Background and future direction

As part of our philosophy of bipartisan collaboration, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has deliberately sought to develop and maintain mutually respectful relations with public officials. We invite opportunities to correspond or meet with officials at various local, state and federal levels. Because of the maturity of our reputation, we are called upon to strategize with officials and be directly involved in the crafting of legislative and regulatory language.

WPC has worked with local government officials to enhance communities through greening measures; with federal officials to bring together volunteers and resources to restore degraded waterways; and with state lawmakers to secure funding to protect the best of our natural and cultural resources and open spaces. And through the years, Pennsylvania's governors have acknowledged our impact and role in the major industry of tourism—from Fallingwater, visited annually by 130,000 visitors from all over the world, to trails and open spaces throughout the region that host millions of outdoor enthusiasts.

We understand that the governmental decisions that impact the mission of WPC occur through legislation, regulations and planning. Our goal is to maximize public-private partnerships that lead to effective stewardship of the region's human, cultural, historic and natural resources.

Our public policy efforts focus on working with governmental officials and agency personnel to seek the best outcomes for such natural resource matters as the threats to our forests, the impacts of global climate change, and the protection of endangered species. We also work collaboratively on urban issues to advance greening measures as a way to help make communities attractive places to live and work. We believe the need for governmental strategies to renew communities is essential to our quality of life and must be a priority. A keener sense of attention to protecting cultural amenities in the region must be developed because clean water, community aesthetics, and future economic growth go hand-in-hand. Jobs will flow toward vital, attractive communities that can retain businesses and their employees by providing access to natural, recreational and cultural amenities. In partnership with others, WPC will:

• Advance revisions to the state Wild Resources Conservation Act and the federal Endangered Species Act, and provide science-based testimony on such regulatory documents as forest management plans to promote sound forest management, protect biodiversity and non-game species, and reduce the impacts of invasive species
• Advance amendments to the Clean Air Act, focusing on the reduction of impacts of atmospheric deposition and the minimizing of pollution that leads to global climate change
• Advance amendments to state and federal water resources legislation to ensure the best protections of the state's water quality and quantity
• Advance amendments to legislation and regulatory policies that advance sustainable community revitalization
• Advance amendments to legislation, funding opportunities and regulatory policies that wisely promote the preservation and tourism of heritage sites

Goal 2: Renew and replace public funds for conservation of Pennsylvania's resources and heritage

Background and future direction

Governmental funding is currently administered through a wide range of federal, state and local entities to advance an equally wide range of goals, including conservation, community enhancement and revitalization, and tourism. The future of some established revenue streams is tenuous; in particular, Pennsylvania's state budget, and most especially, federal funds coming to the state may be under threat. The time is ripe for the state government, in particular, to secure new funding mechanisms to augment annual appropriations.

WPC is a lead partner in the development and protection of the state Growing Greener program, funded by a tax on landfill deposits, which delivers millions of dollars to protect and restore our Commonwealth's natural resources. WPC has received significant Growing Greener funding to carryout numerous restoration and conservation projects. Continuation of the Growing Greener program is essential to WPC and other organizations working to preserve Pennsylvania's rich natural resources.

WPC also focuses on funding mechanisms such as the federal mine reclamation funding, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, the federal Transportation Enhancement programs designed to aid community revitalization strategies, and the state Elm Street and Main Street programs.

WPC works singularly and collaboratively to provide compelling arguments to the Pennsylvania governor, state legislators and federal Congressmen to protect various funding streams, and to maintain public resources to advance conservation of the region's resources and heritage.

B. Expand an activated, effective and focused advocacy effort

Goal 1: Triple WPC's active grassroots advocacy constituency to drive responsible public policy

Background and future direction

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy participates in public policy to inspire stewardship of our land, water, and cultural resources through many activities. WPC educates, informs, influences and advocates sound environmental programs, practices and decision-making on local, state and federal levels. WPC will expand the core program, and enlarge the circle of informed citizens who participate actively in public policy activities to advance WPC's mission.

Never before have citizen-activists had the communication gateways to local decision-makers, state legislators, federal congressional representatives and regulatory agencies that now exist. Leaders at each level of government are realizing the importance of public participation. WPC has the opportunity to increase its support base, and to help grassroots activists who wish to influence public policy. In particular, WPC has already had success creating opportunities for citizens to participate by providing direct testimony at the most strategic moment in annual budget processes at all governmental levels. WPC has advanced citizen participation in advocacy by building a database of email addresses of constituents wanting to participate. This enables WPC to communicate in a timely manner and at practically no cost.

What results are government's understanding and use of the public's perspectives, values, and knowledge; a more informed public; improved government; and good decisions for proposed action. It also generates greater support for government policies, programs and projects.

As a major new initiative, WPC seeks to increase its relationship with residents of the neighborhoods where we have already established our organization and our mission. Because the 5,000 resident volunteers with whom we partner have indicated their willingness to improve their communities, we believe they seek further opportunities to advance livability. WPC is investigating the worth of building a doorstep relationship with residents. The goal is to provide education, and develop an opportunity for awareness and advocacy for policies that lead to a healthier environment. The grassroots outreach will inform and educate residents about the undeniable connection between a healthy ecosystem and human health, and provide “what you can do” materials.

Following are indicators of success in meeting the strategic driver discussed in this section, “Advance public policy and public understanding for conservation:” Continued success in impacting public policies and public planning as assessed annually by board and staff Continued success in advancing public funds for land, water, forests, agriculture, community enhancement and preservation of important cultural places as assessed annually by board and staff Number of WPC volunteers advocating for responsible conservation public policy