The Mon River Basin is getting a much-needed spotlight this fall, thanks to an upcoming Watershed Symposium and Luncheon focused on cooperation, restoration, and post-disaster resilience. Set for October 17–18 at Battlers Knob in Philippi, WV, the event brings together watershed organizations, conservation leaders, and agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and West Virginia Rivers Coalition. The H2O Water Network is proud to be part of the conversation, especially around smart investments in flood recovery and community-based water solutions.
With field sessions kicking off at 1 p.m. on October 17, and a full day of workshops and panels on October 18, the gathering offers a deep dive into how funding, data, and partnership can restore and protect the Mon River watershed. The symposium is also a chance for agencies to coordinate on future-forward recovery strategies, including regional presentations on small business resilience in a post-FEMA landscape—a critical gap identified in many Appalachian communities.
The H2O Water Network has long advocated for transparent, collaborative planning across state lines and watersheds. This event marks an opportunity to elevate local projects that could benefit directly from federal investments tied to upcoming infrastructure and environmental justice funding. With partners like West Virginia Rivers Coalition and the Silver Jackets program at the table, there’s momentum to turn shared concern into coordinated action.
As the Mon River continues to carry both history and hope through the region, gatherings like this one remind us how vital relationships are to watershed health. We’ll be following the conversations closely—and supporting our partners who are working every day to restore, fund, and reimagine what’s possible for the region’s water.
