Helping People Use Resources Wisely

Stable soils…clean streams…healthy forests…productive farms…sustainable communities.

For 60 years, the Westmoreland Conservation District has been promoting the thoughtful, wise use of the natural resources we all share.

The District’s offices and education center are in an historic barn that has been adapted with a variety of energy-saving and conservation materials.

The organization's most recent major project – GreenForge – is the first green rehabilitation of a commercial building in Westmoreland County.  GreenForge also demonstrates a variety of innovative conservation, alternative energy, and green building features, including: a roof planted with living green plants, solar power, geothermal heat, and recycled building materials.  More About The District

Calendar of Events

January - May 2009

Your guide to upcoming workshops, conferences and special events sponsored by the Westmoreland Conservation District and its conservation partners.

downloadable PDF

Please note: GIS workshop on January 6 is filled.

Contractors' Workshop:

Commercial Building and

Highway Construction BMPs

Friday, January 23, 2009

Westmoreland Conservation District

218 Donohoe Road, Greensburg

7:30 a.m. = registration and breakfast

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon = workshop

Looking for information on Best Management Practices for

controlling erosion and managing stormwater on highway or commercial sites?

This workshop can help.

It will address:

• proper installation of water bars, filter bags, and stream crossings
• erosion controls for large construction sites
• the use of native plants, and
• low-impact development.

Specific topics will include:

• "Construction Site Plan and Sequence"
• "Stream Crossing Installation"
• "Stormwater BMP Construction and Successful Planting"
• "Coordinating Pre-construction Meetings with Agencies and Municipalities."

Participants will receive:

• a copy of the "Typical Best Management Practices for Conservation Sites" manual, and
• a certificate of completion.

Cost: $20, includes breakfast and manual

Space is limited and registration is required.

Contact Christie at 724-837-5271, ext. 210 or christie@wcdpa.com by January 16, 2009.

Registration Form (downloadable PDF)

The Lauffer family, whose ancestor Peter is the earliest known owner of the District’s barn, recently gifted us with a bronze plaque that tells the barn’s story.

The plaque was installed at the District’s main entrance and dedicated in mid-August.

Helping People Use

Resources Wisely

Click here to read the District’s 2007 Annual Report.

Attention Farmers

Pennsylvania Water Quality Action Packet for Agriculture

A new, self- assessment and planning tool for water quality protection under the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law.

Downloadable PDF

1.12 MG

Westmoreland County Conservation Directory

2008-2009

A listing of more than 100 people, organizations and agencies dedicated to the conservation, restoration and wise use of our county's natural resources. Published as a service of the Westmoreland Conservation District

Downloadable PDF

526 KB

Thank you, omnova employees,

For a Day of Caring

OMNOVA Solutions employees Doug Phillips and Roger Sidehammer (l-r) remove the existing stormwater trail signs to prepare for the installation of new ones as part of the United Way’s “Day of Caring” on September 10.

Other OMNOVA Solutions employees -- Debbie Baker, Karen Dittman, Roy Hall, Joe Little, Frank Raneri, Mike Robosky, Cindy Obruba, Charlie Yuhas, and Sue Zinkan – also donated their wide range of talents and incredible energies to the District that day.

They worked tirelessly at both the barn and the GreenForge building to paint parking lines and the handicapped ramp railing, weed shrub beds and plant day lilies, fix the water pump, and secure parking bumpers with rebar.

THANK YOU, one and all!

For more information on volunteer opportunities with the District, contact Mimi Thomas-Brooker at mimi@wcdpa.com or 724-837-5271.

See our photo gallery for more photos from A Day of Caring.