Watershed Stewards Program - in partnership with AmeriCorps

Four people in waders trek through a stream while carrying walking sticks. The stream is surrounded by dense, low-hanging branches on both sides.

WSP Corpsmembers Kalvin Joe, Katharine Major, and Emily Cox surveying a creek with WSP Mentor Eric Ettlinger.

Targeted Conservation Programs

Meet WSP’s Current Corpsmembers and Mentors

The Watershed Stewards Program (WSP) is dedicated to improving watershed health by actively engaging in restoration science, civic service, and community education while empowering the next generation of environmental stewards.

Apply to be a WSP Corpsmember

Apply to be a WSP Placement Site

WSP does this by placing its Corpsmembers with scientists (Mentors) at environmental organizations (Placement Sites) around the state to assist with watershed data collection and analysis, as well as restoration project development and maintenance. Ultimately, Corpsmembers serve with WSP to help bring threatened and endangered salmonids back to healthy populations by improving watershed health.

WSP Corpsmembers also provide watershed education to students at lower-income public schools using the program’s watershed science curriculum. They also recruit community volunteers to tackle watershed projects that local organizations might not otherwise have the resources to complete.

Funding Sources

California Conservation Corps
CDFW Fisheries Restoration Grant Program
AmeriCorps and California Volunteers Grants
Placement Site Partner Match

Key Program Accomplishments

Engaged 1,492 WSP Corpsmembers in watershed science for more than 29 years
Partnered with 86 different environmental organizations (state, federal, county, non-profit, and tribal)
Inventoried more than 45,969 miles through stream, riparian, and upslope surveys
Developed more than 1,984 Watershed Awareness Volunteer Events (WAVEs)
Engaged more than 30,221 community volunteers with hands-on restoration projects (WAVEs)
Instructed more than 55,310 students in watershed science and conservation
Conducted outreach to more than 336,185 students and community members

WSP In Your Community

WSP Corpsmembers teach the Wonders of Watersheds (WOW!) education series across California. WOW! is a series of five 80-minute interactive lessons pertaining to water usage, the life of a salmon, human impacts and interactions with watersheds, water conservation, solutions to pollution, and the importance of biodiversity.
WSP Corpsmembers lead field trips, teach five WOW! lessons to a single classroom, lead educational games, and organize service-learning opportunities for schools, after-school clubs, or community groups.
WSP Corpsmembers help with volunteer days and other outreach events. Corpsmembers can lead activities, present fish dissections, and engage audiences of all ages.
WSP Corpsmembers help you get involved with your watershed. WSP Corpsmembers organize hands-on volunteer events in their service communities.

Contact WSP via email at wsp.info@ccc.ca.gov to learn more and find out if Corpsmembers are available in your community.

If you are a young adult looking to gain more experience in the watershed and fisheries field visit WSP’s How to Apply page to start your journey.

WSP partners with restoration and conservation organizations every year. If you’re interested in having WSP Corpsmembers at your organization’s site visit our Placement Sites webpage to learn more.

Visit WSP’s social media sites:

WSP Offices

Eureka WSP (Region I)
1315 4th Street
Eureka, CA 95501
707-725-8601

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San Luis Obispo WSP (Region II)
1527 Madera Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805-835-8584