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.

Here, Then Gone: Essential Ephemerals in the Yough Watershed

April 7, 2025

Spring is an exciting time to be in nature. Every time I go outside, it feels like something new is popping up. Even the sides of the road, still half-covered…

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“They don’t have a plan.” Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill’s Leachate Problem

March 31, 2025

On March 20, 2025, residents of the Mon Valley, regional environmental groups, attorneys, and scientists gathered in the Rostraver Fire Hall to provide public comment on Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill’s most…

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Public Meetings on the Sale of ICVWA to Pennsylvania American Water

March 18, 2025

Meetings are happening to talk about selling the Indian Creek Valley Water Authority (ICVWA) to Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC). This sale could affect our community for a long time.…

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Signs of Spring in the Yough Watershed

March 8, 2025

Happy March! The clocks have changed, and the long, dark days of winter are officially over. Even though there might be some springtime snow storms in our future, we’re ready…

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DEP renews controversial Rustic Ridge mine permits

March 3, 2025

Despite strong opposition from residents and elected officials, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has renewed permits for the Rustic Ridge #1 Coal Mine, setting the stage for a…

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Here, Then Gone: Essential Ephemerals in the Yough Watershed

April 7, 2025

Spring is an exciting time to be in nature. Every time I go outside, it feels like something new is popping up. Even the sides of the road, still half-covered…

Read More

“They don’t have a plan.” Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill’s Leachate Problem

March 31, 2025

On March 20, 2025, residents of the Mon Valley, regional environmental groups, attorneys, and scientists gathered in the Rostraver Fire Hall to provide public comment on Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill’s most…

Read More

Public Meetings on the Sale of ICVWA to Pennsylvania American Water

March 18, 2025

Meetings are happening to talk about selling the Indian Creek Valley Water Authority (ICVWA) to Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC). This sale could affect our community for a long time.…

Read More

Signs of Spring in the Yough Watershed

March 8, 2025

Happy March! The clocks have changed, and the long, dark days of winter are officially over. Even though there might be some springtime snow storms in our future, we’re ready…

Read More

DEP renews controversial Rustic Ridge mine permits

March 3, 2025

Despite strong opposition from residents and elected officials, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has renewed permits for the Rustic Ridge #1 Coal Mine, setting the stage for a…

Read More

Upcoming Events

Indian Creek Valley Gorge 5k

April 19 @ 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Indian Creek Valley Trail – Gorge Section
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Earth Day Yoga: For All Our Birds & Creatures

April 26 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
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Women’s+ Fly Fishing Clinic

April 27 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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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

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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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