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About Us The Allegheny Defense Project (ADP) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the wild forests and rivers of the Allegheny Plateau and the Allegheny National Forest (ANF), Pennsylvania’s only national forest.
We have been engaged in monitoring and research (Forest Watch), education, participation in the public decision making process, litigation, and promoting responsible outdoor recreation since 1994 when University of Pittsburgh students from the Bradford Campus formed the group. ADP is the only grassroots organization with a restoration focused vision for the Allegheny. We support a citizen-led, public land ethic that attains biological diversity, and protects water quality, wildlife habitat, natural heritage, wilderness and recreation opportunities. ADP Staff Ryan Talbott, Executive Director; Contact: 503-887-7845, rtalbott@alleghenydefense.org
Cathy Pedler, Forest Watch Coordinator; Contact 814-454-7523, cpedler@alleghenydefense.org
Matt Peters, Events and Outreach Coordinator; mpeters@alleghenydefense.org
Board of Directors Bill Belitskus, Board President; Contact: 814-778-5173, bbelitskus@alleghenydefense.
Megan Rulli, Board Member; Contact: mrulli@alleghenydefense.org
Jim Kleissler, Board Member
Randy Francisco, Board Member
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Ryan was born and raised in the Allegheny National Forest. Born in Warren, he grew up in Marienville, Pennsylvania on the southern boundary of the Allegheny. Ryan got involved with ADP in 2000 when oil and gas development destroyed his favorite camping spot in the Salmon Creek area in Forest County. He has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Biology from Clarion University, a Master of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School and is currently attending Lewis and Clark Law School. 
Cathy Pedler was born in Abington, Pennsylvania and grew up in Poughquag, NY; West Chester, Pennsylvania; and Greenbrier County, West Virginia. She received a BA in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh, a MS in Applied Intelligence at Mercyhurst College, 
Matt Peters lives in Pittsburgh and is the new Events and Outreach Coordinator for the Allegheny Defense Project. He recently returned to the city and is establishing an urban farmstead there, working with community garden groups and urban forest/greenway advocates on a range of sustainability issues. Matt helped start the ADP as a student at the University of Pittsburgh, then moved to Athens county, Ohio in 1996 to work with the Buckeye Forest Council as their Campaigns Coordinator. He sits on the boards of both Heartwood and the Allegheny Chapter of the Sierra Club, and helps coordinate ADP events from the Pittsburgh area.
Bill Belitskus was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Southwest Pennsylvania. He holds a degree in Psychology from Duquesne University and a Masters in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army in Military Intelligence. He ran twice as an independent candidate for United States Representative in the 5th Congressional District. He homesteads with his wife Mary and lives in the passive solar house they constructed on their 25-acre woodlot in Kane, McKean County adjacent to the Allegheny National Forest. He has been hiking, camping and recreating on the Allegheny for over 35 years and has been an active ADP member since 1996.
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