The Howard County Watershed Stewards Academy Advisory Committee is recruiting volunteers for the first class of local Watershed Stewards.  A class of about 20 adults will begin a 15-week course on Oct. 2, 2012 to learn how to design and build projects that will reduce the amount of stormwater runoff that flows from rooftops, roads, and parking lots into streams and rivers in Howard County and the Chesapeake Bay.

Each Watershed Steward will be given the tools to design and build a Capstone Project that will provide solutions to stormwater management problems on residential property in Howard County. An Information Night is scheduled on Aug. 28 at 7 pm at the Miller Branch Library, Ellicott City, MD.

The program is sponsored by experts in Howard County Government, the University of Maryland Extension Howard County, the Center for Watershed Protection, Columbia Association and the Howard County Legacy Leadership Institute for the Environment. The deadline for enrollment is Sept. 12, 2012.  The program is open to adults over 18 years of age.  Classes will be held at University of Maryland Extension offices, 3300 N. Ridge Rd., Suite 240, Ellicott City, MD.  A fee of $250 is due at enrollment and scholarships are available.