Celebrating Conservation
Since 1991
Our Vision
To preserve natural, rural, and historic landscapes for Nature’s benefit and the enrichment of future generations.
Our Mission
Westmoreland Conservancy preserves, enhances, and connects land, habitat, and green space through acquisition, stewardship, and cooperation with local communities and other organizations.
Contact Us:
Westmoreland Conservancy
1 Priority Lane, Unit 446
Murrysville, PA 15668
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724.325.5523
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Interested in attending an event?
Please let us know by filling out the registration at
www.westmorelandconservancy.org/event-registration
We always look forward to seeing new faces and familiar friends!
Birdwatching
at the
Morosini Reserve
There is always an incredible variety of birds to observe at the Morosini Reserve.
Why?
Because the 183-acre reserve boasts diverse habitat areas. You'll experience a shaded pond, dense woodlands, open fields, and edge habitat all within a 30-minute walk. if you take your time and observe closely, you'll see and hear all SORTS of birds, both migratory and local residents!
One never tires of seeing a beautiful cardinal or bluebird, but an indigo bunting, yellowthroat or cedar waxwing is an exciting rush!
As always, you are invited to enjoy the reserve even without a guided event. Just please, leave no trace.
Autumn Enchanted Forest
Saturday, October 14
11AM - 1PM
Come find fairy houses and learn about the mysterious magic of Nature! Come dressed as your favorite Sprite, Fairy, or woodlands creature! We'll make a fun craft for everyone to take home!
The Morosini Reserve is on Morosini Farm Court off Ringertown Road, parking coordinates for the UPTrail lot are: N 40° 25.493 W 079° 34.939
Event Registration:
Enchanted Forest
Witch Hazel Hike
at the
McGinnis Reserve
Saturday, October 21, 10AM
The McGinnis Reserve on Hunter Drive is home to all sorts of interesting flora. It boasts large colonies of the autumn-blooming Witch Hazel, a native shrub known for its medicinal qualities.
The group will leave the parking lot at 10AM and follow the blue trail to the meadow and into the woods. The delicate yellow blooms are a lovely addition to the colors of the autumn leaves!
http://www.westmorelandconservancy.org/event-registration
Upcoming Activities:
Autumn Enchanted Forest 10/14
Witch Hazel Hike 10/21
Raccoon Creek Autumn
Excursion 10/28
Peaceful Stable Gathering 11/04
Opt-Outside DHCT 11/24
Tomer Hot Chocolate Hike 12/16
Winter Solstice Walk 12/21
1st Day Hike at Caywood 1/01
See our calendar!
PLUS
Birdwatching
Year-round Geocaching
2023 Monthly Meetings:
Delmont Public Library 7PM
Sept 27, Oct 25,
Nov 15** Dec 27
**11/15 Holiday schedule
American Woodcock
Stakeholder Notification/
Public Notice
The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Westmoreland Conservancy is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation. A public comment period is now open.
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The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs.
"I believe that the process of accreditation has strengthened Westmoreland Conservancy, playing an important role in our growth and accomplishments." Shelly Tichy, president of WC.
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The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Westmoreland Conservancy complies with national
quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-
practices.
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To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit
www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org.
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Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Comments on Westmoreland Conservancy’s application will be most useful by November 19, 2023.
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Thank you for your support and interest.
Autumn Equinox Walk
Friday, September 22
6:30PM
Autumn officially begins at 2:50AM EST Saturday, September 23. In lieu of an “0-dark- thirty” event, we’ll take our walk at the Morosini Reserve and observe the last day of Summer. Sunset will be at 7:01PM. Meet at the upper parking lot at the end of Morosini Farm Road. We’ll leave leave the trailhead at 6:30PM and go up to the observation platform to watch the sky.
This event is FREE, but please register on our website: http://www.westmorelandconservancy.org/event-registration
OptOutside Hike 11/24
Along the DHCT 10AM
Prior to Covid, the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) meant standing in lines at stores to get bargain sales. Now we'll opt to go outside and walk off some of that wonderful turkey dinner and tryptophan! Bring your walking stick and register on our website:
www.westmorelandconservancy.org/event-registration.
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The Don Harrison Community Trail (DHCT) is a 5-mile trail extending from the Townsend Park Ballfields to the Walter Reserve on Weistertown Road.
We will meet at the Murrysville Municipal Building and set out at 10AM along the newly restored habitat areas along Haymaker Run. The King/Potter lot on Crowfoot Rd. will allow us to re-group before setting off into the next segment of the trail. The Caywood lot (Hills Church Rd) is just over 1.75 miles, and the trailhead at the Walter Reserve lot on Weistertown Road is roughly 4.25 miles from the starting point.
Please plan accordingly: bring walking sticks, sturdy hiking shoes and protective clothing. Carpool with friends, leaving a vehicle at your chosen destination and another at the municipal lot.
Autumn Excursion
Raccoon Creek State Park
Saturday, October 28
Raccoon Creek State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s largest and most visited state parks. It began as a Recreational Demonstration Area operated by the National Park Service in the 1930s during the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era.
The park encompasses 7,572 acres and features the beautiful 101-acre Raccoon Lake. Facilities are a mix of modern and rustic with group camps from the CCC era.
We are planning to follow the Forest and Lake Trail Loop. This loop follows a small portion of the Forest Trail (white blazes) which transects several stream valleys that feed Raccoon Lake, if you continue along this trail. Then the loop continues along the Lake Trail (blue blazes) where the remains of an 1846, two-story, stone springhouse exists near the western end of the trail. Trail head is near the park entrance on Route 18. The way point to turn around is the intersection with the Forest Trail.
Trailhead parking address: 1000 Raccoon Park Rd, Clinton, PA 15026. Meet at the lot at 10AM, or meet at the Murrysview Plaza sign in front of Michael's at 8:30AM. We'll find a place for lunch, but please make sure you bring water!
Please let us know you'll be coming! http://www.westmorelandconservancy.org/event-registration
Geocaching
with
Westmoreland Conservancy
https://www.geocaching.com/p/default.aspx?tab=geocaches#profilepanel
Westmoreland Conservancy has always been happy to host geocaches and events at our reserves. we have cache trails designed to help explore unique features and areas of the properties. Some are even educational!
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We invite you to get out and enjoy our reserves, and if you have a suggestion for or would like to help create a new cache trail on one of the properties not already boasting one, please reach out!
Westmoreland Conservancy is an all-volunteer, private 501(c) 3 non-profit organization committed to conservation. We are not affiliated with the town of Murrysville, nor with Westmoreland County. We do not receive taxpayer monies. Our organization is funded by our donors.
About
Westmoreland Conservancy preserves, enhances and connects land, habitat and green space through acquisition, stewardship, and cooperation with local communities and other organizations.
Our vision is to preserve natural, rural, and historic landscapes for Nature's benefit and the enrichment of future generations. Since 1991 Westmoreland Conservancy has protected more than 600 acres of land.
Westmoreland Conservancy is devoted to conservation of land in Westmoreland County. We are an accredited 501c-3 non-profit organization.
westmorelandconservancy.org generously hosted by donation
Get Involved
Becoming a volunteer provides a unique opportunity to contribute directly to protecting our region’s clean waters, natural areas, and sustainable local economies now and for future generations. You play an important role in conserving the waters, meadows, and woodlands of your community. You will meet wonderful people, too! Volunteering at the Conservancy is productive work, and it’s fun!
Tell us what you would like to do: stewardship; special events; hikes; fundraising; website; newsletters/email news... contact us at the email address or phone number above!
