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
Videos
Touring the Penn State Digester
Length 3:44
Discover Penn State's anaerobic digester - turning cow and pig manure into renewable energy, cutting odors, and boosting farm sustainability.
Webinars
AgWorks: Farm Taxes—The Tax Side of Agritourism
When 02/03/2026
Length 2 hours
Event Format Virtual | Live
Learn how to separate farm and agritourism income, why it matters, and how to report it accurately. Optional hands-on tax scenarios help you apply what you learn.
Free
Articles
Understanding the New World Screwworm - Biology, Identification, and Prevention
An article detailing the New World screwworm and its impacts on animals.
Workshops
Vegetable and Field Crops Pesticide Update
When 03/26/2026
Length 3 hours
Event Format In-Person
Join Penn State Extension to earn pesticide recertification credits while learning vegetable and agronomic crop health and best management practices.
Free
Online Courses
Identification and Management of Invasive Vines in Forests
Sections 2
Length 1 hour, 30 minutes
Pesticide applicators learn how to identify and control invasive vines in wooded areas and forests in the Northeast. Earn PDA pesticide applicator credits.
$25.00
Guides and Publications
Food Safety Manager Course Manual
A manual for food safety managers that provides information regarding proper food safety and handling practices.
Starting at $24.00
Articles
Easy Energy Health Bites Recipe
A recipe card for healthy energy bites, including cooking instructions, required ingredients, and nutrition facts.
News
Inside PA Farmers Markets: Spending, Shopping, and Trends
Date Posted 10/21/2025
Penn State Extension conducted a comprehensive survey across multiple markets in 2025. Explore the findings and compare them to national trends to identify opportunities for growth and engagement.
News
2025 Pennsylvania Tree Fruit Maturity Report - October 21
Date Posted 10/21/2025
A weekly program to inform producers about the maturity of the most common apple cultivars sampled from three regions represented by three Pennsylvania counties: Adams, Berks, and Centre.
Workshops
Pesticide Applicator Category 10 Certification Exam Prep
When Multiple Options Available
Length 2 days, 4 hours each day
Event Format In-Person
Get prepared for the category 10 right-of-way applicator test with in-depth study review, practical guidance, and tips for exam success.
$85.00
Tools and Apps
Farm Energy Analysis with Anaerobic Digestion (FEAAD) tool
FEAAD is a user friendly model designed to evaluate energy use, nutrient balances, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic outcomes for different agricultural systems.
Webinars
Good Gardening Saturday: Small Space, Big Harvest
When 03/14/2026
Length 2 hours
Event Format Virtual | Live
Learn practical container gardening for herbs and vegetables on patios, balconies, or windowsills, with tips on selecting containers, planting, and plant care.
$10.00
News
2025 Post-Veraison in Pennsylvania - October 21
Date Posted 10/20/2025
This weekly news update reports on ripening progress of wine grape cultivars from commercial vineyards in Pennsylvania
Articles
Data Centers and Water Use in Pennsylvania
Data centers are increasing in number and size across Pennsylvania placing increasing demands on the state's water resources.
Articles
Make Your Farm Market the Go-To Destination
Turn your farm market into the place everyone wants to visit. Here are 9 steps to improve your on line marketing.
Webinars
Forest Seminar: Managing Forest Bird Habitat
When Multiple Options Available
Length 1 hour
Event Format Virtual | Live
Learn how uneven-aged forest management affects bird species of conservation concern and discover strategies to create diverse bird habitats on your land.
Free
Webinars
Good Gardening Saturday: Heavenly Hydrangeas
When 01/10/2026
Length 2 hours
Event Format Virtual | Live
Learn how to identify, plant, and care for hydrangeas while discovering tips to manage pests, improve blooms, and enhance color in this informative webinar with Master Gardeners.
$10.00
Webinars
Good Gardening Saturday: Winter Interest Gardening
When 02/14/2026
Length 2 hours
Event Format Virtual | Live
Discover creative ways to add beauty and interest to your garden all winter long, from container arrangements to landscape designs that brighten the season and lift your spirits.
$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.
