ABOUT OWA

Get to know the Octoraro Watershed Association

Our Mission

To protect and restore the natural resources of the scenic Octoraro Creek and to preserve and protect its farmlands, forest, and rural heritage through education, outreach, restoration, and community stewardship.

Our Vision

An Octoraro Watershed with healthy water quality, suitable for drinking, fishing, and swimming, sustainable farms and forests, and an educated public eager to restore and maintain the health of the watershed.

OWA’s Strategic Goals

OWA has set the following strategic goals to protect and preserve the natural and historic resources of the Octoraro Watershed:

Programs

All-volunteer programs that include:

  • Landowner outreach and implementation for both Amish and English communities

  • Buffer planting

  • Water quality monitoring

  • Community outreach and education, including stream and reservoir clean-ups, tables at events, photo contests, and a traveling exhibit

  • High school senior environmental scholarship

Partnership & Networking

Collaboration and networking with several partners to achieve these goals:

  • Octoraro Source Water Collaborative

  • Lancaster Clean Water Partners

  • Lancaster, Chester, and Cecil Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plans and Committees

  • Oxford Regional Planning Committee and EAC

  • Head of Chesapeake Watershed Alliance

Conservation and Sustainability Efforts

Current Focus:

Pennsylvania PA:

  • 20th year of Amish outreach

  • Conservation and Manure Management Plans

  • Adoption of BMPs (Best Management Practices)

  • Installation and maintenance of structural BMPs

Maryland MD:

  • "Urban" Stormwater

  • Forested Buffers

Learn More About Our Watershed & History

OUR HISTORY

OUR WATERSHED

Make a Difference

Join OWA

Get Involved

Volunteer

Take action

Donate

Give to Protect

Join a growing community that cares deeply about protecting local streams, forests, and wildlife through year-round conservation efforts

Contribute your time and energy to help with planting, outreach, and stream work that makes a lasting impact on the environment.

Help us restore stream health, expand education programs, and preserve natural spaces for future generations to enjoy and explore.