About Us

Our Work, Mission and Core Values

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has been dedicated to protecting and restoring the region’s exceptional natural places since 1932. As a member-based nonprofit organization, we work in cities and towns across Western Pennsylvania and rely on the help of thousands of members, partners and volunteers. We are making a difference in our region’s water, land and life. We do this work for the benefit of wildlife and people who call Western Pennsylvania home, and for future generations.    

But we can’t do this important work without you. Thank you.

We preserve Western Pennsylvania’s most exceptional natural land.

We have permanently protected more than 265,000 acres of land–forests, streams, meadows, farmlands and more–in Western Pennsylvania. You might have visited a place we’ve protected! Ohiopyle, McConnells Mill, Raccoon Creek, and Erie Bluffs are just a few of the 11 state parks we helped create. We also own and manage more than 14,000 acres of land in 16 counties across the region, including nature reserves, forests and natural areas, for you to hike, fish, walk, nature watch, hunt and explore. Our preserves are open to everyone, free of charge. Of the total land protected by land trust organizations in Pennsylvania, nearly 50% has been conserved by WPC.

We restore rivers and streams.

We’ve restored more than 3,000 miles of Western Pennsylvania’s local rivers and streams. Through a number of strategic projects and initiatives, such as streambank restorations, in-stream habitat work and riparian tree plantings, we’re protecting and restoring local waterways. This means clean water – for wildlife to thrive, for people to drink and to provide places for you to fish and paddle.

We study wildlife and their habitats.

Our scientists study the region’s rare, threatened and endangered plants and animals to guide our land and water conservation efforts. WPC’s conservation science program takes important data on Pennsylvania’s biodiversity and helps apply it to land protection, watershed restoration, land stewardship planning and policy development.

We plant trees and gardens and create other green places in cities and towns.

With the help of thousands of volunteers, we create community gardens and green places that bring nature into cities and towns across 20 counties in Western Pennsylvania. We plant trees in neighborhoods and parks, and on city streets, that capture stormwater, provide shade and make communities more vibrant. We provide hanging baskets and planters and other green features to beautify downtown Pittsburgh. We add green infrastructure features that address stormwater overflow issues. And we create green spaces where school children learn, explore and play.

We own and care for Fallingwater.

We care for Fallingwater, the internationally renowned house designed in 1935 by famed American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Fallingwater was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019 and inspires visitors from around the world as a symbol of people living in harmony with nature. Since 1963, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has owned, operated and preserved Fallingwater as a house museum to tour and experience. Our Fallingwater Institute programs offer a variety of immersive educational programming and learning experiences for schoolchildren, college students and adult learners. Fallingwater is open to the public for tours. Buy tickets today for a variety of tour experiences.

WPC Members - Joyce and Larry DeYoung

We have a network of dedicated members and volunteers.

Each year, our members help safeguard, restore and beautify the region. We also partner with more than 3,000 volunteers and dozens of community organizations, partners and businesses to plant and maintain gardens and trees, pull invasive plants, improve our reserves, restore waterways and work at Fallingwater to assist visitors. Day by day, inch by inch, yard by yard and acre by acre, our members and volunteers, along with our funding partners, are essential in helping to make Western Pennsylvania a more beautiful, natural, healthy and green place to live, work and visit.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy's

MISSION

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy protects and restores exceptional places to provide our region with clean waters and healthy forests, wildlife and natural areas for the benefit of present and future generations. The Conservancy creates green spaces and gardens, contributing to the vitality of our cities and towns, and preserves Fallingwater, a symbol of people living in harmony with nature.

 

CORE VALUES

Visionary Leadership
Mission-focused Work
Science-based Decisions
Partnerships as Key to Accomplishing Our Work
Innovation and Agility
Integrity, Accountability and Openness
Employees and Volunteers Valued for Their Knowledge, Commitment and Diversity
Results-driven Work for Long-term Regional Impact and Value
Sustainable Practices
Collaboration Across Areas of Expertise