Conservation District Watershed Specialist (CDWS) Program
Forecasted
Conservation District Watershed Specialist (CDWS) Program supports county conservation districts with specialist staffing and adult education projects to protect and restore Pennsylvania watersheds.
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (Annual executive summary and supporting materials)
Funding Amounts: $50,250 annually for the Watershed Specialist position, plus up to $5,000 per county for education and outreach
Summary: Supports county conservation districts’ Watershed Specialist positions and adult education projects that protect and restore Pennsylvania watersheds.
Key Information: Funding is for Pennsylvania county conservation districts; Mini-Grant funds cannot support the Watershed Specialist position.
Description
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Conservation District Watershed Specialist (CDWS) Program funds county conservation districts to employ specialists who help communities improve water quality. Created in 2000, the program supports collaboration with watershed associations and other nongovernmental organizations, restoration grant development and management, water quality monitoring, and education for students of all ages.
Specialists provide technical, informational, and organizational assistance to protect and restore surface water and groundwater. Their work includes watershed assessment, restoration planning, conservation practices, citizen monitoring, and support for local watershed organizations. A separate Education and Outreach Mini-Grant supports workshops, field days, demonstration projects, and other water quality and pollution-prevention education for adult audiences.
