The Penn State Master Watershed Steward Program in Lehigh and Northampton counties will be training a new class of volunteers this coming spring.

The program, which serves as a model for counties across Pennsylvania, provides 40 hours of water and natural resource training for residents who have an interest in the environment, a willingness to learn more and a strong desire to make a difference in the community.

After training, volunteers are able to engage in a number of projects in the region to help protect streams, rivers and wildlife habitat on an on-going basis.

Examples of watershed projects and programs include designing and installing demonstration rain gardens or streamside plantings, and organizing educational workshops to address such topics as backyard conservation or homeowner stormwater management.

The new training program will begin March 10 and continue subsequent Wednesdays 6-8:30 p.m. through early June.

The session will take place at partnering environmental organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley.

The curriculum also features three hands-on Saturday field trips.

For more information about the Master Watershed Steward Program, costs and volunteer commitment, or to request an application for the 2015 training program, contact Erin Frederick at 610-391-9840 or at elf145@psu.edu, extension.psu.edu/Lehigh.

Applications are due by Jan. 9.

An information session will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Lehigh County Agricultural Center, 4184 Dorney Park Road, South Whitehall.

The 2015 Master Watershed Steward Program is a collaborative effort of Penn State Extension, the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, Northampton County Conservation District, Appalachian Mountain Club, Wildlands Conservancy, the Lehigh Gap Nature Center, the Nurture Nature Center, Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.