Brief History of the Brodhead Watershed Association
The Brodhead Watershed Association (BWA) was founded in 1989 by a group of residents who shared a simple but powerful belief: the forests, streams, and springs of the Brodhead watershed are worth protecting. At a time when development pressures in Monroe County were rapidly increasing, these community members came together to advocate for clean water, sound land use, and science-based stewardship of the region’s exceptional natural resources.
In the early years, BWA focused on public education and research, building partnerships with conservation groups, municipal officials, and state agencies. One of BWA’s first major efforts was establishing Streamwatch, a volunteer water-quality monitoring network that has grown into one of the longest-running citizen-science programs in northeast Pennsylvania. This early commitment to data and community engagement laid the foundation for BWA’s ongoing work.
Over the decades, BWA expanded its focus to include riparian restoration, invasive plant management, stormwater education, and municipal assistance for implementing best practices that protect headwaters and recharge areas. The organization also launched the Get Outdoors Poconos program, opening new opportunities for people to explore local trails and build deeper connections to the watershed.
Today, BWA continues to be a respected voice for clean water in the Poconos, monitoring streams, educating the public, restoring habitats, and advocating for the protection of the Brodhead’s high-quality and exceptional value waters. What began as a small citizen effort has grown into a regional leader in watershed protection, driven by volunteers, science, and a shared commitment to safeguarding these waters for future generations.