Property Management
Our intent is to own land that hosts examples of the highest ecological values and other important features, and provides opportunities for low-impact recreation, education and research. We have preserves located in each priority conservation region: Central Ridges and Valleys, Lake Erie, Laurel Highlands, Ohio and Lower Allegheny, Upper Allegheny (including the Clarion River and French Creek) and West Branch Susquehanna.
Management of each preserve is guided by a plan that details the conservation values recognized at the site and the associated goals/actions necessary to maintain or enhance those values. Our land stewardship staff and a team of dedicated volunteer land stewards conduct regular monitoring of the land and implement management activities. From April through November, monthly workdays are held to complete projects such as trail maintenance, tree planting, exotic invasive species control and dump removal.
Easement Monitoring and Enforcement
Stewardship of our conservation easement properties includes baseline documentation of the conservation values, annual monitoring by our staff and maintaining communication with the landowners. As an easement property changes owners, we make certain they understand the terms and intent of the easement. In the event an easement violation occurs, we take into consideration the impact to the conservation values and any mitigating circumstances, and work with the landowner to resolve the matter as amicably as possible, while ensuring there is no net loss in conservation value.
Management Activities
To effectively care for our properties, our land stewardship team undertakes a variety of activities, including:
- Bat roost installation
- Eastern massasauga habitat improvement
- Eastern hemlock conservation
- Invasive plant control
- Parking and trail enhancements
- Lake shore restoration
- Riparian forest restoration
- Tree planting
What's New?
- Invasive Plant Control at Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area
At Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area, exotic invasive plants have been treated across more than 37 acres. - New Parking Area and Trail at Tryon-Weber Woods
At Tryon-Weber Woods (Crawford Co.), a parking area and 1.1-mile loop trail have been constructed. - Access Improvements at Clarion River Preserves
At Dutch Hill Forest and two other WPC preserves in the Clarion River region, parking areas and other access improvements have been completed. - Structure Removal
Unoccupied and derelict structures have been removed from Bear Run Nature Reserve, Sideling Hill Creek Conservation Area and Lake Pleasant Conservation Area.
