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Westmoreland
Conservation District
Serving
Westmoreland County
Pennsylvania
218 Donohoe Road
Greensburg, PA 15601
(724) 837-5271
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The District created a "Hall of Honor" in 2003 as a way to permanently recognize the men and women who have made significant and long-term contributions to the conservation ethic here in Westmoreland County. Plaques honoring each inductee are displayed in the main meeting room at the District's headquarters.
Note: Induction is made posthumously. |
Hall of Honor
2003
Gilbert J. "Gib" Hutter
Pioneer Conservationist
Gilbert J. "Gib" Hutter, of Mt. Pleasant Township, was a pioneer in using modern conservation practices on his dairy farm and inspiring others to do the same on farms and other open spaces throughout the region. As a Director of the Westmoreland Conservation District for 24 years (starting in 1965), he served as Vice Chairman and Chairman. Hundreds of landowners became official "Cooperators" with the District in conserving the land and water during his tenure. Hutter led in creating and implementing the District's first master plan and was instrumental in the installation of the Jacobs Creek flood control and prevention project that protects Scottdale and Everson. He helped create Donohoe Center, housing various agriculture groups and was able to expand the District's involvement with many local organizations involved in conservation and farming. He will be remembered for his love of the land and his willingness to convert that love into constructive labor. |
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Hall of Honor
2004
Paul Heyworth
Promoter of Thought & Action
Paul Heyworth, born and raised on a farm in New England, settled in Greensburg, PA during the early 1960s to raise his family. As a talented newspaperman whose niche was the editorial side, Paul got thousands of people thinking and talking about conservation. Friendly and bold, he delighted in sparking lively discussions about conservation issues and ethics. He raised hard questions, challenged core beliefs, and championed new perspectives. Paul served the Westmoreland Conservation District as Vice Chairman from 1968-1970 and as an Associate Director from 1975-2004. For the District, he promoted a strong, positive media relationship and the development of professional communication tools. His work helped create new conservation advocates, generate financial support, and create public policies that benefited the Westmoreland Conservation District and districts across Pennsylvania. His passion for conservation and the environment energized others to take action to promote stable soil, clean streams, productive farms, healthy forests, and sustainable communities. |
Hall of Honor
2005
Elwood Leslie
Professional Management
Elwood Leslie set a course for the Westmoreland Conservation District that has remained relevant for more than three decades. As the first full-time employee hired to lead the young organization, Elwood created and built the core conservation programs the District continues to be best known for – erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, and education. During Elwood’s tenure (1970-1984), many of the major conservation initiatives we now take for granted first took shape, including the Clean Streams Act and the Jacobs Creek Flood Control Project. Elwood also helped to launch several local watershed associations, and he created one of the first Environmental Information Centers in the region. With his genial style and tireless energy, Elwood was a very effective ambassador for conservation. He often was invited to speak at national conferences, and is even credited with helping to organize a conservation district in the western US. Under his guidance, the Westmoreland Conservation District won its first Goodyear award, recognizing it as the best conservation district in the nation (1977). |
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