Mountain Watershed Association

08/26/2026

When you think about MWA, you probably think about our work on water and land. But we also frequently work on air quality issues in the Youghiogheny River watershed!

Clean air is a major public health concern. Similar to water, air is all around us, and we need clean air to live and thrive.

For this month's Yough Talks video, Em talked with Environmental Health Project to talk about all things air -- from regulatory standards to common air pollutants in the atmosphere, and how to protect yourself when the air quality is bad.

Head over to our YouTube channel to watch the video and learn more! (youtube.com/)

08/25/2026

We're getting ready for the annual Indian Creek Watershed Festival on September 26 at the Indian Creek Valley Community Center - and this time we're expecting some special guests from the Pittsburgh Zoo!

Don't miss "Wonders of Wildlife" at 11 am - Discover fur, feathers, and scales in this introduction to some of the world’s most fascinating animals. Using live animals from the Zoo, we will explore the physical characteristics of each animal while learning how they are uniquely adapted to their environments.

Then we'll have everyone's favorite slingshot game, Chuck-a-Duck. Make sure you stick around for the Indian Creek Duck Race! All kids get a free entry into the race, and the chance to win a nature-themed backpack if their duck floats down the creek the fastest.

More info and registration is available (but not required) at mtwatershed.com/events

08/24/2026

Cleanse your feed with some late summer creek vibes (Fall Creek, Somerset County) 💦

08/24/2026

08/21/2026

Courtesy of the SC COAD Somerset County PA Community Organizations Active in Disaster

08/20/2026

Swimmable Waters results have been posted! The rain is definitely affecting water quality again this week. We had a last minute volunteer cancellation, so the Ohiopyle samples weren't taken. If the water looks brown and muddy, bacteria levels will probably be high.

Check out this week's numbers at mtwatershed.com/swimmable-waters

Remember, water quality is always changing, so use your best judgement on the water.

08/19/2026

On March 13th, 2026, PA DEP published a long-awaited report on the radiation levels present in Commonwealth landfills, many of which accept oil and gas extraction waste. Our coalition of environmental and public health advocacy organizations has asserted that this report is incomplete, based upon flawed data, and failed to be rigorously reviewed prior to release. This study does not stand up to scientific rigor, and therefore, the DEP and Governor Shapiro must do more to protect Pennsylvanians. Please fill out this form to urge the DEP to properly acknowledge the risk of radioactivity in landfill leachate.

I took action today to tell PA DEP to protect Pennsylvania from radioactive landfill leachate. Sign and share today!

08/19/2026

Native wildflowers doing the work! 🐝 Creating native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By planting flowers native to your area, you can build a habitat that becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds, bees, and people.

This honeybee was enjoying the yellow ironweed growing behind our office at MWA!

08/18/2026

We're trying again for a river cleanup! (Hopefully we have normal water levels this time.) All volunteers must pre-register at mtwatershed.com/volunteer!

This will be an active day! MWA will provide trash bags and heavy gloves to protect your hands. Please wear clothing you can get wet and don’t mind getting dirty. Bring snacks, sunscreen, water, and a waterproof bag for your things, if you have one.

If water conditions are unsafe, we will cancel.