More than 5,300 Volunteers Planted
Community Gardens in 2007

(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  October 5, 2007).  Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) volunteers made a visible difference this year by planting colorful community gardens in 140 neighborhoods.  The community gardens are the result of an ongoing partnership between the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and community residents in 19 western Pennsylvania counties.

“I think the most encouraging statistic about the community garden program is that more than half of the 5,300 program volunteers are young people,” said Judy Wagner, Senior Director of the Community Gardens and Greenspace Program. “This indicates not only that the program is viable today, but also that it has support for a strong future. In addition, this year we had a record 180 partnering groups working with this program ¾ a wonderful indication of community support.”

The strong volunteer turnout in 2007 advanced the mission of the Community Gardens and Greenspace program, to enhance and beautify communities of all sizes and in all locations throughout 19 western Pennsylvania counties.

More than 2,900 volunteers came from 65 area schools, while 114 community groups rallied approximately 1,800 community gardeners. In addition, 600 volunteers from 65 corporations contributed to the beautification of their communities.

WPC’s community gardens have become a signature image of the western Pennsylvania landscape.  Appearing in diverse locations and in varied configurations, the gardens provide backdrops that enhance other cultural and civic assets.  The gardens also serve as hallmarks of the region’s beautiful landscape and help to improve overall quality of life. 

WPC’s community gardens are seen by motorists an estimated 3.5 million times a day, based on PennDOT statistics.  Each year, more than 200,000 flowers are planted by volunteers—enough to make a flowerbed stretching from Pittsburgh to the West Virginia border.

If you’re interested in helping improve your community, email gardens@paconserve.org or call 412 586-2324. To take a virtual tour of all 140 WPC community garden projects, visit www.paconserve.org/gardens.

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About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
Since its founding in 1932, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has protected more than 216,000 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 5,000 volunteers and dozens of community organizations and businesses to plant and maintain more than 140 gardens and greening projects in 19 western Pennsylvania counties.

2007 Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. All rights reserved.