We Conserve PA

09/01/2026

Congratulations to WeConservePA members Centre County Farmland Trust and ClearWater Conservancy, and to farmer and landowner Jeff Biddle, for protecting 170-acres known as Bear Meadows Farm, preserved in Centre County! Read more: https://centrecountyfarmlandtrust.org/2026/08/13/bear-meadows-farm-preserved/

“The fields and forests on the farm are an important groundwater resource for the Spring Creek headwaters. CCFT is thrilled to have enabled Jeff Biddle in preserving this important resource for the benefit for future generations.” —Dan Guss, President of Centre County Farmland Trust.

“ClearWater’s partnership with the Centre County Farmland Trust to preserve Bear Meadows Farm not only protects a loved family dairy farm but also advances the Upper Spring Creek Watershed Coldwater Conservation Plan and maintains scenic open space in our growing region.” —Ryan Hamilton, Director of Land Conservation at ClearWater

Jeff Biddle, owner of Bear Meadows Farm, preserved 170 acres of farm fields and forests in July 2026 with a conservation easement held by the Centre County Farmland Trust that will benefit water and air quality, wildlife habitat, scenic views, agricultural soils and air quality.

08/26/2026

“The present health of the forest and rich diversity of species found within are a testament to the family’s careful stewardship of the property for over 60 years.” —Annie Maloney, Executive Director at Foundation for Sustainable Forests

Congratulations to WeConservePA member Foundation for Sustainable Forests on 282 acres of forested land in Erie County’s Washington Township, recently conserved as the Robert Crawford Memorial Forest. The forest surrounds the headwaters of Conneautee Creek and Little Conneautee Creek, part of the greater French Creek watershed. Under the conservation protections, these lands will remain as sustainable working forests and cannot be subdivided, developed, or sold. Under FSF’s care, the property will be managed to maintain ecosystem health and resilience, and is open to the public for recreational activities such as hunting, hiking, and bird-watching.

Thank you to Susan Wellman, daughter of the property’s namesake, who conveyed the land to FSF via charitable sale. The purchase was made possible with financial support by the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.

Learn more:

282 acres of forested land in Erie County’s Washington Township have been conserved by the Foundation for Sustainable Forests (FSF), a 501(c)(3) charitable land trust in […]

08/24/2026

Latest news from the Environmental Advisory Council Network, including EAC Conference agenda and registration.

Email from WeConservePA Springfield Solar | EAC Conference | PA Plant Listing Changes Environmental Advisory Council Network News Registration Open: EAC & Municipal Sustainability Conference Saturday,

08/24/2026

Help inform the next decade of wildlife conservation in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Game Commission's 2025-2035 management plan is available for public review and comment through September 19.

Pennsylvania is home to an incredibly diverse ecosystem of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Together with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, we protect, conserve, and enhance these species as part of a common mission.

As part of that mission, we also work together to manage the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan, a blueprint for managing and protecting our Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

First developed in 2005, the Wildlife Action Plan showcases our state agencies’ commitment to stewarding our natural resources. The plan is carefully aligned in a joint effort with not just PFBC but also the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The plan for 2025-35 includes management proposals for 858 Species of Greatest Need including 86 birds, 21 mammals, 19 amphibians, 18 reptiles, 47 fishes, and 667 invertebrates. You can reference the drafted plan at: www.pa.gov/wildlife-action-plan.

Public comment is being accepted for the 2025-35 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan. Comments on the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan can be made now through September 19 by clicking on the link above and going to the “How to provide comments” tab.

08/20/2026

What can you offer to Pennsylvania's premier land conservation learning and networking event next year? Proposals are now being accepted: https://weconservepa.org/conference/. Standard session lengths are 60 or 90 minutes, with half-day, full-day, and multi-session formats welcome (multi-session formats might include two related sessions that build on each other, a series exploring different aspects of a larger topic, or a combination of an on-site session and an off-site/mobile seminar).

08/20/2026

Latest news from PA land trusts and the statewide conservation movement!

Email from WeConservePA Leadership Award Nominations | New Acquisitions | Four Conferences Projects & People News Nominations Open: Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award Deadline for submission: Frid

08/13/2026

Congratulations to Westmoreland Land Trust and all the many partners involved in the permanent protection and acquisition of 23 acres in the Turtle Creek Gorge along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail!

08/04/2026

We are honored to have received one of ten national achievement awards by the Coalition for Recreational Trails, for the 2025 Pennsylvania Greenways & Trails Summit. The Summit, which took place in Harrisburg last year, was named the winner in the Engaging Public-Sector Partners category. Thank you to a great event planning team, venue and hospitality support at Hilton Harrisburg Hotel, all presenters who provided robust content, attendees, and sponsors including Dauphin County, PA Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Visit Widget, Pennsylvania Interscholastic Mountain Biking-PICL, NV5.inc, Wilson Consulting Group, PC, Mackin Engineers & Consultants, and Pennsylvania Environmental Council!

“The Greenways & Trails Summit showcases the incredible impact that trails and outdoor recreation have on both community well-being and our regional economy." —Summit Co-Chair Jenny McConnell, Sales Manager for Visit Hershey & Harrisburg

"The event was about building partnerships, conserving natural resources, and creating opportunities for people to connect with trails and one another.” —Summit Co-Chair Anthea Stebbins, Director of Dauphin County Parks & Recreation

07/28/2026

Congratulations to WeConservePA member Lebanon Valley Conservancy, landowners John and Megan Donmoyer, Kittatinny Ridge Conservation Landscape, and other partners on the conservation of this 136-acre, century-old dairy farm in Lebanon County bordering Fort Indiantown Gap. https://www.morningagclips.com/family-conservation-easement-protects-critical-working-lands/

"Located within three miles of the Kittatinny Ridge, the Donmoyer parcel buffers the Ridge, which provides migratory habitat to tens of thousands of mammals, raptors, and songbirds as they transition from their breeding range to their wintering range. It offers a variety of habitats, including forest, grassland, wetlands, and riparian areas. Notable species of greatest conservation need likely to occur there include Bald Eagle, Grasshopper Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush, Willow Flycatcher, Purple Martin, Gray Catbird, and Baltimore Checkerspot. The site is also near the only known population of Eastern Regal Fritillary butterfly, a species proposed to be listed as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."

LEBANON CO., Pa. — Dairy farmers John and Megan Donmoyer have made a lasting commitment to conservation by protecting their 136-acre century old farm in...