Founded in 1990, the Greenbrier River Watershed Association (GRWA) is one of the oldest watershed organizations in West Virginia. GRWA’s mission is to shine a light on the important and unique resources of the Greenbrier River watershed. They work hard to educate the public through outreach with local schools and civic organizations.
With the help of grants and public support, GRWA also helps communities with issues like water quality, water quantity, preventing the use of caves and sinkholes for trash disposal, straight piping and wastewater issues, and other environmental matters. Their work has had a positive impact on the region, and they’re always looking for volunteers to help accomplish their mission. Those interested in volunteering can email greenbrierwatershed@gmail.com to inquire.
The following is a Q & A between WVEC communications coordinator Anna Saab and GRWA president Jenna Breeckner.
Anna: What project(s) do you feel are most urgent or important to the Greenbrier River Watershed Association right now?
Jenna: We’re very fortunate to have one of the cleanest rivers in the state, so our most important project is maintaining that status. We’ve been conducting monthly water quality monitoring for fecal coliform and E. Coli at 25 sites throughout the watershed. In 2023, eighteen sites were chosen to monitor the health of the watershed. In 2025, 7 additional sites were added to the testing protocol to narrow down potential sources of high fecal coliform counts. In addition to the ongoing water quality monitoring project, GRWA has been collecting surface water and well water samples for PFAS analysis.
Anna: What does the future look like for the Buckhannon River Watershed Association?
Jenna: In the future, we hope to expand our outreach and membership so we can continue our mission of protecting our remarkable river. We are always looking for volunteers to assist the organization in a variety of ways, such as trash clean-ups, creating social media content, organizing and attending events, educational outreach, and more. The watershed will remain under constant threat from fracking, development, industrial/agricultural pollution, pipelines, and natural disasters, so we will always be seeking people to help us continue our work.
Anna: What makes this work personal to you?
Jenna: Working with GRWA is personal to me because I grew up loving nature and wanting to protect it from man-made pollution and destruction. One of my favorite movies growing up was Ferngully, and to quote Magi Lune, “We all have power – and it grows when it is shared.” I think, as community members, it is important to take care of where we live. Nobody wants to see trash along the river, and everyone wants clean water to drink and play in. Working with friends and community members to protect the Greenbrier River for future generations is what fulfills me. In a world where our politicians are selling us out to data centers, pipelines, mining, and other industrial interests, it’s important to keep a tight-knit community that monitors the health of the citizens and the environment. GRWA is an outstanding organization that fought hard against MVP and damming the river, and I’m proud to work alongside individuals who will always stand up to adversity.
