Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Presents
Bear Run Nature Reserve Conservation Plan at June 28 Public Meeting

  (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  June 7, 2007) The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy will host a public meeting  to present the completed version of the Bear Run Nature Reserve (BRNR) Conservation Plan at the Barn at Fallingwater, on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 7 p.m. 

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) recently completed the conservation plan for the 5189-acre Fayette County property; a plan that provides important environmental information to guide biological diversity protection and identify habitat enhancement opportunities.  The plan will serve as:

• A long-term framework for natural resource conservation and sustainable land use. 
• An integration of conservation at BRNR with the larger Laurel Highlands region.
• A foundation for cooperative conservation efforts among state land-holding agencies, the WPC, and private landowners.
• An opportunity to engage local community members and the general public, fostering awareness for natural resource conservation.
• A guide for developing recreation opportunities compatible with sensitive natural resources with federal and state designations, such as “exceptional value waters”,  “important bird area”, and “species of special concern.”

The development of the Bear Run Nature Reserve Conservation Plan was partially funded by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

Bear Run Nature Reserve is WPC’s largest property and will be managed to protect, conserve and restore land and water for the diversity of the region’s native plants, animals and their ecosystems.  Streams and watersheds, forests, and common and rare native species are the focus of management.  Bear Run Nature Reserve is integral to biodiversity conservation in the Laurel Highlands and the mid-Appalachian region.

The Barn at Fallingwater is located on Route 381 three miles south of Mill Run, Pa. For more information about the public meeting call Sarah Pears at 724-329-1441, extension 1016 or Denise Miner at 724-329-1441, extension 1202.

About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
Since its founding in 1932, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has protected more than 212,000 acres of natural lands in Pennsylvania, restored watersheds and saved natural habitats for a diversity of life and uses.  The Conservancy has been responsible for the founding of six state parks, including Ohiopyle, Laurel Ridge, McConnell’s Mill, Moraine, Oil Creek and Erie Bluffs.  In addition, WPC created the 300-acre Wildflower Reserve at Raccoon Creek State Park, and added land to Blue Knob State Park.

The WPC also preserves Fallingwater®, the masterpiece home designed in 1935 by Frank Lloyd Wright for Edgar J. Kaufmann in Mill Run, Pennsylvania.  In 1963, Edgar Kaufmann jr. (sic) entrusted Fallingwater to the Conservancy.  Today, WPC continues its award winning preservation efforts and offers a wide variety of educational programs to more than 135,000 annual visitors.  The preservation of Fallingwater is a symbol of living in harmony with nature. 

Each year, WPC also partners with 4,000 volunteers and dozens of community organizations and businesses to plant and maintain more than 140 gardens and greening projects in 19 western Pennsylvania counties.

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