The UAWA has been participating in a PennDOT adopt-a-highway cleanup program for 6 years on a section of U.S. Route 6 near Roulette. Every time we do it we come away with a good feeling. Once a person starts doing volunteer work of this kind it becomes habit-forming! No paycheck can deliver the kind of satisfaction that we receive from putting a little sweat and effort into helping reverse the detrimental effects of human activities on our streams and by-ways.

As a group we have partnered with local landowners and other watershed groups on a number of erosion control / fish habitat enhancement stream projects. These projects require hard labor. The individuals who contribute this labor are among the most dedicated and determined volunteers I have ever seen. The only reward these individuals receive is the thanks of the landowners and the personal satisfaction of having made a tangible improvement to a stream.

Our UAWA display has been exhibited at County Fairs and other venues to place our message before the public. In 2008 we participated in the Kinzua Outdoor and Travel Show in Bradford. Trying to reach everyone with our Growing Greener message can be lots of fun.

Supporting local organizations is one of the fun things we have been able to do at the UAWA. With a minimal amount of resources we partnered with the Roulette Fish and Game Club to sponsor a Kid’s Fishing Derby at which catch-and-release fishing was emphasized.

Along the way, we have received terrific support from the Potter and McKean County Conservation Districts. Thanks to assistance from PCCD we publish an annual newsletter which is mailed to our members and friends along with a custom-made watershed calendar at the end of each year.

Also deserving of many thanks are Dominion Resources and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, The Pennsylvania Fish Commission, Trout Unlimited and the Department of Environmental Protection. These fine organizations’ valuable help at every turn have been a huge benefit UAWA and our mission.

None of this fine stuff would be happening if it weren’t for a Growing Greener Grant awarded to the UAWA in 2003. The grant provided the basic funding needed to get our organization off the drawing board and into the streams. Because of Growing Greener, the UAWA has been able to begin the job improving the water quality and environment in our area. This financial help has enabled us to grow from a few concerned individuals to over 50 members and raise the awareness of the public.

The Growing Greener Watershed Grant, coupled with the principle of working through partnerships, has given the UAWA the power and the opportunity to make a difference in the Upper Allegheny Watershed by supporting public education, clean-ups and stream enhancement projects. This is a true case of a little bit going a long way. Working through partnerships, we have been able to multiply the result of our efforts.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is to be heartily congratulated for having the foresight and commitment to support the Growing Greener initiative. This is a true a case of a government program directly benefiting the people and the environment. Thanks for everything!

Click here for more photos from UAWA.

For more information contact Frank Weeks, President, UAWA, Upper Allegheny Watershed Association, PO Box 146, Coudersport, PA 16915 or send email to:uawa@mckeancountypa.org