Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

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Mission

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.

Programs and Services

  • Land Conservation and Stewardship: The beautiful and varied landscapes of Western Pennsylvania range from high plateaus and mountain ridges to vast forests and rich river valleys. These lands and waterways provide bountiful recreational opportunities and support local economies. They also sustain native plants, animals and ecosystems that, in some cases, are found nowhere else on earth. To date, WPC has conserved more than 264,000 acres in Western Pennsylvania.
  • Community Gardens and Greenspaces: Through this program, WPC makes neighborhoods healthier and more attractive through flower and vegetable gardens. Each year, WPC partners with more than 9,000 volunteers to plant and maintain 130 gardens in 20 Western Pennsylvania counties. Through WPC's Community Forestry program, we have planted more than 34,000 street trees in areas with sparse tree cover. WPC also creates formal plans to help community leaders green their neighborhoods.
  • Watershed Conservation: WPC is working to improve our region’s water quality. Through a number of strategic projects and initiatives - such as streambank restorations, in-stream habitat work and riparian plantings - our watershed conservation program works to protect and restore local rivers and streams. We’re improving wildlife habitats, drinking-water sources and opportunities for recreation, while working to ensure that our waterways remain healthy and viable for generations to come.
  • Fallingwater, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is hailed as a masterpiece of 20th century architecture. Designed in 1935 by renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater is one of Wright’s most widely acclaimed works and best exemplifies his philosophy of organic architecture: the harmonious union of art and nature. Since 1963, the Conservancy has owned and preserved Fallingwater so that the public can tour, experience and be inspired by this example of American architecture.
  • The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program inventories important plants, animals and natural communities across PA. It is a partnership of the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, WPC, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Data on rare plant and animal species and habitats are collected by PNHP staff and is used by state and federal agencies for environmental review and also by planning agencies for land-use planning and protection.

Primary Revenue Sources

Foundation and Government support and Fallingwater admissions

2020 Financials

Federal Tax ID25-1053485
Revenue$21,943,336
Expenses$22,295,154
Net Assets$108,833,256

Contact

Name:Julie Holmes
Title:Director of Development
Email:jholmes@paconserve.org
Website:waterlandlife.org
Phone:(412) 288-2777
Address:800 Waterfront Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

This website contains an organizational snapshot, as well as links and contact information, for each of our participating charities. We have also included the tax identification number for each charity so Donors wishing to review more detailed financial and governance information may access the Form 990 for that charity via irs.gov.