How We Work
2022-2026 Strategic Plan
Our 2022-2026 Strategic Plan is an overview of how the Conservancy’s work will progress over the next three years through 21 strategic initiatives. Our strategic planning process provides a deliberate approach to thinking about the future and prioritizing our efforts to make the region better and stronger through our conservation, preservation and restoration efforts.
Nature and people thrive when individuals and communities are welcomed and empowered to participate in conservation.
Strategic Vision:
Conserving Ecosystems
We will work toward protecting our region’s exceptional ecological resources, including protection of key landscapes, corridors and habitats in the face of fragmentation, climate change, development and other impacts.
- High biodiversity landscapes and waterways, and the corridors that connect them, are documented, protected, stewarded and monitored.
- Ecosystems impacted by a long history of degradation and fragmentation are restored and functioning more naturally.
- The ecosystems of the region’s rivers and streams are more resilient because they have fewer barriers to fish passage, more riparian buffers and improved aquatic habitat.
- Ecosystems on WPC preserves are more resilient through more robust ecological inventory, analysis, protection, stewardship and monitoring.
- Fallingwater – its architecture, collections and landscape – is stewarded and conserved vigorously to maintain resilience and ensure long-term operational and environmental sustainability.
Strategic Vision:
People and Communities
Through the commitment of our staff, volunteers, members and partners, we will collaborate with people and communities to accomplish shared conservation goals and enhance the resilience of the region’s communities.
- We acknowledge disparities and barriers to access and participation in nature, the outdoors and in community conservation. We work to enable, include and welcome all people.
- We acknowledge the human history of the places we work and protect, honoring and lifting up stories and contributions of under-represented and marginalized people and communities.
- Fallingwater provides welcoming, inclusive experiences to visitors, learners, artists, scholars, volunteers and members of all backgrounds and abilities and from our local community and across the globe.
- We work to increase the capacity of under-resourced and marginalized people and communities in cities, towns and rural areas across our region to implement community-led conservation and greening efforts, promoting healthy environments and improvement to quality of life and economic well-being.
- WPC preserves are equipped to welcome and engage more visitors, especially students, and to respond to increased demand for experiences in nature and the outdoors.
- We welcome young people and educators to participate in our work through partnerships that provide hands-on educational opportunities, nurturing appreciation for nature and inspiring young conservationists.
- We welcome young people and educators to participate in our work through partnerships that provide hands-on educational opportunities, nurturing appreciation for nature and inspiring young conservationists.
- Farmers, conservation partners and WPC maintain, and protect productive farms, both rural and urban, that are resilient, demonstrate environmental stewardship, and are community-sustaining.
Strategic Vision:
Organizational Excellence
We are committed to organizational excellence at WPC, investing in our staff, resources we need to do our work, and the power of collaboration across WPC. This also includes recognizing the vital role our members and volunteers play in our work.
- All employees feel welcome, appreciated, and included in the mission and strategic vision of WPC. WPC enthusiastically welcomes new employees from diverse backgrounds, values their perspectives and contributions, and provides support and opportunities for learning and professional growth.
- Robust internal communication and collaboration improves program delivery and gives employee access to a more holistic understanding of WPC’s work and strategic vision.
- WPC members are welcomed, engaged and celebrated for their support, involvement and dedication, which are integral to WPC’s success.
- People from all communities are welcomed and encouraged to volunteer with WPC to participate in high-quality experiences that are vital to advancing our mission.
- Engagement and access for people of all abilities, ages, locations and backgrounds expands through virtual programming.
- WPC implements best practices regarding operational sustainability and energy efficiency, including active efforts to minimize our carbon footprint.