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.

Did you know? One of PA’s top 12 polluters is in Westmoreland County.

December 4, 2024

Tenaska Generating Station is a 940 megawatt combined cycle natural gas fueled power plant operated by Tenaska Pennsylvania Partners. The power plant produces electricity from both natural gas and steam.…

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Yough Defense Party – Thank You!

December 4, 2024

This year’s Yough Defense Party was a truly memorable! We had a little bit of snowfall, several warm bonfires, and a whole lot of fun! Hopefully you did too. Throughout…

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Five Tips for a River-Friendly Driveway

December 3, 2024

The first snap of winter in the Youghiogheny River watershed brings out plow trucks, ice scrapers, snowblowers, piles of winter clothing, and road salt. Road salting helps keep drivers safe…

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Fire Warnings for the Yough Watershed

November 7, 2024

To reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires due to dry weather conditions, low water levels in communities, and fire activity, Pennsylvania DCNR, Maryland DNR, and the state of West Virginia…

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Update on Lottery Calendars

October 25, 2024

An update on calendars! Mountain Watershed Association will no longer be selling lottery calendars moving forward. We deeply appreciate those who have supported us by purchasing these calendars over the…

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Did you know? One of PA’s top 12 polluters is in Westmoreland County.

December 4, 2024

Tenaska Generating Station is a 940 megawatt combined cycle natural gas fueled power plant operated by Tenaska Pennsylvania Partners. The power plant produces electricity from both natural gas and steam.…

Read More

Yough Defense Party – Thank You!

December 4, 2024

This year’s Yough Defense Party was a truly memorable! We had a little bit of snowfall, several warm bonfires, and a whole lot of fun! Hopefully you did too. Throughout…

Read More

Five Tips for a River-Friendly Driveway

December 3, 2024

The first snap of winter in the Youghiogheny River watershed brings out plow trucks, ice scrapers, snowblowers, piles of winter clothing, and road salt. Road salting helps keep drivers safe…

Read More

Fire Warnings for the Yough Watershed

November 7, 2024

To reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires due to dry weather conditions, low water levels in communities, and fire activity, Pennsylvania DCNR, Maryland DNR, and the state of West Virginia…

Read More

Update on Lottery Calendars

October 25, 2024

An update on calendars! Mountain Watershed Association will no longer be selling lottery calendars moving forward. We deeply appreciate those who have supported us by purchasing these calendars over the…

Read More

Upcoming Events

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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

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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