Watershed Alliance of Adams County Webinar
April 7 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Tuesday, April 7, 12-1 p.m.: Native Plants: Teaching Tips and Tools for Adoption. Learn what motivates landscaping choices and how to start a conversation around native plants that supports conservation, aesthetic, and maintenance landscaping goals. Tools and resources that are applicable nationally will be shared to help guide species selection and connect to native plant sources at local levels. Part of the National Extension Native Plant Initiative’s spring webinar series. Free. Pre-registration required.
Tuesday, April 14, 12-1 p.m.: Native Plants: Local Ecotypes and the Role of Seed Banks. Learn why local ecotype matters for native plants and seed collection. Topics will range from the current availability of regional seed throughout the U.S. to a case study of the successes and challenges of seed conservation from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank. Free. Pre-registration required.
Tuesday, April 14, 12-1:30 p.m.: Headwaters and Haikus. Headwaters may be small, but they have a big impact, shaping rivers, forests, and the wildlife and communities that rely on them. This webinar explores the vital role these first streams play in supporting ecosystems, maintaining water quality, and sustaining human and natural communities. Participants will learn what headwaters are, how they function, and the challenges they face, then shift into the art of haiku as a tool for observing and appreciating nature’s details. Through this session, attendees will see how science and poetry complement one another, sharing themes of observation, simplicity, and connection—no writing or science background required, just curiosity and a willingness to explore. $5. Pre-registration required.
Thursday, April 16, 12-1:30 p.m.: Mid-Atlantic Agroforestry: Planning a Forest Farm. Forest farming is the intentional stewardship and cultivation of harvestable, non-timber forest products such as maple syrup, ginseng, ramps, and mushroom logs. Participants will gain a practical introduction to starting and managing a forest farm, including site selection, common operation types, maintenance considerations, and current and emerging market opportunities. Whether you are exploring a new enterprise or looking to diversify an existing woodland, this session offers foundational knowledge to help you move forward with confidence. Free. Pre-registration required.
Tuesday, April 21, 12-1 p.m.: Native Plants: Small Scale Seed Collection and Storage. This presentation will focus on the best practices in collecting and storing native seed from herbaceous and woody plants intended for further processing or out-planting. Learn how to assess seed ripeness and the strategies for harvesting, labeling, drying and processing seeds on a small scale. While the presentation will be from a Mid-Atlantic perspective, the techniques for seed handling are applicable nationally. Free. Pre-registration required.
Thursday, April 23, 12-1 p.m.: Creating and Maintaining a Rainwater Catchment System. As urbanization intensifies, stormwater challenges are becoming more frequent and severe, increasing the risk of flooding and pollution in local waterways. Collecting and storing rainwater offers a practical, site-level solution to help manage runoff and protect water quality. This webinar from Penn State Extension’s Water Team will introduce common types of rainwater harvesting systems and share practical guidance on designing, using, and maintaining an effective system for your property. $10. Pre-registration required.
Tuesday, April 28, 12-1 p.m.: Native Plants: Community Collaboration for Seed Conservation. Learn about how collaboration can strengthen efforts to support native seed conservation. This presentation will highlight how the MD Forest Service sources seed for its state nursery, and the statewide coordination among colleagues, communities, nonprofits, academia and youth groups to make it happen. The challenges of timely delivery and proper storage will also be examined. The techniques shared and statewide networks discussed are broadly applicable and accessible beyond the Mid-Atlantic. Free. Pre-registration required.
Wednesday, April 29, 12-1 p.m.: Concentrated Flow Pathways in Buffers. Riparian buffers play a critical role in protecting stream health by filtering runoff from agricultural fields when water moves as sheet flow. However, landscape topography and intense rainfall events often cause runoff to concentrate into defined flow pathways, increasing the speed and potential for nutrient and pesticide transport. This presentation shares findings from soil sampling conducted within riparian buffers across the Halfmoon Creek Watershed, examining how concentrated flow pathways influence nutrient and pesticide movement. Participants will gain insight into practical strategies to mitigate concentrated flow and strengthen the effectiveness of riparian buffers in safeguarding water quality. Free. Pre-registration required.
Wednesday, April 29, 12-1 p.m.: When Seasons Shift: New Challenges for Nature. Discover why certain natural events occur at nearly the same time each year. This webinar explores phenology—the study of nature’s seasonal timing—and how environmental cues guide events such as frog calls, bird migration, spring bud break, and fall leaf color. Learn how climate shifts are altering these patterns, creating mismatches among species and affecting ecosystems, wildlife behavior, and human activities tied to seasonal cycles. Penn State Extension will discuss how species interactions and life-history strategies are being influenced by these changing conditions. $5. Pre-registration required.