Discover French Creek, Land Conserved, Learn at Fallingwater and More

Many plants and animals depend on the unique habitats of the French Creek watershed to survive. More than 80 species of fish, 27 species of freshwater mussels, numerous bird species, including bald eagles, and Pennsylvania’s state amphibian, the Eastern hellbender, call French Creek home.

As one of Pennsylvania’s most biologically diverse areas, the 1,250-square-mile French Creek watershed, which includes parts of Erie, Crawford, Venango and Mercer counties in Pennsylvania as well as Chautauqua County, New York, has been a priority conservation area for WPC for more than 50 years. We’ve protected approximately 5,600 acres there, including two properties just added in July, and have partnered with many organizations to protect plants and wildlife, conserve land, help landowners improve water quality and more.

You can enjoy nature on 15 WPC-owned preserves within the watershed, including West Branch French Creek Conservation Area, Helen B. Katz Natural Area, Lake Pleasant Conservation Area and our newest, Franklin Line Canal Natural Area.

Want to help keep Pennsylvania’s 2022 River of the Year clean? Volunteer for French Creek Cleanup on September 10. Contact Andy Zadnik, the Conservancy's director of land stewardship, at azadnik@paconserve.org or 412-977-9681.

Also, join WPC staff for a free webinar, “Discover French Creek,” on August 10 at noon to learn more about our work in the watershed and how you can get involved.