Three years into the Great Depression, ten citizens came together to found a non-profit conservation organization. The organization’s goal was to alleviate widespread unemployment through public works programs that would also create a positive impact on the region’s natural resources.

To date, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has protected nearly 228,000 acres of natural lands in Pennsylvania, restored “dead” watersheds and founded six state parks. In 1963, Edgar Kaufmann jr. (sic) entrusted WPC with Fallingwater, his family’s weekend home and Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterwork in Mill Run, Pennsylvania. WPC also enriches our region’s cities and towns through 140 community gardens and greenspaces that are planted with the help of 10,000 volunteers.

We invite you to explore the challenges and successes that comprise our 78-year history of caring for water, land and life in Western Pennsylvania.

Timeline
Presidents