News

Scroll down for an update on our conservation work, our ongoing campaigns, our upcoming events, our volunteer opportunities, and press.

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

By Colleen O'Neil / 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.…

Yough Defense Party – Thank You!

By Colleen O'Neil / 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…

Five Tips for a River-Friendly Driveway

By Colleen O'Neil / 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…

Fire Warnings for the Yough Watershed

By Colleen O'Neil / 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…

Update on Lottery Calendars

By Colleen O'Neil / 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…

Help Pollinators & Native Wildlife with Lazy Landscaping!

By Chantelle Hutchens / October 23, 2024

It’s nearing the end of the growing season here in Western Pennsylvania. The nights get chilly, the wildflowers and herbaceous plants, once fragrant and colorful, will start to turn brown…

EPA hears from Community Regarding MAX Environmental Yukon Facility 

By Em Hough / October 22, 2024

On October 9th, 2024, residents of Yukon, PA and surrounding communities gathered for a listening session hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the MAX Environmental (MAX) hazardous waste…

EPA to host Listening Session for Yukon community

By Colleen O'Neil / October 8, 2024

On Wednesday, October 9 at 6:30pm the EPA will host a virtual listening session to hear comments and concerns from the community regarding the MAX Environmental Yukon facility that is now operating under…

ICV Trail one step closer to completion!

By Colleen O'Neil / October 2, 2024

 In August, the Randell E. Nicholson Irrevocable Trust signed a trail easement agreement with Mountain Watershed Association (MWA). The easement allows the non-profit to build a 1.1- mile section of…

Community Rallies around the Fight to Save the Allegheny Mountain

By Chantelle Hutchens / October 1, 2024

Last week on Sept 26, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission hosted a Public Meeting regarding the Proposed Allegheny Mountain Tunnel Realignment Project The meeting was packed with environmental groups, local and…

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Our comment on the Homer City Data Center Pipeline

June 1, 2026
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On May 12, MWA stood in solidarity with Concerned Residents of Western Pennsylvania (CROW) and community members from Indiana County at a…

Trail Tuesday Summer Schedule

May 29, 2026

Every summer we host guided walks on the Indian Creek Valley Trail on Tuesday evenings. The long-awaited Trail Tuesday schedule for this…

Small Grants for Grassroots Groups Available!

May 28, 2026

Since 2014, the Direct Support Fund (DSF) has provided small grants to grassroots groups working toward environmental justice in Appalachia and the…

Fracking Operator Seeks Leases from Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County

May 13, 2026

Through a recent “Right to Know” request, MWA learned that the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) was approached to lease large…

Blue Hole Creek still polluted, but no further action from PA DEP (ACTION ITEM)

April 30, 2026

A whole year after MWA learned about lead pollution in Blue Hole Creek in Forbes State Forest, this once-pristine stream remains contaminated…