Watershed Steward Program
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge includes the sentence, "Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink."
The Water Steward Program in Clark County is working to help that to never be a local issue. That is one of several programs offered by our own extension office, located at 11104 N.E. 149th Street, Brush Prairie, just west of State Highway 503 (117th Avenue).
Coordinated by Jenifer Naas, the Watershed Stewards Program is paid for with clean water fees billed to property owners of $33 per year (or less in cases of acreage). It includes the popular community workshops for rain gardens and rain barrels. The rain gardens class, taught on location at the extension office, includes a tour of the rain gardens at that location and many examples of others throughout Clark County . Students paying the materials fee for the rain barrel workshop leave at the end of the class with a finished rain barrel to use in their own yard. There is also a workshop for permeable pavers to educate people to help direct more water back into the soil and reduce run-off.
Naas said it was difficult to choose a favorite part of her job since she likes all parts of it but decided on outreach. During outreach activities, she meets a large variety of people and is always interested in their stories and what they have to offer.
The three parts of the program are volunteer training, community workshops, and storm drain stenciling. There are currently approximately 130 active volunteers. Each volunteer has attended ten weeks of training, offered twice a year, with 35 hours of training and two field trips. The training is free with each volunteer required to volunteer back 40 hours to do outreach or other watershed activities such as restoration, stenciling storm drains or taking on their own projects. Approximately 50 percent of volunteers who complete the program continue in some capacity after the initial 40 hour commitment with 25 percent being very active. The importance of continuing volunteers has become even more important with each budget cut.
When asked what she would put on a wish list, Naas said advanced skills offering and more different kinds of workshops. The volunteers are interested in learning more so they can do more.
There will be people representing the Extension Office on April 18th at the Marshall Center for Earth Day. They will also be at the Home and Garden Idea Fair, April 24-26 and at Clark County Fair, August 7-16. When there are volunteers available, they are also at the Farmers Market.
Contact Information
Jenifer Naas
(360) 397-6060, Extension 7703
Watershed.Stewards@clark.wa.gov