The Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Network invites watershed volunteers and stream champions from throughout the Upper Ohio River Basin to the second basin-wide convening of water advocates.

The free celebration and networking picnic, the Confluence at Mingo Creek, A Celebration of Watersheds will take place on September 28, 2024, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Pavilion No. 5 in Mingo Creek Park in Washington County. 

Picnic BBQ and food provided by local caterers.

Through hands-on activities and participation attendees will learn popular tools for watershed stewardship and celebrate the dedication and hard work of volunteers. 

The gathering is an opportunity to directly engage in activities of monitoring and learning; to connect with individuals and organizations dedicated to water stewardship; and to share strategies for assessing and stewarding streams through the Upper Ohio River Basin.

The program starts promptly at 11:00 a.m. and the picnic includes activities that support the work of watershed volunteers and stream stewards.

There will be a panel highlighting how watersheds are helping watersheds through coalitions and mentoring. 

Speakers include John Wenzel of the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, Tali MacArthur of the PA Organization of Watersheds and Rivers, and Lisa  Di Bartolomeo, West Virginia Rivers, and leaders from the Washington County Watershed Alliance. 

This panel will also solicit good governance and resource sharing ideas and recommendations to streamline the work of volunteer stream stewards.

Most of the day will be for attendees to directly engage in activities of monitoring, learning, and sharing that can be taken back to local watersheds throughout the Upper Ohio River Basin.

A selection of activities include:

-- The Shenango Climate and Rural Environmental Study Team (SCREST) will have their “Climate Cards” and demonstrate them as a tool to spark conversation about climate change across the Basin;

-- Artists from the Creatives for the Climate will bring the Climate Playground kit of activities, including an extreme weather kit and crumbled paper watershed exercises, for kids and their adults to directly engage with what impacts watersheds and streams.

-- Macroinvertebrate hike to the adjacent stream (Waterproof shoes are recommended) and microscopes to observe prepared specimens.

-- The Izaak Walton League, Harry Enstrom Chapter, will have saline and nutrient test kits and leaders to demonstrate how to use them.

-- A “Hall of Knowledge” of programs, funding, and stream assessment tools such as Keep PA Beautiful Waterway Stewards and West Virginia’s Stream Partners programs;

-- The Water Network will share and demonstrate its visual Watershed Directory

Information on the Ohio River Restoration Plan and the Basin Alliance’s upcoming Summit in Pittsburgh at the end of October and other organizing events scheduled for early 2025.

The Confluence at Mingo Creek Planning Group includes the Washington County Conservation District, West Virginia Watershed Network, Pennsylvania Organization of Watersheds and Rivers, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Watershed Manager, Southwestern District, Penn State Extension Watershed Stewards Program, and the Allegheny County Conservation District.

Join the Confluence on September 28 to celebrate watersheds and water stewardship and work towards a brighter future for the Upper Ohio River Basin. 

Click Here to register.

Visit the Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Network website for more information on programs, initiatives, other upcoming events and how you can get involved.

Resources Link:

-- Southwestern PA Water Network To Host Confluence At Mingo Creek - A Celebration Of Watersheds Sept. 28 In Washington County  [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week - Watersheds:

-- Stroud Center Honors Bestselling Author Of Four Fish, Paul Greenberg., With Freshwater Excellence Award  [PaEN] 

-- Coalition For The Delaware River Watershed Celebrates $17.3 Million In National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Grants To Improve The Health Of The Delaware River Watershed  [PaEN]

-- Southwestern PA Water Network Hosts Sept. 28 Confluence At Mingo Creek - A Celebration Of Watersheds In PA's Ohio River Watershed  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Invites 2nd Round Of Nutrient Pollution Reduction Proposals As Part Of Conowingo Dam 'Pay-for-Success' Program; Webinar Set For Oct. 9  [PaEN]

-- Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay Hosts 3-Part Online Faithfull Green Leaders Training Program Starting Oct. 14  [PaEN]

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners Host Oct. 21 MS4 Stormwater Forum In Manheim  [PaEN]

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Special Report: Local Experts All Agree, Hellbenders Need Better Protection - Sign The Petition To Protect The Hellbender  [PaEN]

-- National Museum Of Industrial History Hosts Immersive VR Experiences On Industrial History For Lehigh Watershed Explorers Starting Sept. 21  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Communications Earth & Environment Journal: Treating Abandoned Mine Drainage Can Protect Streams Cost Effectively And Benefit Vulnerable Communities [Pennsylvania Program] - By University of Pittsburgh, Kenyon College

-- Kleinfelder: Morris Run Active Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment Facility To Benefit Water Quality In Tioga River

-- Save The Date!  Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance, Bucknell University To Host Abandoned Mine Pools As Beneficial Resource Conference June 4 - 5, 2025

-- Schuylkill Action Network Newsletter Highlights Work Group Updates; Upcoming Events; Partner Resources; Healthy Lands Week; Grant Opportunities

-- Positive Energy Hub: CNX Resources & EIP Offer Environmental Credits Through Blacksville Stream And Wetland Mitigation Bank

-- WHYY: Schoolyards In Philly Will Get Rain Gardens To Prevent Stormwater Runoff, Provide Relief From Heat Thanks To Federal Grant To The Nature Conservancy

[Posted: September 18, 2024]

9/23/2024