Redbank Creek Conservation Plan Presented at Jefferson County Watershed Festival
May 19, 2007

(Pittsburgh and Blairsville, Pennsylvania.  April 27, 2007)  The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC), in cooperation with Sandy Lick Conservation Initiative and North Fork Watershed Association, is  presenting the Redbank Creek Watershed Conservation Plan during the Jefferson County Watershed Festival on May 19, 2007 at the Walter Dick Memorial Park in Brookville. The festival runs from 8 a.m. to noon with a presentation on the plan being held at 11 a.m. If the watershed festival is postponed, the public meeting will still occur at 11 a.m., but will be moved to the Jefferson Conservation District – next to the fairgrounds in Brookville.

The watershed conservation plan, developed through a locally driven planning process, created a vision for the watershed community. The plan focuses on conserving the natural resources (land, water, and biological) and cultural resources (historical and recreational), with consideration given to enhancing the socio-economics of the watershed. The plan also offers recommendations to conserve or enhance its valuable assets based on public input.

The goal of the plan is to identify initiatives that will actively engage the watershed community, increase recreational opportunities, address water quality concerns, promote planning, and protect cultural and historical resources.

The plan was partially funded by a Community Conservation Partnership Program grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

For more information, please contact Kylie Daisley at the Freshwater Conservation office of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy at (724) 459-0953 ext. 115.
                                                                         

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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 5,000 volunteers and dozens of community organizations and businesses to plant and maintain more than 135 gardens and greening projects in 20 western Pennsylvania counties.

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