Our Volunteer Land Stewards are a group of dedicated, hardworking individuals who help WPC maintain our protected properties. Volunteers meet for informal “work days”which offer a chance to socialize with other conservation-minded people, and allow volunteers to explore and learn about the ecology of the areas they help to protect.

Below is a list of upcoming Land Steward Volunteer opportunities. For some projects, volunteers may be asked to bring their own tools. Interested parties can contact our Land Stewardship Coordinator, Andy Zadnick, at 412-586-2318, or azadnik@paconserve.org.

April 24: Bear Run - trail clearing
It was a long hard winter, and the trail system at Bear Run needs help. The rhododendron and mountain laurel were hard-hit by the snow, so come prepared to brush trails, clean water bars, and pick up trash.

May 22: Sideling Hill Creek, Bedford/Fulton counties - boundary marking and invasive plant removal
Our primary focus will be marking the outer boundaries of the adjoining Conservancy properties. We also will tackle some of the abundant invasive plants if time permits. Autumn olive, multiflora rose, and garlic mustard are prime targets, so long pants and sleeves, and heavy gloves are recommended.

June 19: Mulert (Lutzville Cliffs), Bedford Co. – boundary marking and invasive plant control
Take your frustrations out on some invasive plants. Our primary target will be oriental bittersweet. We also will be marking the boundary. Flight 93 National Memorial and Shawnee State Park are nearby.

July 17: Mountain (West Branch French Creek), Erie Co. – trail construction and trash cleanup
Our main goal is to complete the log boardwalk and finish the trail started last year. Logs need to be debarked, carried to the wet areas of the trail, and flattened for easy walking. We'll also clean up some trash along the way. Remember, many hands make for light work.

August 21: Eberly (Beaver Creek), Fayette Co. – invasive plants, boundary marking, trash cleanup
Stiltgrass has, unfortunately, become common on this property, and we aim to change that. We will focus our efforts on invasive plant removal, walk and mark the boundaries, and remove trash. Last year we were lucky enough to find a toilet (finders keepers).

September 18: Sideling Hill Creek (Lattner/Brown), Bedford Co. – Dump cleanup
We plan to remove the remnants of the cinder block foundation, and clean up the dump along Sideling Hill Creek. We’ll provide the dumpster but we need your help filling it.

October 16: Bear Run Nature Reserve, Fayette Co. - Trail repair with Keystone Trails Association
Come and join us as we kick off the trail renovation project at Bear Run. We will join forces with the experienced trail crew from Keystone Trails Association to implement projects such as drainage improvements, water crossings, reroutes, and trail decommissioning. The folks from Keystone will be there all weekend, if anyone wants to camp out.

November 20: Bear Run Reserve, Fayette Co. - wrap up/potluck
We plan to do trail work or invasive plant removal in the morning, followed by a hearty potluck around noon. Come prepared to eat.