We are a member-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring the region’s waters, forests, natural areas and wildlife, planting community trees, gardens and greenspaces, and caring for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater.
We’re Combatting Invasive Insect to Save PA’s State Tree
Invasive species threaten native plants and animals by competing for space, limiting food resources and altering habitats. With the help of volunteers and specialists, we work to manage invasive infestations within all aspects of our work, including on our preserves and caring for Fallingwater’s landscape.
One of many invasives we are combatting is hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an insect that is killing some species of hemlock trees, including Pennsylvania’s state tree, the eastern hemlock. To possibly control the spread of HWA at WPC’s Bear Run Nature Reserve, we recently released
a natural predator, the Ln beetle, within a nursery habitat, or insectary. We hope to know by fall if the beetles are feeding on the HWA eggs and young adelgids. Charles Bier, senior director of conservation science for WPC, says that this experimental effort is advancing thanks to our close partnership with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry.
We are creating another insectary at our Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area. We need your help to combat invasive
species. Learn how to become a volunteer land steward or use iMapInvasives, a free database managed by our Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program staff.
Also, National Invasive Species Awareness Week is Feb. 28-March 4.
See Fallingwater Artist-in-Residence Exhibit at The Westmoreland Museum of Art
Stephen
Towns, a Fallingwater artist-in-residence in June 2021, examines the American dream through the lives of Black Americans from the late 18th century to present, including former Fallingwater cook Elsie Henderson. His exhibitionat The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, “Stephen Towns: Declaration & Resistance,”is open through May 8.
We’re seeking more
teammates to work at Fallingwater in Fayette County for the upcoming tour season! We’re immediately hiring visitor services representatives, café assistants, a custodian, security officers, an executive chef and more. Internships are available, too!
We welcome volunteer stewards to lead volunteers
in our community flower gardens and keep the gardens prime for pollinators and looking beautiful throughout the growing season. A steward can be one person, a family or a group of friends or coworkers. Learn which gardens need stewards. Can’t volunteer? Sponsor a garden!
World Wetlands Day is February 2! The Conservancy protects and restores wetlands such as those at our Helen B. Katz Natural Area, improving habitat for diverse wildlife, including wood ducks, beavers and a variety of birds. At Ohiopyle State Park, we improved habitat for wild brook trout, ducks, frogs, salamanders and even rare dragonflies. Read more on pages 8 and 16 of our most recent Conserve Magazine.
Download Images for Your Desktop or Virtual Meeting
Enjoy winter recreation at our 992-acre West Branch French Creek Conservation Area, which hosts a stream, floodplain, beaver ponds and a hemlock-forested wetland. This preserve is among the more than 5,500 acreswithin the French Creek watershed we’ve protected since 1969. More good news: French Creek was just voted 2022 River of the Year!
This February impress and indulge someone special with the gift of chocolate that can only be found at Fallingwater: our exclusive Fallingwater Chocolate Truffles! These artful and decadent handmade truffles by Amanda Wright, local chocolatier and owner of A519 Chocolate, are inspired by Fallingwater’s key elements of concrete,
steel, stone, water and forest.
The truffles are packaged in two sizes, a 9-piece box and a 15-piece box, and are available for purchase online throughout February.Supplies are limited. Order yours
today!
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
800 Waterfront Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
United States
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and 100% of your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
