The Watershed Circle is a peer to peer learning cohort designed specifically to support in our congregation in taking our first, and subsequent next steps, to preserve and protect our watersheds. The program is sponsored by Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light and our goal is to develop Community Watershed Protectors, who identify, plan, and complete a watershed preservation projects. 
Community Watershed Protectors can be brand new to watersheds or experienced leaders who are looking for support in mobilizing their community or dreaming up a new project. Community Watershed Projects can be education, planning, or implementation focused.  View the Watershed Circle Toolkit for more information.

Our UUCWV Watershed Circle meets on the second Sunday of the month, after the Sunday Service (12:00 or 12:30 PM).  On site and virtual meeting options are available.  Contact Eoin for more information.  Join us!

Why should I consider joining the Watershed Circle?

The Watershed Circle is unique in a number of ways. Our five guiding principles in convening this cohort are:
  • Faith Responsive - that is, we are seeking to provide support that is responsive to the unique opportunities and challenges that arise in faith and value-based settings.
  • Community Led - that is, we are seeking to resource communities in identifying and leading change in their watershed from the ground up (no forced solutions here!).
  • Environmental Justice - that is, we are seeking to center environmental justice as a praxis from which our work emerges and grows (more on our commitment to Environmental Justice).
  • Peer Learning - that is, we recognize that we are not the sole experts but that our role is to unlock the wisdom and expertise of lived experience in the room.
  • Project Coaching - that is, we recognize that access to technical expertise and project coaching can be difficult and confusing, and we are committed to sharing resources and referrals that equip and empower communities to take watershed action.

What is a Community Watershed Project?

Community Watershed Projects are defined pretty broadly to allow us choices, as our members have various levels of watershed knowledge and practice.

Community Watershed Projects can include:
Pedagogical-focused:
  • Hosting a watershed-focused educational workshop or event at your congregation
  • Co-hosting a watershed-focused event or listening session in your community
  • Writing an education series for your congregation/community newsletter or handouts
  • Posting educational information about watersheds on your congregation or community boards or website
  • Sharing your congregation or community’s watershed story with others
Planning-focused:
  • Mapping out what types of watershed projects would be possible for your congregation or community
  • Building a watershed volunteer base and leadership goals for your congregation or community
  • Identifying funding streams for designing and implementing desired watershed projects
  • Discerning your congregation’s watershed next steps if you recently completed another environmental or justice project
Project-focused:
  • Completing a congregational or community watershed audit
  • Installing a rain barrel
  • Hosting a trash clean up
  • Becoming a secondary distribution site for PA Plants Native!
  • Planting native trees
  • Installing a rain or pollinator garden

Our Current Project: Building a Pollinator Garden

Our group is currently working on the installation of a pollinator garden onsite at the Church.  We are in the planning stages and hope to get the garden installed this spring.   Pollinator gardens help watersheds by preventing runoff pollution, reducing erosion, and improving soil health through the use of native plants. The deep roots of these plants absorb and filter rainwater, slowing its flow and cleaning it before it reaches creeks and rivers. This process also helps reduce flooding and holds soil in place. 
More information to come.

Watershed Resources

How’s My Waterway  |   A great website from the Environmental Protection Agency that lets you find both what watersheds you live in and how they are doing.

Pennsylvania Watersheds  |  Another fun website with an interactive map that lets you find our more about your watersheds.

Stroud Water Research Center  |  The Stroud Water Research Center advances knowledge and stewardship of freshwater systems through global research, education, and watershed restoration.

Watershed Friendly Certification  |  The Watershed Friendly Certification program will teach you how to make your home more watershed friendly.

Stormwater Basics  |   One of many great Penn State Extension websites with lots of videos and articles all about stormwater.

Stormwater Basics Toolkit  |   If you are simply looking for a way to help protect or improve your watershed or you are doing a small home improvement project that creates new impervious area and you need to manage the stormwater that is generated, this guide from Penn State Extension is for you.

Center for Watershed Protection  |  Founded in 1992, The Center for Watershed Protection began as a nonprofit organization dedicated to research and education on watersheds. With an initial focus on protecting urban streams from the impacts of land development, the organization has grown over the years to become a national leader on stormwater management and watershed planning.

Waterwatch  |  Waterwatch is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) World Wide Web site that displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and past streamflow conditions for the United States.

Ecoregions  |  Ecoregions are geographical areas that have similar functioning ecosystems that broadly define the characteristics of a region.  There are many definitions and examples but the Ecoregion Map of North America from the Environmental Protection Agency is widely used.  Our church is in:
            Level 1: 8 - Eastern Temperate Forest
            Level 2: 8.1 - Mixed wood plains
            Level 3: 60 - Northern Appalachian Plateau
            Level 4: 60a - Glaciated Low Plateau
You can find out more at the EPA Ecoregions website.