Nearly 100 water professionals, environmental advocates, agency representatives and community members gathered at Westminster College on June 6 for the Headwaters to Ohio (H2O) Water Network Spring Confluence—an event focused on collaboration and shared priorities regarding water quality in the headwaters of the Ohio River.

Held at Westminster’s Harms Center for the Environment, the event opened with a welcome from Dr. Patrick Krantz, associate professor of environmental science, who said the center was the ideal host for the event because of its “strong commitment to environmental stewardship, hands-on learning and community engagement.”

Dr. Larry Schweiger, former CEO of the National Wildlife Federation and a leading voice in conservation, delivered the keynote address, reflecting on climate, community and watershed resilience.

The day featured breakout sessions, a “Boatload of Knowledge” resource fair, a networking lunch and a closing session focused on identifying collective priorities. Presenters included Dr. Helen Boylan, professor of environmental science at Westminster, who shared insights from two decades of collaboration on abandoned mine drainage with the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition. Westminster alumnus Kyle Filicky ’14 of Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc., presented on “Environmental Story Mapping,” featuring examples from the College’s Field Station story map.

“The goals of the Confluence were to connect, share and learn,” said John Detisch, president of the Headwaters to Ohio Network. “We had great speakers, timely breakout sessions, a wide variety of topics in the Boatload of Knowledge, a great location, and an audience focused on ensuring clean water for all.”

The Confluence was organized by The Headwaters to the Ohio Water Network in collaboration with the Harms Center for the Environment. H2O is a coalition working to improve water quality and access in the Upper Ohio River Basin through sustainable practices, community collaboration and education. The network brings together stakeholders to address challenges like climate change, stormwater runoff and public awareness to protect this vital resource.

For questions about this event, please contact Krantz at krantzpd@westminster.edu or 724-946-6097.

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