Let’s wrap up 2024 by highlighting Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year: the Allegheny River! Since 1965, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has supported the river, and its recovery, by protecting land in the watershed to safeguard habitats and biodiversity for native wildlife. And our on-the-ground watershed work restores the Allegheny River and its tributaries to improve water quality for people and various wildlife species. Together this work, supported by many conservation partners, is helping this important river system thrive.
The Allegheny River starts as a stream in Potter County, meandering through a field of wildflowers, before crossing briefly into New York and flowing 325 miles south through six counties in Western Pennsylvania ending in Pittsburgh where it meets the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River. The Allegheny River and its tributaries are not only important drinking water sources for more than one million people, they are ecological gems for wildlife including for rare aquatic species, and a recreational treasure as water trails and fishing resources.
In this webinar, hear from our staff of experts who will share more about the Conservancy’s work in the Upper Allegheny River, including our extensive land protection work and watershed restoration in headwater streams in the Allegheny National Forest. In 2006, the Conservancy undertook the first depth-mapping effort, or bathymetry, of the Allegheny River. Learn about how this project provided valuable data on river bottom habitat for past and current conservation projects. Plus, hear details about our freshwater mussels work and the ongoing restoration efforts along the river in the Pittsburgh region.
Join us on December 4 to discover more about the important legacy and promising future of the Allegheny River, one of the state’s most valuable river systems that is improving the quality of life and adding to the vitality of Western Pennsylvania.
About the Presenters
Eric Chapman, Senior Director of Aquatic Science
Eric Chapman has been the Conservancy’s director of aquatic science for 15 years. His responsibilities include overseeing and planning the many survey, monitoring and research projects in streams and rivers throughout Western Pennsylvania. Eric’s background is in fisheries and wildlife resources, and hold degrees in biology and environmental science.
Kylie Maland, Watershed Manager
Kylie has a B.S. degree in wildlife and fisheries resources from West Virginia University with more than 20 years of experience as an environmental conservation professional in the nonprofit sector. Since 2006, she has served the Conservancy’s Watershed Conservation Program, currently as watershed manager overseeing projects in the Lake Erie and Ohio River basins. Kylie coordinates partners, resources and funding to provide technical assistance to private landowners and public land managers to implement stream restoration and conservation solutions that improve water and habitat quality. Kylie also provides outreach to communities and landowners, and facilitates partnerships with conservation organizations and regulatory agencies to develop comprehensive watershed conservation plans and action strategies.
Jeffrey Bergman, Senior Director of Community Forestry & TreeVitalize Pittsburgh
Jeff has worked at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for more than 15 years and leads the Conservancy’s work regarding tree planting coordination, management and outreach. His work helps support the Conservancy’s mission to support and improve communities across the region through conservation and restoration practices and projects.