Carla Ruddock

Director of Conservation

Hello, I'm Carla!

As a young person I always wanted to be outdoors enjoying nature’s vast beauty. As I continued to learn and experience more, I knew it was where I belonged. I attended California University of Pennsylvania where I earned my Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science with a concentration on Pollution Control. After serving two years with the Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps I joined the staff at Western PA Conservancy for eight years before joining the staff at MWA.

Carla and Ben Stout doing field work in the watershed.

I have been with MWA for over 15 years and currently serve as the Director of Conservation. I am responsible for the oversight and management of our abandoned mine drainage treatment systems, our water sampling program, our in-house bacteria lab and watershed planning among other duties.

Blue Hole in Forbes State Forest. Photo by Carla Ruddock.

As a water person I enjoy swimming and nature photography. One of the special places in the Youghiogheny River watershed that is special to me is Blue Hole on Blue Hole Creek located in the Forbes State Forest. I remember coming to this site as young girl with my family during our vacations to splash around, cool off and just enjoy being in natures glory.