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.

Bad Data: What to Know About Homer City’s New Plant

December 14, 2025

On November 18, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection approved the air quality plan for the proposed 3200-acre Homer City Energy Campus, which, if constructed, would become the largest fracked…

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Winter in the Watershed: Squirrel houses and color-changing critters

December 8, 2025

In the winter, most people end up staying inside a bit longer than usual, curling up on the couch with a good book or movie, and layering up when they…

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Fayette County organizations team up to build mutual aid network

November 25, 2025

Mountain Watershed Association has received grant funding to support Fayette County’s rural mountain communities. The funding will be used to support local food banks, establish a drinking water aid program,…

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Mountain Pines zoning appeal denied (again)

November 4, 2025

At long last, we have an update on the pending Mountain Mines Appeal regarding Diamond Properties, LLC vs. Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board and Mountain Watershed Association.  If you need…

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Forgotten History – the Town of Indian Creek

November 3, 2025

When I want to be deep in nature and far away from other people, I like to go for a long run in the Indian Creek gorge. Today I’m feeling…

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Bad Data: What to Know About Homer City’s New Plant

December 14, 2025

On November 18, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection approved the air quality plan for the proposed 3200-acre Homer City Energy Campus, which, if constructed, would become the largest fracked…

Read More

Winter in the Watershed: Squirrel houses and color-changing critters

December 8, 2025

In the winter, most people end up staying inside a bit longer than usual, curling up on the couch with a good book or movie, and layering up when they…

Read More

Fayette County organizations team up to build mutual aid network

November 25, 2025

Mountain Watershed Association has received grant funding to support Fayette County’s rural mountain communities. The funding will be used to support local food banks, establish a drinking water aid program,…

Read More

Mountain Pines zoning appeal denied (again)

November 4, 2025

At long last, we have an update on the pending Mountain Mines Appeal regarding Diamond Properties, LLC vs. Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board and Mountain Watershed Association.  If you need…

Read More

Forgotten History – the Town of Indian Creek

November 3, 2025

When I want to be deep in nature and far away from other people, I like to go for a long run in the Indian Creek gorge. Today I’m feeling…

Read More

Upcoming Events

Connellsville Rain Barrel Workshop!

April 11, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
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Indian Creek Valley Trail 5k Fun Run

April 18, 2026 @ 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Indian Creek Valley Trail – Gorge Section
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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

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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.

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

Learn more

HELP US CLOSE TRAIL GAPS!

Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) is working to complete another 2.5 miles of the ICV 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

HELP US CLOSE THE TRAIL GAPS!

Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) is working to complete another 2.5 miles of the Indian Creek Valley Trail!

Learn more
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