The newly renovated room 101 in Carr Hall at Allegheny College has been designated the Allegheny College Watershed Conservation Research Center (WCRC). Officially opened on May 9, the center aims to foster undergraduate research, collaboration with local conservation organizations, and educational outreach regarding the French Creek watershed. Co-directed by Assistant Professors Casey Bradshaw-Wilson and Kelly Pearce, the WCRC will serve as a workstation for data collection, analysis, and grant writing, funded by a $1.25 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
The Mellon Foundation has previously supported the college with over $6 million in grants and seeks to establish research institutes focused on meaningful ecological projects like the WCRC. The center will collaborate with entities such as the French Creek Valley Conservancy on various conservation projects.
The WCRC encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing faculty and students from numerous disciplines to engage in related projects, including digital explorations and GIS mapping initiatives. With a focus on experiential learning, the WCRC embodies Allegheny College’s commitment to sustainability and ecological restoration efforts in the region.
