UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An upcoming webinar series offered by Penn State Extension through December will highlight what the latest science and data reveal about the health of Pennsylvania’s streams — and the solutions that can make a difference in protecting and enhancing water quality.

The Water Quality Insights series will bring together researchers from Penn State and professionals from other organizations to share field-based findings, watershed modeling results and real-world examples of how best management practices, or BMPs, are helping to protect and restore the state’s streams.

Organizers noted that each of the six sessions will break down complex research into practical insights for landowners, conservation professionals, educators and anyone interested in the future of clean water in the region. The one-hour webinars all will take place from 11 a.m. to noon on Fridays.

Webinars in the series include the following:

— Friday — Water Quality Insights: Best Management Practices 101. This introductory webinar of the series will provide an overview of the current water quality status of Pennsylvania streams, highlight the benefits of common urban and farm BMPs, and cover tools used by scientists to help track stream health and evaluate the effectiveness of these practices. Instructors said this session will provide a foundation for understanding how science informs watershed protection — and how everyone can be part of the solution.

— Oct. 24 — Water Quality Insights: Watershed Planning. Presenters will discuss the fundamentals of data-driven watershed planning in this session led by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Attendees can learn how data guides watershed plans, shapes decision-making processes and supports successful adaptive management efforts across the region.

— Nov. 7 — Water Quality Insights: U.S. Geological Survey Monitoring. Participants can get an overview of how the U.S. Geological Survey’s Pennsylvania Water Science Center monitors water quality in agricultural watersheds. This session will focus on locations and goals of USGS monitoring sites, types of data collected, and how that data is interpreted to inform land and water management decisions.

— Nov. 14 — Water Quality Insights: Floodplain Wetlands. Urban areas face unique water quality challenges, especially during heavy rainfall events. This session will introduce constructed floodplain wetlands as an innovative best management practice designed to improve stormwater quality and restore natural hydrologic functions. Participants will explore a case study from central Pennsylvania, where a constructed floodplain wetland has been implemented, providing valuable insights into its design, performance and impact on stream health.

— Nov. 21 — Water Quality Insights: PFAS in Agroecosystems. PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are emerging contaminants of concern in our landscapes. Aimed at landowners, conservation professionals, private well owners and anyone wanting to learn about PFAS in rural systems, this webinar will explore the latest research from Penn State on how PFAS moves through soil and water in agricultural systems and how it impacts stream water quality.

— Dec. 5 — Water Quality Insights: Watershed Nutrient Management. Excess nutrients remain a leading cause of stream impairment in Pennsylvania, posing challenges for water quality and farm management. This session will draw on decades of field-based research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit to examine nutrient movement through agricultural watersheds. Presenters will explore emerging management strategies that safeguard water resources and enhance on-farm fertilizer efficiency.

Penn State Extension offers these events at no charge, but registration is required to receive the link to access each webinar. The registration deadlines vary by event.

Links to the recorded webinars will be emailed to registrants within 10 business days after the live event. The recording will be accessible for six months from the event date.

More information is available on the https://extension.psu.edu/water-quality-insights.