Here’s how we got started.
In the late summer of 2019, a grassroots group of scientists, teachers, fishermen, environmentalists, and writers began meeting regularly to discuss shared concerns about Chautauqua Lake – both the lake’s health and the quality of its water. Shortly after our meetings began, our small group (still unnamed at the time) was asked to contribute to The Allegheny Voice, a blog focused on environmental issues affecting the Allegheny River Watershed in western Pennsylvania and western New York.
Developing content for that platform helped us to better appreciate our position as part of a larger watershed. And we began to explore ways to connect with others in both western New York and western Pennsylvania who shared our passion for protecting the water quality of our lakes, rivers, creeks, and streams. This led to our group beginning a relationship with the Conewango Creek Watershed Association (CCWA).
At the same time, members of our group became aware of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. It is the largest nonprofit solely focused on clean water, with more than 300 branches on six continents. Their mission is to protect everyone’s right to drinkable, swimmable, and fishable water (https://waterkeeper.org/) In November, 2019, we submitted a proposal to become a Waterkeeper affiliate with a focus on the larger Chautauqua-Conewango watershed, a stance that would extend our reach and build a larger constituency for clean water. On April 1, 2020 we were officially named the “Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium, a Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate.”
The relationship with the CCWA (https://www.conewangocreek.org/) was made formal when it became the 501(c)(3) sponsoring organization for the Consortium. For the next 6 years, the Consortium officially operated as a committee of the CCWA with some management services being handled for us. With changes occurring at the CCWA and within the Consortium, the process for becoming our own not-for-profit organization was undertaken. In March, 2026 we became separately incorporated in the State of New York and received 501(c)(3) status from the IRS.
We will always be grateful to the Conewango Creek Watershed Association for the assistance and guidance they provided to launch us to the future. We continue our shared passion for protecting the water.
Read about our Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) logo
We are a Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate
The Consortium is a licensed affiliate of the global organization, Waterkeeper Alliance. It began from grassroots advocacy, just like us. As a Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate, we utilize the benefits, abide by the Quality Standards and appreciate the global connections of the Waterkeeper Alliance. Our Affiliate status affords all of this to us without the employment of any full-time, paid staff.
Whenever you see the Consortium’s logo, the Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate logo is also found. We are proud to have these two logos side-by-side. The Waterkeeper Alliance’s logo is a sturgeon and represents sustainability, as fossils of sturgeon date back to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The puzzle-like shape of the logo represents and unites the more than 300 Waterkeeper groups across the globe. We are proud to be included among this dedicated group united for clean, healthy, and abundant water for all people and the planet with a mission to protect our right to clean water in communities around the world.