A New Chapter for WLT – Leadership News

After eight years as the Executive Director of the Westmoreland Land Trust, Betsy Aiken has decided to step down at the end of this year so that she can spend more time with friends and family. During her tenure, Betsy oversaw numerous land conservation projects, including the creation of the Schwarz Future Nature and Art Park in Jeannette and the St. Xavier Nature Preserve in Latrobe. She also instituted a dynamic nature education program for public schools and libraries, and enhanced the land trust’s operation with the addition of an exceptional professional staff.

The WLT Board of Directors has begun a formal search for Betsy’s replacement which will continue through the fall. For more information about the position and how to apply, click on our Executive Director Job Posting link.  And please join us in wishing Betsy a very well-deserved retirement.

The 2025 Westmoreland Ramble is Now Available!

Every year, the Westmoreland Land Trust in partnership with Westmoreland County Libraries creates and distributes a free self-guided tour for a different scenic part of Westmoreland County.  This year, our Ramble takes us to Old Huntingdon Township.  When Westmoreland County formed in 1773, the townships we now know as North Huntingdon, Sewickley, East Huntingdon and South Huntingdon were part of an older and much larger Huntingdon Township.  Our ramble will explore this corner of the county with its historic links to the Lincoln Highway, General Braddock’s Military Road, the Great American Passage hiking trail and the Bell’s Mill covered bridge.

Copies of the free self-guided tour booklet can be downloaded here or picked up at selected local libraries as well as at the Norwin Historical Society in Irwin or at the Westmoreland Historical Society in Hannastown.

You are invited …

To enjoy live streams of the colony of big brown bats in the Schwarz barn (now harder to see!)  These have been provided courtesy of WLT Board member Bill Powers of PixCams, and are available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPiEm-ZPK-s.

Application for Land Trust Alliance Accreditation

Westmoreland Land Trust (WLT) is applying for national accreditation with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission (LTAC).  If awarded, this distinction will certify that WLT meets the highest standards for excellence, ethical standards, and conservation permanence.  As of November 2025 WLT is completing the documentation and other effort associated with documentation, and anticipates the decision of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission early in 2026.

Thank you

Thanks so much to everyone who contributes assistance or funding to the Westmoreland Land Trust!  It is your support and assistance that make our work possible, and we are deeply grateful.

Westmoreland Nature Backpacks

To help you explore nature in Westmoreland County, WLT AmeriCorps Service Member Loree Speedy led a project to enable you to borrow a Westmoreland Nature Backpack, available throughout the Westmoreland Library Network (WLN).

There are different backpacks for exploring Streams & Forests, Birds, and Flowers & Pollinators.

WLT created the backpacks in partnership with the WLN to make high quality tools, materials, and nature guides available for  children’s and families’ use.

STEM Workshops Available for Public Schools

The WLT is excited to offer excellent STEM nature workshops free of charge to Westmoreland County public schools, to the extent that funding permits.  Dr. Paula Purnell, our Coordinator of Educational Programming, has developed Earthworm Wonders; Microgreen Gardeners; Feathered Friends; and Bees, Bugs & Butterflies workshops under Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program featuring hands-on learning opportunities.

Natural Areas book

The Westmoreland Bird and Nature Club offers an excellent book, “Natural Areas in and around Westmoreland County.”  It is the combined work of over 35 members of the WB&N Club, the Audubon Society and local naturalists, most of whom are self-taught and have a love for the local Pennsylvania landscape.  It was edited by long time club leader Dick Byers, and is a guide to 98 natural areas within 35 miles of Greensburg.

The book has something for everyone—hikers, birders, wildflower enthusiasts, and history buffs. A little bit of the history of each site is included, as well as a list of birds and plants that the visitor is likely to see. Scenic views and can’t-miss features are given. Even for those who are new to exploring nature, or looking for a short excursion for the kids, the book is an excellent resource.

If you would like to see the book, each of the member libraries of the Westmoreland Library Network has a copy.

Green by Design

Here is a story map about our project, Green by Design, to evaluate land across Westmoreland County.  Please contact us or stop by for a brochure about the project, or to learn more about our work.  The story map was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation and Partnerships Program Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, through Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Laurel Highlands mini grant program.

Many thanks to our Educational Improvement Tax Credit Sponsors