Protecting, Preserving, and Restoring the Youghiogheny River Watershed

I'm interested in...

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.

2024 Summer Newsletter

July 25, 2024

It’s hard to believe we’re over halfway through 2024! So much has already happened, and we have more plans to come! Attached to this post is our annual Summer Newsletter,…

Read More

DEP Public Hearing – Rustic Ridge I NPDES Permit Renewal

July 24, 2024

On August 28 at 6:00 pm at Saint Raymond of the Mountains Church in Donegal, members of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) California District Mining Office will hear…

Read More

MWA Collaborates on New Purple Lizard Map!

July 24, 2024

MWA and Purple Lizard Maps has collaborated on a new map of the Deep Creek Lake and Western Maryland area! This map will offer insight on the headwaters area of…

Read More

Apply for Direct Support Funding!

July 24, 2024

The Direct Support Fund is a grants program hosted by MWA that focuses on providing resources to grassroots groups and advocates working toward social change on shale gas, coal, petrochemical…

Read More

Rasler Run Stewardship Project Expands!

July 24, 2024

Last year, MWA conserved nearly 200 acres of land along Rasler Run, a tributary to Indian Creek. This spring, we added 55.7 adjacent acres to this property, a purchase made…

Read More

2024 Summer Newsletter

July 25, 2024

It’s hard to believe we’re over halfway through 2024! So much has already happened, and we have more plans to come! Attached to this post is our annual Summer Newsletter,…

Read More

DEP Public Hearing – Rustic Ridge I NPDES Permit Renewal

July 24, 2024

On August 28 at 6:00 pm at Saint Raymond of the Mountains Church in Donegal, members of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) California District Mining Office will hear…

Read More

MWA Collaborates on New Purple Lizard Map!

July 24, 2024

MWA and Purple Lizard Maps has collaborated on a new map of the Deep Creek Lake and Western Maryland area! This map will offer insight on the headwaters area of…

Read More

Apply for Direct Support Funding!

July 24, 2024

The Direct Support Fund is a grants program hosted by MWA that focuses on providing resources to grassroots groups and advocates working toward social change on shale gas, coal, petrochemical…

Read More

Rasler Run Stewardship Project Expands!

July 24, 2024

Last year, MWA conserved nearly 200 acres of land along Rasler Run, a tributary to Indian Creek. This spring, we added 55.7 adjacent acres to this property, a purchase made…

Read More

Upcoming Events

Yough River Float Trip

July 28 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Hazelbaker’s Canoe Rentals
Read More

Trail Tuesdays on the ICV Trail

July 30 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Read More

HeART of the Laurel Highlands: Intro to Forest Bathing

August 24 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Read More

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.

Card Item 2

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

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.

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.

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

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
MWA Logo Final-17

Sign up for our newsletter

Want to start protecting, preserving, and restoring the Yough? Need updates on our recreational activities and events?

Sign up for our mailing list!

MWA Logo Final-17