Protecting, Preserving, and Restoring the Youghiogheny River Watershed

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We advocate to prevent continued impacts to the watershed primarily caused by fossil fuel extraction.

Learn about how we are pursuing on-the-ground restoration of past environmental damages.

We help to create and enhance recreational opportunities for local residents and visitors.

About MWA

Mountain Watershed Association's mission is to protect, preserve and restore the Youghiogheny River watershed and its broader communities through conservation, recreation, education, and advocacy. We pursue on-the-ground restoration of past environmental damages while we advocate to protect the watershed from new sources of pollution, primarily caused by fossil fuel development.

Dollar General Wants a New Store in Indian Head

March 18, 2024

Dollar General is seeking to build a new Dollar General store in Indian Head, Fayette County, along the Indian Creek and Indian Creek Valley Trail. Specifically, Dollar General hopes to…

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A Look into the Swallow Falls Bridge Replacement Project

March 18, 2024

The Garrett County Engineering Department is working to construct a new bridge in Swallow Falls State Park, more specifically, in the Youghiogheny Scenic and Wild River Corridor. Swallow Falls Road, which…

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Remembering Black History in Appalachia

February 29, 2024

Picture a coal miner. Who do you see? Probably a man, face coated with coal dust, peering out from under a headlamp. Under the coal dust, you’d likely imagine his…

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2023 Year in Review

February 22, 2024

Having trouble seeing this application? VIEW SIMPLE PDF HERE! A note from the director: At Mountain Watershed Association, I’ve learned that the work of protecting and restoring the places we…

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Our Comments on New DEP Requirements for Hazardous Waste Facility Permits

February 19, 2024

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) is responsible for providing guidance to applicants and interested parties regarding the permitting procedures of hazardous waste facilities.  On January 20, 2024,…

Read More

Dollar General Wants a New Store in Indian Head

March 18, 2024

Dollar General is seeking to build a new Dollar General store in Indian Head, Fayette County, along the Indian Creek and Indian Creek Valley Trail. Specifically, Dollar General hopes to…

Read More

A Look into the Swallow Falls Bridge Replacement Project

March 18, 2024

The Garrett County Engineering Department is working to construct a new bridge in Swallow Falls State Park, more specifically, in the Youghiogheny Scenic and Wild River Corridor. Swallow Falls Road, which…

Read More

Remembering Black History in Appalachia

February 29, 2024

Picture a coal miner. Who do you see? Probably a man, face coated with coal dust, peering out from under a headlamp. Under the coal dust, you’d likely imagine his…

Read More

2023 Year in Review

February 22, 2024

Having trouble seeing this application? VIEW SIMPLE PDF HERE! A note from the director: At Mountain Watershed Association, I’ve learned that the work of protecting and restoring the places we…

Read More

Our Comments on New DEP Requirements for Hazardous Waste Facility Permits

February 19, 2024

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) is responsible for providing guidance to applicants and interested parties regarding the permitting procedures of hazardous waste facilities.  On January 20, 2024,…

Read More

Upcoming Events

Celebrate Trails Day ICVT Walk

April 27 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
C.W. Resh Memorial Park
Free
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Women & Nonbinary Fishing Clinic

April 28 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Laurel Hill State Park, Lodge at Scenic View
Free
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Birds & Blooms Hike in the Gorge

May 4 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Free
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Stories of the River

In watersheds every action affects the entire system. We work towards a world where our communities and decision-makers learn from watersheds and act as if what affects one of us affects all of us.

Jesse

MWA is fighting the good fight and going up against the big hitters to restore the Yough to what it is meant to be.

- Jesse Wilson, a recreation-loving bike tour manager who is often dependent on the creaks as a source of drinking water when out on his adventures. Due to extensive resource extraction, AMD runoff, E. Coli, etc., the water is frequently not drinkable even after filtration.

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I appreciate MWA because without them, I wouldn’t have known how to do this alone. MWA is helping me and my community fight.

- Peg Mansberry, a resident near Poplar Run working with her community to fight a proposed strip mine that would pollute the river and bring back the toxic, orange waters of her youth.

Picklo

“The Mountain Watershed were the only people we could talk to that actually understood,” says Mary Jo, “They tried everything they could, the advice they gave, just knowing someone was there listening to us.”

- Mike and Mary Jo Picklo, residents impacted by the Acosta deep mine who turned to Mountain Watershed for legal education and direct action support.

MWA is fighting the good fight and going up against the big hitters to restore this place to what it is meant to be.

- Jesse Wilson, a recreation-loving bike tour manager who is often dependent on the creaks as a source of drinking water when out on his adventures. Due to extensive resource extraction, AMD runoff, E. Coli, etc., the water is frequently not drinkable even after filtration.

I appreciate MWA because without them, I wouldn’t have known how to do this alone.

- Peg Mansberry, a resident near Poplar Run working with her community to fight a proposed strip mine that would pollute the river and bring back the toxic, orange waters of her youth.

Direct Support Fund

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APPLY TO MWA'S DIRECT SUPPORT FUND!

The Direct Support Fund provides small grants to grassroots groups and advocates working toward social change on environmental justice, shale gas and petrochemical issues.

Direct Support Fund

DSC_0389-4

APPLY TO MWA'S DIRECT SUPPORT FUND!

The Direct Support Fund provides small grants to grassroots groups and advocates working toward social change on environmental justice, shale gas and petrochemical issues.

Support Our Conservation and Advocacy Work

LAND CONSERVATION

Mountain Watershed Association protects, conserves and restores land and water for the diversity of the region’s plants, animals and their ecosystems.

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RUSTIC RIDGE COAL MINE

Stop the Rustic Ridge Deep Mine Expansion

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GORGE WASHOUT TRAIL PROJECT

Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) is exploring options for fixing the 2021 wash out on the gorge section of the Indian Creek Valley Trail.

Learn more

Support Our Conservation and Advocacy Work

LAND CONSERVATION

Mountain Watershed Association protects, conserves and restores land and water for the diversity of the region’s plants, animals and their ecosystems.

Learn more

RUSTIC RIDGE COAL MINE

Stop the Rustic Ridge Deep Mine Expansion

Learn more

GORGE WASHOUT TRAIL PROJECT

Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) is exploring options for fixing the 2021 wash out on the gorge section of the Indian Creek Valley Trail.

Learn more
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