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.

Exploring Rasler Run

May 8, 2024

In 2023, MWA acquired nearly 200 acres of land to conserve in the Indian Creek gorge. The property, located in Springfield Township of Fayette County, borders both Indian Creek and…

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Public Water Win in Westmoreland County

May 8, 2024

The recent drought watch in Westmoreland County caused residents, water authority officials, and businesses to take a closer look at their water consumption when Beaver Run Reservoir dropped lower than…

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Fayette County Denies Indian Head Dollar General

May 7, 2024

The Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board has recently denied the building of a new Dollar General store in Indian Head. The Board denied a Special Exception for a retail business…

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EPA Issues Consent Order to MAX Environmental

May 7, 2024

On Friday, April 19, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency filed a Consent Order on MAX Environmental Technologies, Inc., allowing its Yukon facility to continue operations in a limited capacity.  This…

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Trail Tuesdays return for Summer!

April 25, 2024

At 6:30 pm every Tuesday in the summer, MWA will lead a series of walks along the Indian Creek Valley Trail! These will be relaxed group walks from 1-3 miles,…

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Exploring Rasler Run

May 8, 2024

In 2023, MWA acquired nearly 200 acres of land to conserve in the Indian Creek gorge. The property, located in Springfield Township of Fayette County, borders both Indian Creek and…

Read More

Public Water Win in Westmoreland County

May 8, 2024

The recent drought watch in Westmoreland County caused residents, water authority officials, and businesses to take a closer look at their water consumption when Beaver Run Reservoir dropped lower than…

Read More

Fayette County Denies Indian Head Dollar General

May 7, 2024

The Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board has recently denied the building of a new Dollar General store in Indian Head. The Board denied a Special Exception for a retail business…

Read More

EPA Issues Consent Order to MAX Environmental

May 7, 2024

On Friday, April 19, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency filed a Consent Order on MAX Environmental Technologies, Inc., allowing its Yukon facility to continue operations in a limited capacity.  This…

Read More

Trail Tuesdays return for Summer!

April 25, 2024

At 6:30 pm every Tuesday in the summer, MWA will lead a series of walks along the Indian Creek Valley Trail! These will be relaxed group walks from 1-3 miles,…

Read More

Upcoming Events

Learn to be a Stream Explorer!

June 5 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cedar Creek Activity Center
$5
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Indian Creek Valley Trail Golf Scramble

June 7
Donegal Highlands Golf Course
$125
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Family Field Day at Laurel Hill State Park

June 15 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Laurel Hill State Park
Free
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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

DSC_0389-4

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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