Mission

To inspire watershed conservation and improve lives through arts and adventure programming.

 

Through programs such as First Waves, the Watersmith Guild empowers communities with skills and opportunities to improve their lives and create lasting impacts on local watersheds. These goals are achieved through educational workshops, outreach, and content creation that promotes healthy and active lifestyles, watershed conservation, education in the art of filmmaking and STEAM fields, and diversity in outdoors recreation.

  • Priorities

    Environmental Justice

    Environmental Literacy

    Waterway Improvements

    Healthy and Active Lives

    Access and Awareness

  • Methods

    Environmental Education

    STEAM Workshops

    Outdoor Adventure

    Digital Media & Content Creation

  • Initiatives

    First Waves

    Tree Planting

    Native Mussel Reintroduction

    Training, Courses, & Events

    Aqua Lab Adventures

History

The Watersmith Guild’s origins are with the foundation of First Waves, a first-of-its-kind program that  introduced standup paddleboarding, river surfing, and the art of filmmaking as a catalyst to inspire conservation of local waterways and mentorship for at-risk youth. The inaugural project in 2014 included transformative elements of outdoor adventure, environmental sciences, and conservation actions that fostered love and appreciation for the outdoors and improved the lives of students in areas with limited opportunities and access. Youth participants learned to become proficient paddlers, spearheaded river cleanups, and created documentary films to inspire others. After years of successful programming in Pittsburgh and Johnstown, First Waves planned a regional expansion to serve more youth and waterways throughout Pennsylvania.

To facilitate the growth of First Waves and expand the group’s conservation and education goals, The Watersmith Guild was formed on Earth Day in 2021. By 2023, the Guild expanded First Waves to 5 regions across Pennsylvania. Since its inception, the Watersmith Guild and First Waves have successfully served more than 1000 youth and completed a myriad of documentary films and conservation achievements.

In 2023, the Watersmith Guild received the prestigious Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for the accomplishments of First Waves.