Home to an abundance of scenic rivers, mountain streams, wetlands, farmland and forestland, Western Pennsylvania is a beautiful and biodiverse landscape. Equally as picturesque and distinct are the native plants and animals, and their habitats, that call are region home and make it ecologically important and unique. In the 2025... Read More
Learn what to do when you have unwelcome bats in your attic.
Ever wonder what inspires a person to wade through muddy bogs in search of a rare plant or endangered insect? Are you fascinated by the magic of Fallingwater and wish you could go “behind the scenes” with a preservationist? Do you wonder what motivates a member to include WPC in... Read More
WPC Removes Barriers to Help Species Move Freely Have you ever fished or hiked along a stream and come upon a culvert pipe? Unless you’ve seen one from a fish’s eye level, you might not realize what an obstacle a pipe can present to a fish trying to swim... Read More
Restoration work to occur August 18-22, weather permitting PITTSBURGH, PA – August 14, 2025 –Fish such as brook trout, brown trout, bass and muskie in Salmon Creek will have improved habitat, thanks to a project being implemented in mid-August by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in partnership with the U.S. Army... Read More
Pittsburgh, Pa. – August 1, 2025 – The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced today the recent purchase of conservation easements on two properties in Southampton Township, Bedford County to permanently protect 725 acres of forestland and habitat for rare species, and provide public access for recreational fishing. The properties are located... Read More
Restoration work to occur July 28-Aug. 15, weather permitting PITTSBURGH, PA. – July 22, 2025 – Fish such as stocked trout, wild trout and native redhorse suckers in Kinzua Creek will have improved habitat, and anglers should see improved fishing opportunities by summer’s end, thanks to a habitat improvement project... Read More
Mountain laurel, (Kalmia latifolia) Pennsylvania’s state flower, and rhododendron (Rhododendron linnaeus) look very similar and are often mistaken for each other. Although both belong to the heath family (Ericaceae), they are different plants that bloom during different months. Here are some ways to tell them apart, and some WPC preserves... Read More
Steve Grund, senior botanist, recently retired after 29 years with the Natural Heritage Program at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Steve joined WPC in 1996 and began serving on the PA Biological Survey Vascular Plant Technical Committee, where he assisted with making important decisions for plant conservation in Pennsylvania. He helped... Read More
One of the property acquisitions creates WPC’s first nature preserve in Cambria County PITTSBURGH, PA. – May 20, 2025 – The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy today announced the recent purchase and permanent protection of two properties totaling 507 acres of forested riparian land in Cambria County, most of which are located... Read More