OUR MISSION
Connecting People to Nature Through Hands-on Learning
Westmoreland Land Trust believes lasting conservation begins with connection. Through hands-on experiences and outdoor learning opportunities, our education programs help people of all ages discover the natural world while building a deeper appreciation for the lands and wildlife that make Westmoreland County special.
From nature walks and family programs to school partnerships and club events, our programs serve thousands of children and adults each year and inspire lifelong environmental stewardship.
Students reached in 2025 - 2026
School workshops delivered
School district
partners
Additional onsite
programs annually
ONSITE PROGRAMS
Year-round Programs at Four Preserves
Programs run throughout the year at Meadowlard Nature & Art Park, St. Xavier Nature Preserve, Twin Lakes Meadow, and Ackermann Nature Preserve — brought to life with partners, community groups, and local experts.
Volunteer Days
Hands-on conservation work: tree plantings, trail maintenance, and habitat restoration.
Nature Night: Owls & Bats
Bird, Flora & Watershed Walks
Guided walks through the seasons to learn to ID and enjoy wildflowers, birds, trees and more.
Firefly Fest
An evening celebration at St. Xavier with firefly walks, flash patterns, crafts, and glow-in-the-dark science.
Nature Journaling
Nature Make & Takes
Weekly drop-in crafts and activities at Meadowlark and St. Xavier every summer.
Summer Feature
Summer Nature Make & Take Days
Free, drop-in weekly programs at Meadowlark and St. Xavier throughout June and July. Kids and families explore birds, pollinators, wildflowers, amphibians, and more through hands-on crafts and guided discovery.
No registration required — connect with nature at your own pace.
SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS
Standards-aligned Nature Education for K-6 Classrooms
Programs are provided at no cost when funding is available. Priority goes to districts serving economically disadvantaged communities with limited access to nature education resources & outdoor learning opportunities.
Earthworm Wonders
Explore earthworm anatomy and behavior while observing live worms and learning why decomposers matter.
Microgreen Gardeners
Feathered Friends
Bugs & Buds
Nature Journaling
Explore the natural world through words, pictures, and numbers while strengthening essential scientific skills such as observation, inquiry, and documentation.
Immersion Field Trips
Meadowlark, St. Xavier & Ackermann preserves
FIELD TRIPS
Immersive Outdoor Learning, Beyond the Classroom
Guided Nature HIkes
Wildlife Observation
Ecology Investigations
Nature Journaling
Conservation Education
Art and Nature Connections
FOR EDUCATORS
Professional Development & Act 48 Opportunities
Cross-curricular nature education
Outdoor learning strategies
Place-based education
Nature journaling
Environmental literacy
Schoolyard habitat projects
LIBRARY WORKSHOPS & NATURE BACKPACKS
Nature Learning that Travels - from Library Shelves to your Backyard
Westmoreland Nature Backpacks
Sixty-eight (68) backpacks are available across 20 Westmoreland County libraries for families to ‘check out’ for personal use. There are three different themed backpacks – bird watching, bug exploration, and stream discovery, all containing high quality tools and field guides for your nature adventures.
Library Workshops
Hands-on, accessible nature programs delivered directly into local communities at Westmoreland County libraries. Demand often exceeds capacity — workshops are scheduled based on staff and funding availability.