An Introduction to the Yough Defense Series

Swimming, fishing, and outdoor splendor!  The Youghiogheny River and the Laurel Highlands have so much to offer. Mountain Watershed Association and the Youghiogheny Riverkeeper have been actively defending the river and the region for over 20 years. Through our work, we’ve been addressing threats to the watershed, such as: new and abandoned mine discharges, fracking, sedimentation, wastewater, agricultural runoff, stream degradation, and the list continues!  And so does our dedication to solving these issues.

To help you get involved with protecting our watershed, we are launching The Yough Defense Series. We are looking for volunteers to help with river & road cleanups, citizen water quality monitoring, trail building, and tree planting & treatment projects.  Educational meetings will be held by the Youghiogheny Riverkeeper to increase awareness about impactful issues within the watershed. For example, several meetings will be held this summer to highlight our Swimmable Waters Program, which monitors and reports bacteria (fecal coliform and E. coli) levels at popular swimming locations around the Yough.  We’ll be hosting and sponsoring kayak races, fishing demos, and nature viewing opportunities like our Birds & Blooms Guided Walk.  

The Yough Defense Series will highlight the amazing opportunities around the Youghiogheny River.  As well as identify areas or problems within the watershed that need protecting, patrolling, and public input.  The 2018 Yough Defense Series will wrap up on November 15th 2018 at the 10th Annual Yough Defense Party!  

Visit our Yough Defense Series page or our Facebook Event page to find out more and to get involved!!