This week’s member spotlight features one of Appalachian Voices’ best. Katie Mowry is an environmental scientist who found her way to West Virginia through work. We hope you enjoy getting to know her a little better.
Originally from Cranberry Township, Penn., Katie grew up often escaping the bustling suburbs for the peaceful woods of the Allegheny National Forest area where her family is originally from. Katie grew up splashing around in creeks, flipping rocks looking for critters, and she now enjoys getting to spread the same kind of childlike joy through her work.
Katie attended Allegheny College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, double majoring in Environmental Science & Sustainability and Biology. Through both her academic and professional career, Katie has established herself as an environmental scientist with a focus in freshwater ecology, particularly water quality monitoring.
Now living in Charleston, W.Va., Katie is very proud to call West Virginia home!
1) How did you get into organizing/advocacy work & what work are you most proud of?
When I first came to West Virginia it was for a job doing water monitoring statewide with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). I must admit that at the time, I was entirely unaware of the complicated history the department had with truly protecting the environment. In fact, my first week there I got in trouble for wearing an Anti-Mountain Valley Pipeline t-shirt… so I learned pretty quickly I wasn’t in the right place to really fix any of the water issues going on in WV.
That being said, the position allowed me to explore more of the state than I would have ever on my own, learn how to best assess water quality issues, and ignited in me a desire to be a part of the solution to this state’s water issues. When the Coal Impacts Fields Coordinator position opened up at Appalachian Voices, it was a no brainer. Now I work primarily in the Southern Coalfields doing water monitoring for folks impacted by coal, and also uplifting the voices of impacted communities’ to their elected officials for more water infrastructure funding.
2) What part of West Virginia’s ecosystem/environment is most special to you?
Obviously I gotta say the waterways! From small, headwater streams in the Monongahela National Forest to being on a boat in the middle of the Kanawha River while evading coal barge traffic – I have a love and appreciation for all of them. The waterways of this state have been my direct lifeline to the people who live here- their struggles, their joys, and their hope for the future.
3) When you aren’t working on things for Appalachian Voices, what do you do for fun?
When I haven’t gotten enough outside time at work, you can catch me going for early morning runs with friends, hiking in Kanawha State Forest, or going bouldering at the local climbing gym here in Charleston.
If I’m in need of some indoor recharge time, ask me what my next batch of homebrewed kombucha is gonna be, what video game I’m currently obsessed with, or new fantasy novel I’m reading! Currently it’s mango peach ginger, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Babel by R. F. Kuang 🙂
