Spring 2025 Confluence: A Day of Clean Water Collaboration at Westminster College
Confluence co-hosted by H20 Water Network and Westminster College’s Clarence and Mary Harms Center for the Environment.
Mark your calendars and plan your carpools—the Spring 2025 Confluence is almost here!
On June 6, 2025, the Headwaters to the Ohio Water Network will host a vibrant day of idea-sharing, learning, and action at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. This event will gather voices from across the region—professionals, educators, nonprofits, community leaders, and everyday citizens—to explore how we can work together to protect and restore our region’s water.
Whether you’re a scientist, student, policy-maker, or passionate local advocate, this is your opportunity to be part of a dynamic community committed to water stewardship across the Upper Ohio River Basin.
Preliminary Agenda Overview
While the full list of speakers and sessions is still in development, here’s a look at what to expect during the day:
9:30 AM – Registration
Check in, grab your name badge, and say hello to old friends and new collaborators.
10:00 AM – Keynote Address
Start the day with a keynote from a respected leader in environmental policy, outdoor recreation, or watershed science (final speaker TBA). This session will set the tone for the day with fresh insights and inspiration.
11:00 AM – Breakout Sessions I
Dive deep into focused topics in smaller group settings. Past sessions have included subjects like:
- Riparian buffer zones
- Stormwater innovation
- AMD and stream restoration
- Youth leadership in watershed work
- Environmental justice and equity
- Water Ownership and Anti-Privatization – A primer
- Know Your Drinking Water Well
- Uncovering Your Story: Building Confidence and Community Buy-in for Watershed Initiatives
12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch & Connect in the Hall of Knowledge
Enjoy a delicious locally sourced lunch and visit the Hall of Knowledge, where organizations and agencies will showcase projects, tools, and research. This is your time to build relationships and explore new ideas.
1:00 – 2:00 PM – Breakout Sessions II
Choose another session that aligns with your interests or challenges your thinking. Whether you’re into policy, paddling, or permaculture, there will be something for you.
2:00 – 3:00 PM – Breakout Sessions III
Our final round of breakouts will offer continued opportunities for hands-on learning and idea exchange.
3:00 – 4:00 PM – Wrap-Up & Next Steps
We’ll come together one last time to reflect on what we’ve learned, share ideas from the breakouts, and discuss concrete actions we can take as a collective moving forward.
Why Attend the Confluence?
The Spring Confluence isn’t your average conference. It’s a living network, a chance to see the big picture while also getting granular about the needs of your watershed or community.
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Cross-sector collaboration: Scientists, students, farmers, engineers, artists, and elected officials all bring a piece of the puzzle.
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Real-world problem-solving: Sessions are designed for dialogue, not just presentations.
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Regional reach: From Pittsburgh to the Shenango, from the French Creek to the Monongahela—we’re connecting the headwaters to the confluence.
Plus, this is where new partnerships form, grants get brainstormed, and ideas gain traction.
Hall of Knowledge: A Highlight of the Day
Don’t forget to spend time at the Hall of Knowledge, an open networking space where organizations, universities, and agencies will showcase their latest water-related projects, tools, and strategies. It’s part science fair, part idea incubator, part networking hub—and all about impact.
Get Involved
Spots are limited and interest is high, so we encourage you to register early. Whether you’re presenting, tabling, or just attending, your presence adds value to the network and helps shape the region’s clean water future.
