UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In 2020, Bethany Canner became an inaugural member of the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteer program in the Lower Susquehanna region. However, her curiosity and interest in watershed management date back to her childhood.
“I grew up with a small stream in our yard and was always exploring the environment around it,” Canner recalled. “As an adult, our property borders the Swatara Creek, and I wanted to learn more about being a good steward of the creek and the land bordering it. The Master Watershed Steward program was a perfect way to gain that knowledge and connect to a community of like-minded people. I left the workforce to raise my children and run our farm, and the program has also allowed me to use my biology degree to help my community.”
In her time as a Master Watershed Steward, Canner has had “a hand in a little bit of everything.” She has helped with initiatives such as creating rain barrels, hosting tree sales, planting riparian buffers, educating the public at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and working with the Penn State Extension Master Well Owner Network.
“Bethany is very knowledgeable in watershed skills and one of the most dedicated stewards we have in the Lower Susquehanna region,” said Jim Lewis, Master Watershed Steward coordinator for Dauphin, Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. “She consistently makes herself available for projects and workdays and donates her time selflessly.”
In conjunction with her work as a Master Watershed Steward, Canner is the president of the Swatara Watershed Association. Many of her volunteer hours are devoted to association initiatives such as the Swatara Sojourn — a guided kayak trip with educational programming — and maintaining the Swatara Water Trail.
In October 2024, Canner helped plan Waterways on Wheels at Swatara State Park in Lebanon County. This event featured a 10-mile bike loop through the park along both banks of the Swatara Creek and included two education presentations. Canner gave one of the presentations on the historical uses of the creek and the impacts those uses still are having today.
Canner is currently on the planning committee for the first Lebanon County Community Water Day, which will be held March 29 at the Mount Gretna Fire Hall in Mount Gretna Heights. The event will include demonstrations about rain barrels and macroinvertebrates, water quality testing, and children’s activities.
“This Master Watershed Steward-sponsored event will bring together local, state and national government and nongovernment groups focused on water conservation,” she said. “It’s geared toward all members of the community.”
According to Lewis, Master Watershed Stewards contributed 44,000 volunteer hours in 2024 alone. Volunteer labor, valued at $1.4 million, resulted in planting 29,000 trees and restoring 18 acres of habitat and eight miles of streams. Lewis said volunteers across Pennsylvania have connected with more than 90,000 residents via 116 workshops, 266 community events and 92 school events. More than 235 Master Watershed Stewards sit on municipal boards and participate in community watershed associations.
“There are so many ways to volunteer, and most don’t require a shovel!” Canner added. “There is always a way you can help no matter your abilities. You can be out front, or you can stay behind the scenes — and either will make an impact.”
The Penn State Master Watershed Steward program provides extensive training in watershed management to volunteers who, in return, educate the community about watershed stewardship based on university research and recommendations. The program was established to strengthen local capacity for management and protection of watersheds, streams and rivers by educating and empowering volunteers across the commonwealth.
Anyone interested in becoming a Master Watershed Steward can learn more at the program’s website.