On the first weekend of October, MWA hosted the Heart of the Highlands Piano Recital at Sparks in the Valley’s event space to raise money for our Rustic Ridge Legal Defense Fund. This fund supports our legal challenge of the Rustic Ridge Mine Expansion to protect the health of our watershed and all who depend on it.
For some background on the issue, MWA filed a legal appeal in June 2025 challenging PA DEP’s approval of the Rustic Ridge mine expansion. We are working with a private law firm that regularly – and successfully – litigates against the mining and fracking industries. While we are confident in their ability to bring forward the best possible case for us, legal challenges are inevitably costly.
We have set a goal of raising $500,000 to support our legal challenge of the Rustic Ridge Deep Mine expansion to protect the health of our watershed and all who depend on it.
Over 30 folks attended this classy evening and enjoyed a festive selection of wines, cheeses, snacks, and desserts, accompanied by nature-themed piano selections performed by our local Bravo Piano Club. Community organizer Stacey Magda kept the event grounded, providing an update on MWA’s legal work to protect our watershed from from the dangers of deep coal mining.
With the help of our attendees, musicians, volunteers, and donors, we raised about $4,500 for the legal fund! We look forward to hosting this event again next fall!
If you couldn’t attend the event, you can still donate to the fund by clicking here!