How WPC Works

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is very concerned about the quality of our living resources and the overall condition and we’re seeing in Pennsylvania for example about one out of every two species of aquatic life in Pennsylvania is at some level of risk whether it’s threatened, endangered or eligible for listing. That’s a pretty scary thought if you think about the fact that if you are a fish or shell fish you have a 50-50 chance of being in trouble. It’s very important to protect those waters that still maintain high biodiversity, that maintain good conditions for fish, shellfish and for other living organisms that inhabit those waters.

The Conservancy first and foremost believes that the communities are, that our communities are very important, they reflect the quality of their neighborhoods, they reflect the quality of their watersheds, our goal is not to conflict with the community or to in any way to impede their efforts, but to actually assist people to make a difference in their local watersheds;to make a difference in their own communities, towns, cities and help people to protect the natural resources. It’s about stewardship; we are aiming to help people to be better stewards of their environment.

Watershed Assistance Center

      Many grassroots conservation organizations are made up of hardworking volunteers who may not have the time or expertise to tackle all of the issues that arise in protecting or enhancing their watershed. The Watershed Assistance Center is designed to fill in those gaps and make life easier for those volunteers. It is not uncommon for an organization that has a very small annual operating budget to eventually take on a project carrying a six-figure price tag. In many cases, groups may be working with a private consultant for the first time and they are not sure what to expect. Several groups are just starting out and may be unsure of the processes necessary to achieve non-profit status, or how to attract members. Whatever the case, by working with the Watershed Assistance Center, fears and uncertainties can be turned into confidence and enjoyment.

Larry Schweiger talks about WPC's Watershed Assistance Program

Volunteer Land Steward Program

      Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has stewardship responsibility for one hundred and forty-two tracts of land across western Pennsylvania that range in size from a one-acre fen to an eleven thousand acre conservation easement. We accomplish our stewardship goals through the assistance of trained volunteer Land Stewards. Land Stewards monitor changes in land condition and identify threats to human health and safety and or natural resources. As Western Pennsylvania Conservancy representatives, Land Stewards provide a consistent presence for the organization on the land. They help to develop and maintain relationships with neighbors and landowners and they communicate land use policies and guidelines to natural area visitors. Land Stewards are in many ways the eyes, ears and voice of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, but they are also the muscle. Land Stewards have contributed several hours to on the ground management such as dump cleanups and invasive exotic species control. There are currently seventy-six Land Stewards actively monitoring and reporting on assigned land.

Hear WPC's Charles Bier speak on the Land Steward Program

Mark Bowers, Hannah Holm, and Loree Speedy are three Land Stewards assigned to land in the Sideling Hill Creek watershed. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has worked to conserve over 300 acres of land to date. Mark and Loree, a couple from West Newton, have been Land Stewards at Sideling Hill Creek since the summer of 2000. Mark a geologist for several years and Loree a student of geology both bring similar botanical interests and experiences to the Land Steward program. Mark and Loree have enjoyed weekend visits to Sideling Hill Creek exploring the landscape, writing their lists of identified plants and animals and building relationships with neighbors. In 2001 Mark and Loree led Sideling Hill Creek wildflower walks at which they extended a personal invitation to neighbors, some of which attended and enjoyed the event.

Hannah joined the team a year after Mark and Loree and visits Sideling Hill Creek with her husband David. Hannah came to the Land Steward program with an interest in learning about the many tools of conservation including conservation easement. Hannah monitors a Sideling Hill Creek conservation easement owned by a local farmer. She visits the easement at least once a year and keeps in touch with the landowner through phone calls and planned visits to his land.