water, land, life
WPC's Monthly eNewsletter

Register for fall members’ outing on the Joshua C. Whetzel, Jr. Trail

Join us Sunday, Oct. 13 in Confluence, Pa., to hike the new Joshua C. Whetzel, Jr. Trail in Confluence, Somerset County. Named in honor of former Conservancy President Joshua C. Whetzel, Jr., the trail features views of the Great Allegheny Passage trail and the Casselman and Youghiogheny rivers. It’s located on one of six Conservancy-owned properties recently protected to help safeguard scenic views and wildlife along the GAP trail. Meet us for refreshments and snacks at 10:30 a.m. at the Lucky Dog Café, located near the trailhead, to learn more about our work that helped establish and continues to protect the GAP trail. We’ll also share information about other land protection initiatives in the Laurel Highlands. Reserve your spot today!  

Blaze a trail at Toms Run
 
Do you love hiking or taking a peaceful walk in the woods? Volunteer to help create a new 2.6-mile trail that many others will enjoy! Join us at WPC’s Toms Run Nature Reserve in Allegheny County on Sat., Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. to blaze the trail followed by a fun picnic. The Conservancy will provide food, drinks and lawn games – just bring yourself, a water bottle and some work boots. Register by Sept. 12 for this free event!

Celebrate our second ADA-accessible garden opening

 
You’re invited to attend our ribbon-cutting Tues., Sept. 24 from 10-11:15 a.m. to open the second community flower garden specifically designed for people with physical challenges and disabilities. Featuring five raised flower beds and wheelchair-accessible pathways, the new garden is an expansion of the existing RAD-funded community garden located in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood. Learn more about this RADical Days event and our work with The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh on these special gardens!
Volunteers are needed to put gardens to bed

Even flowers need to rest, and now that fall is almost here, it’s time to put our gardens to bed. We planted 2.26 acres of flowers around the region this past spring, and we’ll need lots of volunteers to help us remove annuals and debris. If you or your group would like to volunteer, contact Lynn McGuire-Olzak at (412) 586-2324 or LMcGuire-Olzak@paconserve.org or visit our website for more information.
Learn About this Farm at Mother Earth News Fair
 
Attend Mother Earth News Fair at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Sept. 13-15, which features hundreds of workshops, exhibitors and hands-on demonstrations. While there, stop by WPC’s information booth to meet staff and learn more about farm-leasing options and farmland conservation through our Farmland Access Initiative. Learn more about the fair and our program to make land more accessible for local farmers.
Last call to apply for spring tree plantings with TreeVitalize
 
We’ve planted more than 32,000 trees in the region since 2008. They're working hard to manage stormwater and clean the air! TreeVitalize Pittsburgh, of which WPC is managing partner, is accepting applications for spring 2020 tree plantings. Apply by 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13.
Riparian buffers restore waterways and improve water quality
 
At Catfish Run in South Park Township, 100 perennials are providing nectar for pollinators, 500 live stakes (dormant woody cuttings with the branches removed) are growing, and 575 container trees and 30 landscape trees are thriving. Planted last year, this improved riparian buffer, which is the sensitive area where land meets water, is stabilizing the streambank, limiting pollution runoff and providing habitat for insects, birds and animals. Learn why riparian buffers are important.

Get Your Fallingwater T-shirt

Continue celebrating Fallingwater’s inscription to the UNESCO World Heritage List with the purchase of a T-shirt featuring Fallingwater or another Frank Lloyd Wright design. Regularly priced at $29, during September all Fallingwater and FLW tees will be on sale for $23.95. This special sale price is for online purchases only! These T-shirts are 100% cotton and are available in adult sizes small through 2X. Buy one, two or three today and show your Fallingwater pride!  

September Desktop Background

Planted each spring and tended throughout the year, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s 132 vibrant, colorful community flower gardens bring unique identity, beauty, character and charm to communities throughout Allegheny County and across the region. They also provide important urban wildlife areas for birds and pollinators such as butterflies and bees. Corporations, businesses, organizations and more than 11,000 dedicated volunteers partner with us to plant and care for our gardens in 20 Western Pennsylvania counties. This garden in Carnegie, Pa., sponsored by FedEx Ground, is located at the Heidelberg Interchange of 376 West. Download this calendar featuring our this late-summer garden and learn more about our garden sponsors.

Learn More and Get Involved
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, 800 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Phone: 412-288-2777, Email: info@paconserve.org


Update Profile/Email Address