Message from the President
Community garden at South 18th Street, Southside
An organization’s mission and strategic plan represent a promise — a promise that we will set ambitious and achievable goals, develop work plans to guide our efforts and deliver substantial results.
In 2009, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy began implementing the first year of a three-year strategic plan — and delivering on the promise that we have made to members and partners to conserve the most exceptional natural areas, protect and restore our watersheds, and protect our most threatened species and habitats.
It was a year of substantial results — despite a challenging economic climate that affected the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy along with virtually all nonprofits. We conserved more than 3,300 acres of land and protected or restored 182 miles of our region’s rivers and streams. We identified the most significant properties needing protection for rare, threatened and endangered species. Along with a record 10,300 volunteers, we planted 140 community gardens, added new landscaping to 26 public schools, and planted 3,266 urban trees. In addition, we once again broke visitation records at Fallingwater, welcoming more than 161,000 people to Fallingwater and Bear Run Nature Reserve.
Each outcome in 2009 supported goals that we established in our strategic plan and brought us closer to delivering on the promises we have made to Conservancy supporters. We are pleased to report on this progress to you, our many members, volunteers and partners, who make our work possible.
Thomas Saunders
President and CEO
