The Nature Conservancy: Pittsburgh Just Got Greener

What did it take to convince the world’s largest conservation organization to set up shop right here in Pittsburgh?

With a million members and programs in over 30 countries, The Nature Conservancy, dedicated to protecting nature and preserving life, now has an office in Castle Shannon. Their world headquarters, one of over 650 locations, is located in Arlington, Virginia, so  Lebanon Shops seems an unlikely spot for this global leader. Yet, in October of 2008, after five years of cultivating relationships via one full-time staff member working from home, and 50 years of conservation around the state, The Nature Conservancy opened its doors in Pittsburgh. 

According to Donor Relations Manager Teresa Saxton, the combination of the nearby Appalachian forest, the region’s strong connection to the land and rivers, and its philanthropic profile drew the Conservancy to Pittsburgh. The city’s commitment to “going green” enhanced the attraction. The non-profit Nature Conservancy chose a location with reasonable rent and access to public transportation—the Arlington and Castle Shannon trolley stops both just steps away--making green commuting a snap for employees and visitors.

Taking a Deep Dive
The Conservancy focuses on interrelated landscapes in order to develop partnerships, memberships and programs across the state. For example, the Nature Conservancy has been active in the French Creek watershed for almost two decades where they recently   spearheaded the French Creek Joint Venture, a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.  The Pittsburgh staff concentrates on fundraising, serving members and raising awareness. They are “connectors.”

What makes The Nature Conservancy unique is their scientific approach to decision making. Their mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Planning experts use science-based strategies to identify areas critical to the long-term conservation of Pennsylvania’s natural assets and the Conservancy works with private and public landowners to ensure good ecological management and sustain our wide array of wildlife. The Conservancy partners with other philanthropic and environmental groups like The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for protecting lands and waters. 

Several established Nature Conservancy programs and projects are an easy drive from Pittsburgh. West Branch Wilderness, a few hours north east, is home to the Conservancy’s forest laboratory where researchers are working to restore the American chestnut tree.  There, Pennsylvania’s elk herd can be seen roaming the more than one million acres of public and private forests in Clinton and Elk Counties. This destination point is open for hunting, hiking, and passive recreation on trails that cross into Hyner View State Park. French Creek, near Meadville, is a fresh water habitat hosting a variety of endangered mussel species. 

Grin and Bear It
At Brush Mountain, near Altoona, on land near Canoe Creek State Park, the Conservancy is working to ensure black bears, wild turkeys, rattle snakes, wood rats and even the endangered Indiana Bats continue to thrive.  This diverse old forest area is rich with healthy new growth and an important stop in the migration route through the Appalachians.

Our region connects to the big picture in a big way. The Nature Conservancy has launched a global campaign for a Sustainable Planet, and because of its biodiversity of species, the Appalachian Mountain Range is designated as one of eleven priority forest conservation areas worldwide. In addition, The Ohio/Allegheny river basin is one of the most diverse river systems in North America.

To learn more about what The Nature Conservancy is doing in Pennsylvania, and around the globe, go to www.nature.org and click on “where we work.”  According to Bill Kunze, PA director for the Conservancy, “Pennsylvania has long been considered a leader of industry – strong in technology, manufacturing, agriculture, and service. It has also been a keystone of conservation, working to protect millions of acres of natural areas for future generations to enjoy.  Today it is also a leader in building a new green economy that supports the natural world while creating jobs and investment in our future.”

Teresa Saxton reports that the areas where the Conservancy works outside of Pittsburgh enhance and preserve natural ecosystems like forest and fresh water in PA. Ultimately this conservation and stewardship maintains and improves many quality of life issues relevant to city and suburban dwellers – like drinking water, air quality and biodiversity.

“As one of the largest conservation organizations in the world, we are an excellent resource for Pittsburgh. More than fifty years of conservation work is helping us protect the most important habitats for the future, and provide the Conservancy with the tools needed to help public agencies think through difficult issues like highway or wind-turbine placement so that they have the least impact on wildlife. This solutions-based approach is attractive to our members, donors and corporate partners who want to achieve lasting, measurable results.”

To read more, volunteer, or join the 3300 Allegheny County residents who are already members of The Nature Conservancy, go to www.nature.org. Help Pittsburgh go green.

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Beth Evans is a Mt. Lebanon-based freelance writer.

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Top: Teresa Saxton, Amanda Cherry and Heather Lawrence of the Pittsburgh Nature Conservancy.

Images of children volunteering courtesy Nature Conservancy; all other photographs copyright Brian Cohen