The next land trust leaders' roundtable will be held virtually from noon to 1:15 pm on October 19, 2020. The roundtable is open to executive directors, board chairs, and other land trust leaders. Click here to register. The roundtables have had a few month hiatus. We will now come back together to check in with one another and share and discuss our various efforts to plan read more
21
September
18
September
Lina Berón Echavarría Joins WeConservePA as Conservation Advocate
Lina joined WeConservePA in September 2020. In her role, she shines a light on the environmental, economic, cultural, and health benefits of conservation and advocates for public policies supportive of conservation including increased state environmental investments. As a recent graduate of Kenyon College, Lina holds a BA in Environmental Studies and Studio Art. Prior to read more
15
September
We Are WeConservePA
Why the name change? "Our new name concisely states what the directors, committee members, and staff of the organization endeavor to accomplish; the work of member land trusts, open space programs, environmental advisory councils, trail groups, and other conservation organizations engaged with and supported by WeConservePA; and the motivation for the individual persons read more
14
September
About the New Logo
WeConservePA’s logo features a stylized cone of the eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), Pennsylvania’s official state tree. The shade-tolerant hemlock grows naturally in every Pennsylvania county but especially on relatively moist ridges, ravines, and hillsides. Vast numbers of towering, centuries-old eastern hemlocks greeted colonial settlers. The hemlock’s dense read more
10
September
Three New Guides
WeConservePA has published three new guides at ConservationTools.org. The content of each is briefly described below. Adverse Possession in Pennsylvania A long-time trespasser may gain ownership of land by using it with no documented challenge for 21 years. Landowners can avoid this threat with some good, basic practices. (link, 7 pages) Adding to Land Under Conservation read more
10
September
Comments on Model Conservation Easement Changes Due Sep. 25
WeConservePA proposes two changes to the Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants. Send comments on these changes to aloza@weconservepa.org by 9/25/2020 to be considered in the finalization of any changes. WeConservePA proposes a new subsection under 8.09 “Guides to Interpretation”: (f) Interpret in Favor of Conservation Objectives. If any read more
16
September
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice Resources
WeConservePA has compiled links to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) resources. Topics range from anti-racism resources, to diversity and inclusion in conservation, to personal reflections. If you are aware of other good resources to include in this compilation, please contact WeConservePA communications specialist, Hilary Hirtle, at hhirtle@weconservepa.org. read more
15
September
Rayenne A. Chen Joins Natural Lands Board
Natural Lands announced on September 14, 2020 the addition of Rayenne A. Chen to its Board of Trustees. Principal and part of the founding team at Exeter Property Group, Ms. Chen is responsible for raising capital from institutional investors for Exeter’s real estate private equity funds. The firm operates nearly 250 million square feet of properties and ranks among the read more
15
September
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy Acquires 404 Acres on Peters Mountain
On September 3, 2020, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy purchased 404 acres of ridge and forest land along Peters Mountain in Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County. The newly acquired parcel adjoins DCNR’s Joe Ibberson Conservation Area and State Gamelands #211, and it contains the historic Victoria Trail. This acquisition is intended for future transfer to adjoining public read more
15
September
WeConservePA Board Chair Comments on Name Change
We Conserve PA. Never before has our association had such a simple message. A message that describes what each and every one of us strive to accomplish every day. Land trusts conserve PA as do other friends of conservation who support and are supported by the association: individual persons, municipal open space programs, environmental advisory councils, trail groups, and other read more
15
September
WeConservePA Executive Director Comments on Name Change
Dear Friends of Conservation, On June 30, 2020, the member organizations of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association voted to change the Association’s name to WeConservePA. Why the change? The name concisely states what the directors, committee members, and staff of the organization endeavor to accomplish; the work of member land trusts, open space programs, environmental read more
15
September
WeConservePA Executive Director Comments on Name Change
Dear Friends of Conservation, On June 30, 2020, the member organizations of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association voted to change the Association’s name to WeConservePA. Why the change? The name concisely states what the directors, committee members, and staff of the organization endeavor to accomplish; the work of member land trusts, open space programs, environmental read more
14
September
WPC Protects More Forestland in the Bennett Branch Watershed for Moshannon State Forest
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced on September 1, 2020 the permanent protection of 561 acres of forestland in Benezette Township, Elk County – a popular destination in our region to see elk roam in their habitat. The property was immediately conveyed to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to become open to the public as a new addition to read more
11
September
DCNR Announces 2020 Virtual Grant Workshops for Recreation and Conservation Projects
Need funding for a park, trail, or conservation project? The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) – Bureau of Recreation and Conservation is hosting its free, annual grant workshops in November. All workshops will be virtual this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone interested in applying for bureau grants in 2021 is strongly encouraged read more
10
September
Allegheny Land Trust to Protect Historic Log Home
Local non-profit conservation organization Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) has assumed ownership of the historic Walker-Ewing Log House and surrounding grounds in Collier Township. ALT and former owner, the Pioneers West Historical Society, said the transfer of this landmark was initiated to ensure the long-term preservation of the iconic structure and land it rests upon. Located read more
