Message from the President
As the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy looks back in this annual report on what we accomplished in 2012, one thing that stands out is that we could not have achieved our conservation and preservation outcomes without our organization’s volunteers, supporters, donors and partners. This publication will chronicle the Conservancy’s 2012 accomplishments, which were based on goals that are in keeping with our strategic plan and our mission statement.
In 2012, we conserved 14 properties totaling about 3,100 acres across the region, including wetlands near Lake Pleasant, frontage along French Creek, a favorite fishing property on lower Elk Creek in Erie County, key forestland in Fayette County connecting the Ft. Necessity Battlefield to Forbes State Forest, an important property along the Clarion River in Elk County and conservation easements in the Laurel Highlands.
In partnership with landowners and other watershed groups, our watershed conservation program protected, restored or enhanced 275 miles of rivers and streams. It also stabilized nearly 11,000 feet of stream bank and improved nearly 13,000 feet of dirt and gravel roads to keep sediment from entering streams.
Our natural heritage program provided information about threatened and endangered species and habitats to guide the conservation work and land-use planning of government agencies, businesses and the conservation community. It also began a project for monitoring the potential impacts of shale gas extraction in many of the most ecologically significant locations in our region. Our policy and science staff educated the public about potential impacts of Marcellus Shale development on Western Pennsylvania’s landscapes and participated in policy recommendations to protect our region’s environment.
Fallingwater experienced its third-highest visitation on record with more than 160,000 guests and undertook preservation projects and early stages of several site improvements.
More than 13,000 volunteers helped plant 135 community gardens in 20 Pennsylvania counties and more than 4,000 street trees, demonstrating Western Pennsylvanians’ commitment to greening our communities.
During 2012, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission granted the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy accreditation following an extensive external review. Accreditiation is an important step for land trusts and was a major project for the Conservancy.
The Conservancy’s slogan is Water, Land, Life – reminding us of the inseparable nature of these elements. This annual report illustrates how, through watershed protection, land conservation, scientific research, green space work and the continued preservation of Fallingwater, we implement our mission and conserve and enhance the most special places in this remarkable region.
Thomas Saunders
President and CEO
