STRATEGIC PLAN
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA CONSERVANCY
Pennsylvania's First Conservancy - Founded in 1932
Introduction
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is committed to a natural environment that maintains its native diversity, resilience and beauty. Because the works of humankind must co-exist with nature, addressing the nexus between humans and nature is central to the purpose of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. In fact, our focus on connecting people to the natural world makes us rather unique among the broad spectrum of conservation and environmental organizations.
- We connect people with nature through ecological research, watershed restoration and land conservation projects that involve individuals and organizations.
- We connect people with nature by helping community volunteers plant urban gardens and green spaces.
- At Fallingwater, we connect people with nature by showing that human activities can exist in harmony with nature.
Reconnecting people to the natural heritage of our region is critical to successful conservation work. Increasingly, WPC's role will be to teach, assist and facilitate local groups in their community conservation efforts. Inspiration and empowerment of others, while continuing our established conservation programs, will enable WPC and its partners to protect the places we care about in western Pennsylvania.
WPC's MISSION STATEMENT
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy's mission is to save the places we care about by connecting people to the natural world.
There are five Strategic Drivers that guide Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in all its programs.
• Conserve the natural and cultural heritage of western Pennsylvania
• Inspire a conservation ethic through outreach and volunteer action
• Collaborate with communities
• Advance public policy and public funding for conservation
• Maintain a healthy organization
STRATEGIC DRIVER I
Conserve the Natural and Cultural Heritage of Western Pennsylvania Western Pennsylvania Conservancy's land conservation work, biological biodiversity research, watershed restoration, and community greening project, along with the preservation of Fallingwater, has a profound impact on the landscape and communities in our region. We will implement innovative and effective land conservation strategies that are realistic within the economic and political climate of the organization faces in the future. We will increase our work to inventory native species and their habitats, and help facilitate the use of this information in regional planning and land use decisions. We will work with local communities to advance the connection between healthy landscapes and healthy sustainable communities. In addition, we will continue to advance the preservation and public presentation of Fallingwater as a symbol of human activity working in harmony with nature.
GOALS
A. Protect, restore, study and inventory land, water and living resources
- Protect 100,000 Acres by 2010 using a diversity of tools
- Advance land conservation attuned to a 21st century market place
- Apply biological diversity information to regional planning and restoration
- Identify and interpret biological elements in the region to help safeguard species and their habitats, and to acquire the most critical habitats for protection
B. Preserve special places where the natural and historic heritage of western Pennsylvania can be experienced
- Continue to assist in preserving important regional assets
- Preserve Fallingwater and its surrounding landscape
- Implement the Fallingwater landscape master plan by 2005
- Expand Fallingwater's education programs to focus on the connections between conservation, preservation and design
- Improve the experience of children visiting Fallingwater
C. Strengthen the vibrancy of communities
- Assist grass-roots conservation organizations, individuals and agencies to restore 500 miles of streams by 2010
- Partner with communities to advance the connection between healthy landscapes and healthy, sustainable communities
- Increase the number of communities participating in community conservation projects
STRATEGIC DRIVER II
Inspire a Conservation Ethic Through Outreach and Volunteer Action
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy believes that the attitudes and actions of local people working within their own communities are vital to achieving the best possible environment across our region. In addition to our traditional conservation programs, our expanding work in education, outreach, and ecological research are all directed toward helping individuals and organizations improve the environment. The Conservancy has developed a corps of more than 5,000 volunteers who plant and maintain community gardens, guide and promote the public tour program at Fallingwater, advocate and promote WPC's mission and activities, and monitor and assist in the maintenance of WPC's land holdings. We seek to engage additional volunteers of all ages from the diverse community in enhancing, improving and protecting human communities and natural resources.
GOALS
A. Increase individual involvement in meaningful conservation work
- Expand outreach to engage and involve our region's diverse human community, with special focus on people of color
- Expand volunteer corps to 7,500 by 2010
B. Foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the rich heritage of Western Pennsylvania
• Weave an educational component through all WPC programs and activities
STRATEGIC DRIVER III
Collaborate with Communities
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has formed literally hundreds of strategic partnerships to leverage our human and financial resources to realize a more significant impact on meaningful conservation. With an extensive menu of technical services, we are able to customize the support to address specific needs as well as compliment and advance existing skills. By helping community groups accomplish important projects, the local citizens take ownership and what results is a sense of pride, confidence, and long-term stewardship. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy's long-term goal is to promote and help support the development of the skills and resources that are fundamental for establishing community self-sufficiency and long-term conservation sustainability. Particular focus will be on forming strategic partnerships with other conservation groups to acquire large land parcels, provide technical assistance to watershed restoration and protection, work with universities to advance WPC's science work, and with local individuals and community groups to accomplish greening projects.
GOALS
A. Help communities restore and enhance local resources
• Provide technical assistance to communities
B. Build effective partnerships
• Maximize impact through strategic community partnerships
C. Create a dialogue in and between communities where WPC has programs
• Develop an understanding of community culture and shared values
• Seek ways to engage new community volunteers
STRATEGIC DRIVER IV
Advance Public Policy and Public Understanding for Conservation
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 understand that the governmental decisions that impact the mission of the Conservancy 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.
GOALS
A. Lobby to advance specific public policy and funding goals
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Apply conservation information to influence outcome of specific public policy matters that relate to WPC's mission
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Renew and replace public funds for conservation of Pennsylvania's resources and heritage
B. Expand an activated, effective and focused advocacy effort
Strategic Driver V
Maintain a Healthy Organization
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy's board and management are committed to insuring a healthy organization, which adheres to its mission and follows board-approved ethical guiding principles, including the highest standards of fiscal management and conflict of interest. WPC adheres to a management style, which advances an open flow of information, teamwork, and integration across the organization. WPC relies on its constituents for continued and active engagement and support and seeks to optimally utilize volunteers and interns to maximize capacity and to expose the general public to its programs. To remain healthy, WPC recognizes the importance of diversified revenue sources and will continue working to build individual giving, and seek revenue through entrepreneurial opportunities.
GOALS
A . Attract and retain diversified and committed leadership , staff, volunteers
• Maintain a diverse Board of Directors
• Proactively seek and maintain diverse staff of talented employees
• Strategically manage compensation and benefit programs
• Advance teamwork and integration of program areas across the organization
• Provide opportunities for enhancing skills and abilities of staff
B. Continue to undertake regular strategic planning
C. Expand the variety of funding sources
• Increase revenue from individuals, corporations and planned giving
• Identify new grant/contract opportunities with federal, state and local agencies
• Develop flexible programming and staff to address volatile government funding
D. Adhere to conservative financial planning
- Continue to balance operating costs and revenue and identify efficiencies
- Engage all staff in identifying revenue sources and cost reductions
- Maintain a realistic business plan
- Grow the WPC endowment
- Cover all expenses on grant and contract funded work as well as on real estate transactions and maximize revenue opportunities on real estate holdings
- Dispose of land holdings not critical to the WPC mission.
E. Increase entrepreneurial activities in all program areas
• Continue to seek opportunities to provide professional services
• Increase revenue opportunities through the World Wide Web
• Increase revenue from tourism opportunities
• Attract a broader and more diverse audience to Fallingwater
• Increase revenue from mission-related product development
F. Communicate effectively to engage constituencies
• Develop a comprehensive communication plan
• Expand e communications
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