Become a Sponsor of the Yough Defense Party

The Youghiogheny River watershed - from its rushing mountain waters in Maryland and West Virginia to its slow-flowing meanders in Pennsylvania - covers 134 beloved river miles. The river corridor has always been a cherished place, carrying its name from the Lenape Nation who have served as its stewards for centuries. Today, it is considered the crown jewel of recreation and tourism in the Laurel Highlands and has been noted as the most reliable watershed in the US. These accolades clash with the historic and current impacts from industry along the entire path of the river.

This year, Mountain Watershed Association and the Youghiogheny Riverkeeper seek to take fast action against threats in nearly every major tributary of our beloved Yough. We need your support more than ever to rally the community and Defend the Yough!

Our 16th annual Yough Defense Party will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at Falls City Pub in Ohiopyle, PA.

Live music, free finger foods, door prizes, a kayak raffle, a silent auction, and merch deals will be happening all night!

It’s MWA’s 30th year as an organization, so goal is to raise $30,000 at the Yough Defense Party this year! We need your help!

We are seeking sponsors and donations to help us meet our fundraising goal:

• Hemlock Sponsor - $1,000: A physical sign with your name/logo will be the prominently displayed. You will also receive the benefits of the Hellbender, Trout, and Mayfly sponsorship levels.
• Hellbender Sponsor - $500: You will receive two "Merch Tickets" at the event for limited edition 2023 Yough Defense Party t-shirts! You will also receive the benefits of the Trout and Mayfly sponsorship levels.
• Trout Sponsor - $250:You will receive a MWA logo ballcap! You will also receive the benefits of the Mayfly sponsorship level.
• Mayfly Sponsor - $100: Your sponsorship will be broadcast on our social media, website, email blasts, and throughout the event, denoting your level of sponsorship and dedication to defending the Yough.

How will your sponsorship be utilized? The Yough Defense Fund has contributed to many environmental successes:

• Increased participation in our volunteer river clean-up and tire-sweep campaign. To date, over 3000 bags of garbage and over 2,500 tires have been removed from the river.
• Expanded our nurdle (plastic pellet) monitoring program. Currently, America’s largest Ethane Cracker Plant is began operation in 2022 on the banks of the Ohio. This facility will drive the region’s fracking industry due to the facility’s high demand for ethane, the main ingredient for producing single use plastics.
• Secured more stringent protections within the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit at MAX Environmental’s Landfill in Yukon, PA. This facility is attempting to expand and has proposed the construction of a new Hazardous and Residual Waste Landfill a few hundred feet from Sewickley Creek.
• Helped community members stop a proposed gas-fired power plant along the Youghiogheny River in Elizabeth Township.
• Regular monitoring of coal mining operations has prevented new permits and placed extensive deficiencies on operations, resulting in additional regulatory pressure on the sites. Advocates continue to conduct critical outreach on mine expansions and new permits that threaten the watershed.

Please invest in this vital work by pledging a tax-deductible sponsorship or auction donation today. Most importantly, you can take pride in knowing your donation will be used to protect and advocate for the Youghiogheny River and its tributaries. We truly appreciate your support and cannot follow through with our work without the steady presence of the community.

Thank you so much for your support.

Ashley Funk ~ Executive Director
Eric Harder ~ Youghiogheny RIVERKEEPER®