Advisory Committee
Nicole Pardus
“Conservation requires people who care enough to act, not just admire,” says Nicole Pardus, a member of WPC’s Emerging Leaders Advisory Committee since 2023. Nicole, an estate planning and estate administration attorney based in Pittsburgh, says her earliest nature memories include countless hours of walking in Salmon Creek in Forest County, searching for salamanders. That curiosity never faded.
How did you become involved with WPC and what motivates you to stay connected?
I became involved after years of exploring Pennsylvania trails, rivers, parks and quiet moss-covered places that always felt like home. Joining WPC’s Emerging Leaders program gave me a way to contribute more intentionally instead of admiring from a distance. I stay connected because Western Pennsylvania’s natural spaces deserve future voices, and I want to be one of them.
Tell us about a favorite nature experience or memory.
My earliest and most formative nature memories come from growing up in Forest County, where I had the privilege of exploring vast stretches of untouched woodland. I spent countless hours walking down to Salmon Creek, lifting rocks and searching for salamanders, the spark that eventually led to my lifelong fascination with hellbenders.
That curiosity never faded. Today, some of my favorite moments are slow hikes with my family, identifying wildflowers, fungi and whatever small, extraordinary lives are tucked beneath the leaves. There is a familiar magic in the smell of wet moss and creek water, a reminder of where my love for the natural world began, and why it endures.
What would you tell a friend or colleague about why you are an Emerging Leader with WPC?
Because conservation requires people who care enough to act, not just admire. WPC protects what I love most about this region, and being part of that work feels meaningful, future-minded and hopeful.
What might we be surprised to know about you?
I am a voracious reader and dedicated book collector — especially when it comes to fantasy, speculative fiction and anything rooted in nature or folklore. I’m the type of person who packs a book for every possible scenario, buys more even when my shelves are full and treats bookstores like sacred ground.
Conservation issues that interest or concern you:
- Climate Change
- Habitat Loss
- Pollinator Support
- Endangered or Threatened Species
- Invasive Species
- Forest Connectivity
- Biodiversity
- Watershed Restoration
- Land Development
The following lists some of the ways you can volunteer at the Conservancy. We welcome volunteers to help in our community flower gardens, plant trees or maintain our preserves and trails, among other tasks. View a list of our current or upcoming volunteer opportunities and register for one today.