Our Favorite Moments of 2023

David Yeany

Avian Ecologist, PA Natural Heritage Program

During July, I had a career highlight working with fellow ornithologist Nick Liadis of Bird Lab to confirm the first breeding record of Swainson’s warbler in Pennsylvania at WPC’s own Bear Run Nature Reserve. Prior to 2022, this southern species was recorded just 15 times across the state during the breeding season – mostly single birds present for 1-2 days. Over the past two years, Nick and I studied potentially breeding Swainson’s warblers across Western Pennsylvania by capturing birds, color-banding them, and collecting feathers for genetic analysis.

At Bear Run in July, we observed a suspected family group, including one of our banded males. At the same location two days later, we obtained the solid evidence we needed to add a new species to the list of Pennsylvania’s breeding birds by temporarily capturing a juvenile Swainson’s warbler! This is a testament to WPC’s forest conservation at Bear Run, and we plan to continue studying this new breeding population.

Rod Cross

Fallingwater Educator

I often invite my tour groups to make their connection to Fallingwater through the materials, the site, or how the house makes them feel as we go through our tour together. How would they use the house if it were theirs?

There is no better way to experience that than attending an evening “soiree.” I know that I have had my most moving personal experience in the house while working an evening program. An evening of conversation with interested visitors, answering questions as they look for their connection. Small ensembles play music in the living room, or by the guest pool.

Savory snacks, wine and Pellegrino are enjoyed as the shadows grow long in the glen and the house lights up over Bear Run. The visitors begin their walk back to the festive Visitor Center as deep darkness closes in on the site.

We may be invited to some of the leftover snacks, and that is when I take a bite and a glass of sparkling water out onto the West Terrace to enjoy the dark, the music of the waterfall and my connection to Fallingwater.

Zachary Zelazny

Land Steward – Americorps Member

As a land steward, I've had the fantastic opportunity to explore several properties that WPC has helped conserve. These are each exciting to hike in their own right, but none was more exhilarating to me in 2023 than Loyalhanna Gorge, along Route 30 in Westmoreland County. This property is owned by the county, protected by a conservation easement held by WPC, and open to the public for hiking, hunting and fishing.

It must have been the most beautiful weather in all of November - bluebird sunny skies and a light breeze, upper 30s, the perfect weather for a hike. I climbed the steep slopes, picking my way through thick brambles, witch hazel and spicebush, and was soon rewarded as the understory gave way to leaf litter, ferns and a towering canopy of hardwoods. The trek became easier as I hiked the ridge in what became a stately, almost park-like setting. I sat on a log and had my lunch as deer casually browsed by and squirrels fought over acorns. Latrobe lay to my north, the bustle of the town barely perceptible from my secluded perch. In that moment I felt incredibly thankful to be exactly where I was, and so proud of WPC for protecting this amazing place.

Amy Jewitt

Pennsylvania iMapInvasives Program Coordinator

In 1952, twentieth-century American psychologist and writer Anne Roe said, “Nothing in science has any value to society if it is not communicated.” To me, this quote encapsulates the undeniable value of garnering public attention for projects aimed at protecting and preserving our natural environment, a goal which the Conservancy holds in high regard. Whenever I get the chance to be a part of efforts related to communicating information on new and novel projects that benefit the environment, it’s a good day for me.

With that in mind, one of my favorite projects from 2023 was the creation of a documentary-style film, Seeing the Unseen: Aquatic Invaders and What's At Stake, with the film company Great Lakes Media (GLM). The topic of the film focuses on aquatic invasive species threats to the Great Lakes and homes in on several important natural areas located in northwest Pennsylvania, including Lake Pleasant, Presque Isle State Park and French Creek. The husband-and-wife film team of GLM was fantastic to work with, and the project opened a new communications opportunity for me that was both exciting and fun. The film is slated to be finished in early 2024 and will be available for viewing online as well as on the WPC website.

Kelly Flynn

Education & Special Projects Coordinator, Community Greening

While celebrating the inauguration of the refreshed Page Street Vegetable Garden in late October, I had the pleasure of witnessing the beauty and spirit of a community.

After months of working with community members, stakeholders, teachers and students toward the renewal and beautification of this garden, all were acknowledged for their contributions to the revitalization of a garden that had fallen into disrepair. The celebration at the Page Street Vegetable Garden was filled with love and community spirit, making it such a joyful event to be a part of.

The collaboration of so many efforts from so many in the Manchester community, young and old and of all levels of physical ability, impressed me beyond belief. This project reminded me that when a community pools its resources and talents together, they can make beautiful things happen!

Alysha Trexler

Watershed Project Manager

My role at WPC has allowed me to see dozens of hellbender salamanders over the years, and I am grateful for every opportunity I have to be near these wonderful and elusive animals. I especially enjoy it when a new person on a survey experiences a hellbender for the first time.

In 2023, we continued a partnership with DCNR to survey for these giant amphibians in Fayette County. Working off of a list of anecdotal locations, the veteran team of searchers was being thwarted in locating an animal. After days of searching and not finding, the team moved into yet another area where the animals have been seen. This finally resulted in a junior searcher exclaiming: “I think I see one!” With a little bit of luck and a lot of seasoned skill, the hellbender was captured and important data was added to the tracking system. I helped with the processing from afar and was able to capture this big smile as the animal was returned to its home. Being part of this moment is a favorite of mine!

Brian Crooks

TreeVitalize Pittsburgh GIS Coordinator

I really enjoyed our fall planting on Justine Street in the Crafton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh. It was a street that historically had been lined with trees, but had become mostly treeless as old trees were removed but never replaced.

Justine Street resident Jim O'Donnell was a first-time applicant to TreeVitalize. He gathered interest from dozens of his neighbors and we planted more than 30 trees one morning in November. Jim even shared historical photos of when the street was still unpaved and the previous trees had been planted. I'm excited that we could be part of continuing the legacy of trees on that street.

Nicole Walsh

Donor Stewardship Manager

Last fall I traveled with coworkers through fog and torrential rain to Bear Run Nature Reserve for a Conservancy event. We were expecting a large group of members, and during the whole trip I wondered if anyone was even going to show up. As we approached the reserve, the fog lifted and the rain slowed to a drizzle.

The atmosphere as we entered the Barn at Fallingwater was so welcoming --- the rafters were strung with party lights and the tables were decorated with little vases of flowers. The air smelled like rainy forest and fresh brewed coffee. Members started arriving in rain gear laughing about the weather, and eventually filled the space with chatter. Everyone seemed happy to be there, and it turned out to be a great day after all.

We’ve had many hikes and events in all sorts of weather, and I am endlessly impressed with our members’ enthusiasm and ability to make the best of being outdoors – no matter what the conditions!

Alicia Wehrle

Community Forestry Project Coordinator

One of my favorite moments of 2023 was our McKeesport tree planting this fall. We've been planting trees in McKeesport for many years, so it felt like an appropriate place to celebrate a major grant awarded to the Pittsburgh Tree Canopy Alliance, of which WPC is a partner.

We had many smiling faces, beautiful weather (despite the bitter temps the day before), and a lot of fun planting trees in Renzie Park. At the end of the planting Tom Maglicco, with the City of McKeesport, brought his newborn son down to say “hi” to a newly planted tree. Tom plans for them to visit that tree together for many years to come. It was such a special moment and a great way to close out the 2023 tree planting season!

Thank you to all of our supporters who have made these moments possible!