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.

EPA to host Listening Session for Yukon community

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…

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ICV Trail one step closer to completion!

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…

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Community Rallies around the Fight to Save the Allegheny Mountain

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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Join the Fight to Save Allegheny Mountain

September 10, 2024

MWA is joining a citizen-led group to push back on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s plans to demolish the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel and cut a new roadway through the top of…

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Gross! Rock snot in the Yough?

September 6, 2024

Didymo (colloquially called “rock snot”) is an aquatic diatom native to cool-water regions of northern Europe and North America. It can grow into thick, brown mats that cover rocks and…

Read More

EPA to host Listening Session for Yukon community

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…

Read More

ICV Trail one step closer to completion!

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…

Read More

Community Rallies around the Fight to Save the Allegheny Mountain

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…

Read More

Join the Fight to Save Allegheny Mountain

September 10, 2024

MWA is joining a citizen-led group to push back on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s plans to demolish the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel and cut a new roadway through the top of…

Read More

Gross! Rock snot in the Yough?

September 6, 2024

Didymo (colloquially called “rock snot”) is an aquatic diatom native to cool-water regions of northern Europe and North America. It can grow into thick, brown mats that cover rocks and…

Read More

Upcoming Events

Nature Hike with Allegheny Land Trust

November 17 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
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Yough Defense Party

November 21
Falls City Pub
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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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GORGE WASHOUT TRAIL PROJECT

Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) is exploring options for fixing the 2021 wash out on the gorge section of the Indian Creek Valley 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

GORGE WASHOUT TRAIL PROJECT

Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) is exploring options for fixing the 2021 wash out on the gorge section of the Indian Creek Valley Trail.

Learn more
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