Pennsylvania Great Outdoors: Improvements to Gallagher Run

This is the first in a series of blog stories featuring some local restoration projects.

By John Straitiff

I had the chance to visit with Kylie Maland Watershed Manager for the West Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) at her office in Ridgway to talk about many stream restoration projects she has been involved with in Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region over the last several years.

Kylie has a degree in wildlife and fisheries resources from West Virginia University and more than 20 years of experience as an environmental conservation professional in the nonprofit sector.

Since 2006, she has served the WPC’s Watershed Conservation Program, currently as watershed manager overseeing projects in the Lake Erie and Ohio River basins. Kylie coordinates partners, resources, and funding to provide technical assistance to private landowners and public land managers to implement stream restoration and conservation solutions that improve water and habitat quality.

Kylie also provides outreach to communities and landowners and facilitates partnerships with conservation organizations and regulatory agencies to develop comprehensive watershed conservation plans and action strategies.

Gallagher Run in Ridgway has seen stream improvements made. It started with stream restoration work in 2021.

With the help from Elk County Conservation District, Jim Zwald Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and students from St. Leo’s Elementary School in Ridgway, during 2022, sixty native species of ornamental and berry producing shrubs and trees were planted along the stream.

Funding for the project was provided by Pennsylvania Growing Greener Program and the Pennsylvania Cold Water Heritage Partnership.

Next week’s blog will highlight Church Run.

Find more fun things to do, see, and experience in Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region online at VisitPAGO.com.