History

POWR was incorporated on October 21, 1993 to be a statewide voice for rivers in Pennsylvania. It operated for about one year with a volunteer board of directors and no staff. The first Executive Director was hired on a part-time basis in 1994. Within five years, there was a full time Executive Director and seven staff members. The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds & Rivers (POWR) is a tax-exempt, 501 (c) (3), nonprofit corporation with a mission to protect Pennsylvania’s watersheds both through direct work and support of other organizations with similar missions. The organization’s geographic focus is statewide. In 2008, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and POWR joined together, designating POWR as a 509(a) supporting organization of PEC. This agreement offers much to both organizations including expanding the grassroots impact on conservation, as well as increasing organizational efficiencies. Further, it has stimulated an effort to reinvigorate POWR and more specifically identify a path forward to greater impact on the environment. Jon Meade was brought on board as Executive Director of POWR in May of 2009 and has been leading these efforts to invigorate POWR’s programs and services.