Western PA Conservancy Awards 16 BHE GT&S Mini-Grants To Improve Local Watersheds

On June 24, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and BHE GT&S recently awarded 16 grants, totaling $34,000, to 16 different local environmental organizations in eight counties across Pennsylvania as part of the 2026 BHE GT&S Watershed Mini-Grant Program.

Grants were awarded in Allegheny, Armstrong, Cameron, Centre, Indiana, Potter, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Financial support for this mini grant program is provided through the BHE GT&S Foundation. Since 2005, the mini grant program has awarded a total of $600,609 to 144 organizations. 

Since 2005, the grant program has aided the region’s watershed groups with awards that cover program expenses in three areas: water quality monitoring, watershed restoration, and organizational promotion and outreach.

Grants were awarded to the following organizations at a recent ceremony:

-- Allegheny CleanWays, Allegheny County, $3,500

-- Aultman Watershed Association for Restoring the Environment, Indiana County, $2,225

-- Blackleggs Creek Watershed Association, Indiana County, $3,500

-- Centre County Pennsylvania Senior Environmental Corps, Centre County, $1,661

-- Evergreen Conservancy, Indiana County, $1,700

-- Genesee Headwaters Watershed Association, Potter County, $900

-- Kettle Creek Watershed Association, Potter County, $2,500

-- Keystone Water Resource Center, Centre County, $2,350

-- Kiskiminetas Watershed Association, Armstrong County, $875

-- Murrysville Area Watershed Association, Westmoreland County, $3,081

-- Pigeon Creek Watershed Association, Washington County, $400

-- Sewickley Creek Watershed Association, Westmoreland County, $1,000

-- Sinnemahoning Watershed Association, Cameron County, $918

-- Tubmill Trout Club Unlimited, Westmoreland County, $3,390

-- Turtle Creek Watershed Association, Allegheny County, $3,500

-- Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Westmoreland County, $2,500

BHE GT&S Don Houser awards grant to Murrysville Area Watershed Association, Westmoreland CountyDon Houser, director for policy and capital projects for BHE GT&S, says he is pleased to continue the philanthropic efforts that help improve local rivers and streams.

 “It’s an absolute privilege to support these organizations as they complete meaningful conservation work in our communities. BHE GT&S has been inspired by the commitment showcased by the mini-grant recipients and congratulates this year’s organizations for their outstanding work and commitment to water quality,” he adds.

Jenifer Christman, vice president of watershed conservation for WPC, says this funding source is vital to local communities.

 “The Conservancy thanks the BHE GT&S for continuing this commitment to assist small, local watershed organizations in our region with projects to directly benefit and improve water quality in their communities,” she says. “Many of these projects, which are making a difference, just wouldn’t happen if not for this funding.”

At the ceremony, representatives from the grant-awarded organizations gave presentations on how the money will be used over the coming year. 

The Conservancy and BHE GT&S will begin accepting applications for the 2027 Watershed Mini Grant Program in fall 2026. 

For more information about the program, go to WPC’s BHE GT&S Watershed Mini-Grant Program webpage.

The BHE GT&S Foundation provides financial support to qualified charitable organizations within the communities where BHE GT&S operates. 

BHE GT&S is an interstate natural gas transmission and storage company headquartered in Glen Allen, Virginia, with operations in 10 states.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy enhances the region by protecting and restoring exceptional places. 

A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped establish 11 state parks, conserved more than 290,000 acres of natural lands, protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, and assessed thousands of wildlife species and their habitats.

The Conservancy owns and operates Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. 

In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 130 community gardens and other green spaces and thousands of trees that are planted with the help of more than 7,000 volunteers. 

The work of the Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 10,000 members. 

Click Here for the WPC announcement.

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-- TribLive: Murrysville Residents Tackling Acid Mine Drainage Problems From Multiple Angles In Westmoreland County 

-- The Conversation: Should You Swim In Pittsburgh’s Rivers?  A Water Researcher Breaks Down The Answer - By Daniel Bain, Associated Professor Of Geology & Environmental Science, University of Pittsburgh

-- Observer-Reporter: Withdrawal Of Democratic Candidate Opens Way For Environmental Advocate Jodi Borello To Challenge Republican Incumbent Sen. Camera Bartolotta As Independent  [PDF of Article]  [Click Here To Learn More About Her Background]

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[Posted: June 25, 2026]  PA Environment Digest