Launch Pad-dle: The calming effect of Wild Waterways
On a gorgeous June morning, in the equally gorgeous Connoquenessing watershed, located but one hour’s drive from Downtown Pittsburgh, two dozen people gathered to experience the calming effect of Wild Waterways–the Wild Waterways Conservancy, that is. For many of us, this was our first experience with the Connoquenessing watershed, or the Connie as it’s affectionately called, but I’m convinced it won’t be our last. Steeped in beauty, but threatened by development and mining pressures, the Connie and its environs have become endangered in recent years. Once a pristine, untouched watershed surrounded by more of the same, the Connie has become an oasis amidst Pittsburgh’s quickly developing northern suburbs and exurbs.
Enter the Wild Waterways Conservancy. Formed to protect and enhance the natural resources of the Connoquenessing and Slippery Rock Creek watersheds, the Conservancy has already established an impressive record of land preservation and has protected more than 500 acres in Lawrence, Butler and Beaver counties. However, if you ask them, they’re just getting started.
With big plans and a Community Connections Regional grant in hand, the Conservancy will soon be constructing five boat launches to create a more welcoming environment for residents and visitors to enjoy the wild waterways of Western PA. By the end of summer, accessing the Connie will be easier than it has ever been, and the Conservancy is working hard to ensure that the Connie will be accessible for years to come.
Wild Waterways Conservancy’s Explore Western Pennsylvania’s Wild Waterways is a Regional Project supported by a $50,000 grant from Pittsburgh 250 Community Connections and The Sprout Fund.
