Dear Dr. Conservation:

We recently moved to Western Pennsylvania and with our kids away at school, I’ve been considering getting involved with a group that’s conservation oriented. I’ve worked with trash clean-up and recycling efforts where I used to live, so I have some experience with environmental issues. But my question is where would my time be most effectively used given all the issues that face our environment? I can’t help but think that buying land and preserving it from development is the one best thing that we can do. Would a land trust or group that holds land be the best place to invest my time? What about watershed groups - do they buy land?

Jamie
Westmoreland County

Dear Jamie:

You raise some good issues about approaches to conservation and about how we as individuals can fit into the whole picture. First of all, you’ve taken an important step in your decision to participate - I think that everyone throughout the conservation community would commend you for that. Next, it sounds like you may need to investigate some of the groups in your area to find out what they do and how you would be able to participate. Bear in mind that there are 100 ways to approach conservation, and none are necessarily more effective than the others; they are different. Some efforts like land acquisition are very tangible and relatively quick in their (initial) results. Others that focus on, say, education are harder to measure and understand in their long-term benefits. But no effort or program is a one-time venture; it takes constant attention, work and vigilance. Take land acquisition.

Once bought, the land must be stewarded, monitored for inappropriate activities, and ultimately managed to maintain the qualities that were important in the first place. So, in your quest, consider the organization, its mission and the work it does, but also ask yourself what makes sense for your involvement. Do you want to serve on a board that meets regularly and requires your time all year round or would a project-by-project schedule work better? Attend a board meeting or meet with the staff (if the organization is large enough to have staff). Explore your ideas and see if the people and the work fit your expectations.

And whether it’s a land trust, a watershed group, a recycling organization or a municipal board, you will want to truly enjoy the time you spend there. And, yes, some watershed groups own land but generally not. Land trusts usually specialize in acquisition and easements and often these kinds of groups work closely together to accomplish mutual goals.

Appreciatively,
Dr. Conservation

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