Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
and The Allegheny National Forest

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Allegheny National Forest
Over the years, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s work and that of the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) have been linked in many ways. In addition to our extensive conservation work along the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers, which contributed to their designations as Wild and Scenic Rivers, WPC has been instrumental in the conservation of ANF’s Hickory Creek Wilderness Area and the Allegheny River Islands Wilderness. Over the years, WPC’s work in the Forest has protected more than 20,000 acres and our scientific projects have collected biodiversity data describing ANF’s ecosystems.

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is currently engaged with ANF in the revision of the ANF Forest Plan. WPC is working with developers of the plan to assure that the most important natural resources of the forest are managed in ways that are compatible with the recreational and other economic activities.

Key conservation issues:

• ANF protection of exceptional value streams, high water quality and abundant aquatic life, including species like endangered northern riffleshell and clubshell mussels
• Preservation of habitat for species most dependent on large intact blocks of forestland, such as migratory songbirds
• Assurance of a healthy sustainable forest that includes a variety of species and ages of trees, and is compatible with and sensitive to the larger landscape that exists beyond its borders
• Management of resources to sustain the premier timber and wood products industry of Pennsylvania, and perpetuate the well- being of local communities.

Go to the next article, Allegheny National Forest Resources.