Colcom Foundation has long stood as a dedicated champion of environmental stewardship in western Pennsylvania, focusing on land conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable management of the region’s land and water resources. In 2006, this commitment reached a pivotal milestone with a landmark $2 million grant to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC). This funding launched the multi-year initiative “Waters for Life – A Blueprint for Conservation,” which strengthened WPC’s watershed program and established a foundational framework for lasting ecological protection across the region.
Central to the project was the development of WPC’s Conservation Blueprint, a science-driven strategic map that prioritizes high-biodiversity areas using 25 years of data from the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. By combining “coarse filters” for broad ecosystems—like expansive forests and streams—with “fine filters” for rare species and habitats, the Blueprint spans four key ecoregions in western Pennsylvania. It highlights unfragmented forest patches, priority streams, biological diversity areas, and vital ecological linkages, guiding targeted land protection decisions to maximize long-term impact. The original grant supported over 10 high-impact projects across major basins, including the Allegheny River, Juniata River, and Laurel Highlands, emphasizing restoration, pollution reduction, habitat enhancement, and community partnerships.
These efforts evolved from planning and assessments into concrete outcomes on the ground. Notable examples include the Little Mahoning Creek Restoration, which stabilized streambanks, removed dams for improved fish passage, planted riparian buffers, and monitored water quality; the Public Lands/Healthy Watersheds Project, which upgraded culverts, removed barriers, and supported coldwater fisheries research; Forest Bank initiatives that engaged hundreds of private landowners to protect thousands of acres through sustainable practices; and Clarion River work addressing acid mine drainage while documenting recovering species like mussels and hellbenders. Collectively, the projects leveraged over $4.2 million in additional funding, opened new regional offices, produced basin-wide action plans, and safeguarded more than 4,000 acres of forestland, while advancing innovative research and partnerships.
The 2006 grant from Colcom Foundation transformed WPC’s watershed conservation, creating a model that continues to guide efforts today. Colcom’s ongoing support—exemplified by a recent $1 million grant in 2025 for upper Allegheny watershed land protection—underscores an enduring partnership. Together, they ensure Pennsylvania’s headwaters remain vibrant, delivering clean water, resilient ecosystems, and benefits for communities downstream amid mounting development pressures. This collaboration demonstrates the power of strategic investment in preserving the region’s natural heritage.