Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s 47 nature preserves are special places, not only for their impressive natural beauty but for the unique natural features and communities they host, such as mature forests, bogs and vernal pools.

Most of the more than 297,000 acres the Conservancy has protected to date across Western Pennsylvania has gone to state-owned lands, adding to forests, parks and game lands. Of that protected land, we own and manage approximately 15,300 acres and share those lands as nature preserves with the public. Have you ever wondered how we determine which lands to retain and why? Or, why some areas are called nature reserves while others are conservation areas?

Find answers to these questions and more from the Conservancy’s land stewardship staff during a free webinar, “Managing and Stewarding WPC Preserves,” on Sept. 9, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET, which will highlight the unique ecosystems and special habitats of some of our preserves.

In this webinar, we will explain how we decide when to retain lands as new preserves, highlight the unique features of some of our preserves, and describe our management and restoration strategies.

You’ll also learn about upcoming land stewardship workdays and how you can give back to local nature by pulling exotic invasive vegetation, removing debris, planting trees or maintaining hiking trails. Together, these actions, plus your support, benefit and improve nature for wildlife and humans alike!

Can’t attend in person? Register and after the webinar you’ll get a link to watch the recorded webinar.