Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

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Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Enhancing the region’s quality of life by protecting and restoring exceptional places.

10/02/2026

Putting your kayak in the water can sometimes take you down a slippery slope...but it doesn't have to be that way!

Does your community needs an improved or established access point for people to get on the water? Your organization or municipality can apply for a WPC Canoe Access Development Fund grant of up to $5,000 to build or improve a canoe access site.

Learn more and apply by November 13 ➡️ https://bit.ly/2D8uF9I
Share or tag someone who might be interested!

Before and after photos courtesy of Rose Point Park Cabins & Camping, a recent CADF awardee

Our little beech leaves are part of something big! Researchers from the UConn (University of Connecticut) Plant Computat...
10/02/2026

Our little beech leaves are part of something big!

Researchers from the UConn (University of Connecticut) Plant Computational Genomics Lab contacted WPC to be part of a genetics project.

Andy Zadnik, WPC senior director of land stewardship, collected American beech leaves at our Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area, Tryon-Weber Woods and Helen B. Katz Natural Area and sent them off to Connecticut.

Scientists at UConn will compare our leaves against more than 400 samples from across the species, studying genetic connectivity and local adaptation of beech species.

The results can be used for forest management planning, assisted migration and reforesting.

The project is also part of Adventure Scientists, an organization that trains volunteers as community scientists who gather critical field data to accelerate conservation and climate science.

10/01/2026

The acidic bogs and diverse wetlands of Wattsburg Fen Natural Area, in Erie County, provide habitat for a several rare plants. Bogs are unusual in Pennsylvania, so this is indeed a very special place!

When you see "natural area" in the name of a WPC preserve, it means it is the most ecologically significant type of preserve. We manage those preserves to support a particular rare species or natural community.

Wattsburg Fen Natural Area is part of an area designated as National Natural Landmarks by the National Park Service!

We're excited to begin breaking a trail at this unique preserve, and you can help! Join us for a land stewardship work day on October 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or stay as long as you like).

Contact Andy Zadnik, WPC's senior director of land stewardship, at [email protected] or 412-586-2318 for details and directions.

A recent misty morning at our Lake Pleasant Conservation Area in Erie County. A great place to kayak!
10/01/2026

A recent misty morning at our Lake Pleasant Conservation Area in Erie County. A great place to kayak!

Our staff just installed fall displays in our City of Flowers street planters, funded by Colcom!They feature red, yellow...
09/30/2026

Our staff just installed fall displays in our City of Flowers street planters, funded by Colcom!
They feature red, yellow, orange and purple mums and blue rug junipers to welcome the cooler weather. Enjoy the blooms as you stroll downtown Pittsburgh!

TRIVIA TUESDAY and LAST CALL TO REGISTER: During the past 50 years, the North American bird population has seen a steep ...
09/30/2026

TRIVIA TUESDAY and LAST CALL TO REGISTER: During the past 50 years, the North American bird population has seen a steep decline of more than three billion birds. One species has seen a 92% decline in population!

Our avian ecologists are using new technology to track that species' winter movements to help inform conservation strategies. What bird is it?
🐦🦜🐧
Drop your guess below! (We'll answer in the comments tomorrow.)

Then, put the rest of your random knowledge to the test at our second annual Trivia Night fundraiser next Thursday, hosted by WPC’s Emerging Leaders Advisory Committee and featuring trivia by Drew's Clues Trivia. 🌿🧠🍻

Join us Thursday, October 8, from 7-9 p.m. at Mondays Brewing Company in Greenfield for drinks, prizes and friendly competition, all while supporting the work of WPC’s natural heritage program.

Bring a team of five (or join one when you arrive). Grab your tickets before they sell out ➡️https://bit.ly/3SCDWA1

Just a friendly reminder to wear blaze orange when spending time outdoors during fall. Most WPC preserves are open for h...
09/30/2026

Just a friendly reminder to wear blaze orange when spending time outdoors during fall.

Most WPC preserves are open for hunting, except on Sundays. WPC preserves are privately owned; we choose to make them available everyone for low-impact recreation.

Please be aware of your surroundings and make yourself seen.

“Fallingwater’s beauty remains fresh like that of the nature into which it fits.” -- Edgar Kaufmann jr.Experience that b...
09/29/2026

“Fallingwater’s beauty remains fresh like that of the nature into which it fits.” -- Edgar Kaufmann jr.

Experience that beauty this autumn, when the landscape surrounding Fallingwater takes on its seasonal colors and the house reveals new perspectives at every turn.

Plan your fall visit and experience Fallingwater in harmony with the landscape that inspired it.

Reserve your tour at Fallingwater.org.

Are you aware that mushrooms and their hidden underground networks are entangled with human life...and all life on Earth...
09/29/2026

Are you aware that mushrooms and their hidden underground networks are entangled with human life...and all life on Earth? From fungi, we get foods, medicines, filters for the environment and much more.

Discover the fascinating world of fungi and their complex entanglement with our lives!

Register for a special livestream conversation this Thursday, October 1 at 6 p.m. with internationally acclaimed scientist and author Merlin Sheldrake, and Natural Heritage Program Conservation Mycologist Hannah Huber, Pennsylvania’s first official state mycologist ➡️ https://bit.ly/4Asm1x0

Please note: The session will be livestreamed but not recorded. The event is part of Swarthmore College's Fungi Fest.

Mussels are returning to the West Branch Susquehanna River! WPC and partners from Pennsylvania and Maryland* have joined...
09/28/2026

Mussels are returning to the West Branch Susquehanna River!

WPC and partners from Pennsylvania and Maryland* have joined forces to bring back freshwater mussels and migratory fish in the river’s Lock Haven-to-Keating section. Previously polluted by coal mining, the area is rebounding after cleanup.

To date,10,000 American eels with attached glochidia (larvae) of Eastern elliptio have been placed in the river.

This month, we're placing 10,000 yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) and Eastern lampmussel (Lampsilis radiata), reared by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Joseph Manning Fish Hatchery, in the river.

Learn more about how we're helping mussels! Register for our free webinar, "Pennsylvania’s New 'River Livers' Plan, November 16 ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Urev4J
Can't attend live? Register and after the webinar you'll receive a link to the recorded webinar.

*WPC is collaborating with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Susquehanna River Basin Commission and Commonwealth University-Lock Haven to restore the mussel species with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake WILD program.

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800 Waterfront Drive
Pittsburgh, PA
15222

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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