Introduction

Welcome to the Watershed Academy's Distance Learning Program -- Watershed Academy Web -- a set of self-paced training modules that represents a basic but broad introduction to watershed management. This program's goal is to provide useful information to local and state/tribal efforts aimed at improving the health of our Nation's waters by protecting and managing their watersheds.

These training modules cover the most important watershed management topics, about which watershed managers, local officials, involved citizens, decision makers, and others should have at least an introductory level of knowledge. Web modules resemble interactive 'guest lectures' by leaders in watershed management. Unlike an average technical paper, many modules are visually rich and contain 25 to 50 color illustrations and photos. Typically a module contains many hot links for those seeking greater detail, while module-specific glossaries are there for beginners. Self-tests enable trainees to check their retention and see immediate results.

The length and complexity of each module varies, but most are at the college freshman level of instruction and require ½ to 2 hours each to complete. Completing a series of 15 of these modules earns the Watershed Academy Web Training Certificate.

Developing the Watershed Academy Web Program

The nationwide demand for watershed training far exceeds its availability. Since the USEPA's Watershed Academy began watershed training in 1994, its live courses have been consistently overfilled. Live courses are the most common training medium, but a limited budget can only support a small number of classes. Through the Internet, the Watershed Academy can reach many times more people with similar watershed training information based on its courses. As a training medium, the Internet has the following strengths:

• No cost. Although most Watershed Academy courses do not charge tuition, there are still expenses for most participants to travel to sessions. Watershed Academy Web eliminates these costs.
• Available worldwide anytime.Live courses are offered seldom, at very few locations; Watershed Academy Web is available anytime, anywhere.
• Self-paced instruction. Unlike live courses that sometimes progress too quickly or slowly for the individual learner, the pace of instruction in Watershed Academy Web is within the student's own control.
• Perpetual review potential. All Watershed Academy Web materials remain available for revisiting and review at any time, unlike live courses whose instruction cannot ever be recaptured in full.
• Coverage of key topics. Whereas live short courses sometimes cannot fit all the desired topics in a few days, the Internet does not face this limit and can cover as many key topics as desired.
• Flexibility to customize. Trainees may pick and choose the training modules most suited to their own jobs, training needs, and education. They may choose to specialize in one theme, or orient toward basic but comprehensive coverage of the whole watershed management field through the certificate program.

How the Training is Organized

The multiple disciplines covered in the Watershed Academy Web modules are grouped into six watershed training themes (below) that were selected by watershed practitioners from local and state governments, federal agencies, and universities:

• Introduction/Overview. These modules introduce the principles of the watershed approach and the value of working at a watershed level.
• Watershed Ecology. These modules show that watersheds are natural systems that provide substantial benefits to people and the environment when they are kept in good condition.
• Watershed Change. These modules describe both natural and human-induced changes in watersheds, and compare normal changes with changes of concern.
• Analysis and Planning. These modules address how watershed planning, monitoring and assessment are important first steps toward solving problems.
• Management Practices. These modules show how watershed management challenges such as urban runoff, cropland management, forestry and other issues are addressed by techniques that reduce environmental impacts.
• Community/Social Context. These modules cover social issues, communications, relevant laws and regulations. They concentrate on the human element of watershed management.

About the Watershed Academy

The Watershed Academy was started by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water in 1994 to provide training courses and educational materials on the basics of a watershed approach. Our target audience includes local, state, tribal, and federal officials as well as citizens and private practitioners of watershed management. The Watershed Academy has four main components:

• live watershed training courses;
• web-based training;
• Information Transfer Series publications; and
• State/Tribal watershed program assistance.

For more information see: http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/wacademy/