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.

Get ready for fall adventures with MWA!

August 5, 2025

The weather is (finally) cooling down, days are getting shorter, and this season’s bright flowers are slowly going to seed. Back-to-school season is in the air! Fall is a great…

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2025 Summer Newsletter

July 22, 2025

It’s tough to believe we’re halfway through the year 2025! Uncertainty has marked the start of this year, yet our community has held strong to protect the watershed that unites…

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PA DEP issues Notice of Violation for Blue Hole Creek pollution

July 18, 2025

After months of coordinating with the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), we were notified that the Solid Waste Dept at DEP has issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to…

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Service Learning with Movement Outdoors

July 14, 2025

The Mountain Watershed Association hosted a service learning opportunity with our friends from “Movement Outdoors” on our ICV trail system. Movement, as they refer to themselves, is a local non-profit…

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Swim Safe this Summer!

July 9, 2025

It’s here; the middle of summer. The days are long, the sun is hot, and the swimming holes of the Youghingheny River Watershed are calling your name! Before you go…

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Get ready for fall adventures with MWA!

August 5, 2025

The weather is (finally) cooling down, days are getting shorter, and this season’s bright flowers are slowly going to seed. Back-to-school season is in the air! Fall is a great…

Read More

2025 Summer Newsletter

July 22, 2025

It’s tough to believe we’re halfway through the year 2025! Uncertainty has marked the start of this year, yet our community has held strong to protect the watershed that unites…

Read More

PA DEP issues Notice of Violation for Blue Hole Creek pollution

July 18, 2025

After months of coordinating with the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), we were notified that the Solid Waste Dept at DEP has issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to…

Read More

Service Learning with Movement Outdoors

July 14, 2025

The Mountain Watershed Association hosted a service learning opportunity with our friends from “Movement Outdoors” on our ICV trail system. Movement, as they refer to themselves, is a local non-profit…

Read More

Swim Safe this Summer!

July 9, 2025

It’s here; the middle of summer. The days are long, the sun is hot, and the swimming holes of the Youghingheny River Watershed are calling your name! Before you go…

Read More

Upcoming Events

Fall Yough River Cleanup

September 6 @ 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
West Newton Ballfield
Free
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Indian Creek Watershed Festival

September 20 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Indian Creek Community Center
Free
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Mt Pleasant Rain Barrel Workshop!

October 2 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Mount Pleasant Free Public Library
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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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