with other academic programs at Penn State to offer the option. Our graduate option also gives them training in the social and political side. Landscape architecture students receive deeper scientific training in areas such as biological assessment, hydrology, and forestry. Forestry students learn more about planning, community involvement, and the process of developing a watershed plan.
Students also work in teams on yearlong community service projects.
The City of Reading's reservoir near the mouth of this watershed is being affected by nonpoint source runoff from development and agriculture. We're helping the conservancy create their plan by assessing the watershed. We're looking at such factors as land use, riparian vegetation, stream channel physical and biological conditions, and cultural and historic attributes. Students also are helping the conservancy review the land use controls already in place, such as subdivision regulations, zoning ordinances, and how the community is addressing such problems as stormwater management and pollution. Then, with the local steering committee advising the conservancy, they will identify priorities.