Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) purchased materials for a newly developed Equipment Resource Library with funding from the Jack and Diane Hughes Family Fund, held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County (CFFC). “With the generous support of this grant, MWA is able to provide supplies and equipment for outdoor education and recreation within the Youghiogheny River watershed,” said Hannah Spencer, Program Development Manager.
MWA purchased items to create eight themed “activity backpacks” that contain a story book, guided activities, writing supplies, and other educational supplies based on four themes: winter ecology, trees, bugs, and nature fun. Each theme has a backpack with activities focused on ages 3 to 6, as well as a backpack with activities for ages 6 and up.
They also purchased detailed trail maps of the Laurel Highlands, field guides, binoculars for both adults and youth, and educational curriculum books for various environmental education topics. These materials and the activity backpacks are available to loan out, free of charge, as part of MWA’s Equipment Resource Library. They welcome local residents, visitors to the Laurel Highlands, and educators in the area to utilize these resources as part of their efforts for ecology education and outreach.
“We hosted one community workshop and participated in two well-attended community events with the resource library materials purchased through this grant,” explained Spencer, while sharing plans to continue promoting the Equipment Resource Library as a valuable asset to environmental education.
MWA’s mission is to protect, preserve, and restore the Youghiogheny River watershed and its broader communities through conservation, recreation, education, and advocacy. CFFC is happy to support their mission through philanthropy.
