Message from the President
In 2008, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy created a new Mission Statement. This mission statement reaffirms and builds on the Conservancy’s approach to our core work and outcomes since our founding in 1932:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy protects and restores exceptional places to provide our region with clean waters and healthy forests, wildlife and natural areas for the benefit of present and future generations. The Conservancy creates green spaces and gardens, contributing to the vitality of our cities and towns, and preserves Fallingwater, a symbol of people living in harmony with nature.
This annual report not only provides highlights of the Conservancy’s performance during 2008, it provides an opportunity to reflect on how our diverse programs all serve to support this important mission. From adding landscaping and beautification to Pittsburgh’s city school properties and trees to our neighborhoods, to protection and restoration projects in our region’s watersheds, to acquisition and protection of our most significant lands, to our programs at Fallingwater that introduce visitors to the confluence of design and conservation, all of WPC’s efforts reinforce one another by helping to protect and restore the region’s high quality of life. And these programs connect us – residents of and visitors to this region – to the natural world and to the exceptional places of Western Pennsylvania.
Of course, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s accomplishments in 2008 occurred as a significant economic downturn took place. Thanks to the loyal support of our partners and members, we achieved significant conservation outcomes, saw another record year at Fallingwater and expanded our work to keep our communities vibrant, green and healthy.
Thank you for helping the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy take the long view when it comes to the health of our region. Even as our economy undergoes significant upheaval, we remain focused on our mission – to protect and enhance the natural resources and quality of life that define this region today, and that are so critical to its future.
Thomas Saunders
President