A GROWING LEGACY
Protecting the Places that Define Westmoreland County
Every community has places that shape its identity—quiet forests, winding streams, historic landmarks, and trails where generations have made memories. These are the places that tell the story of Westmoreland County.
Since 2008, Westmoreland Land Trust has worked to ensure those places remain part of our community for generations to come. What began as a small group of volunteers has grown into a nationally accredited land trust protecting more than 740 acres across Westmoreland County.
Our work begins with conserving land, but it doesn’t end there. Every property we protect becomes a commitment to care for it in perpetuity, steward it responsibly, and ensure future generations have the opportunity to benefit from it.
BY THE NUMBERS
A Growing Conservation Legacy
Acres conserved
Properties protected
Students reached in
2025 - 2026
Onsite program
participants (2026)
Trees planted
School workshops
(2025-2026)
NATIONALLY ACCREDITED
A Commitment That Lasts Forever
When a landowner chooses to protect their property, they’re placing tremendous trust in the organization that will care for it long after they’re gone.
That’s why national accreditation matters.
Westmoreland Land Trust is proud to be among a select group of land trusts across the country that have earned accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. This distinction reflects our commitment to the highest standards of conservation, ethical governance, financial stewardship, and long-term land management.
For landowners, accreditation provides confidence that their legacy will be honored. For donors and partners, it demonstrates that every investment is managed responsibly. For our community, it represents a promise that the lands entrusted to us will remain protected forever.
Our Journey
A Timeline of Conservation
Every milestone in our history reflects the vision and generosity of people who believed Westmoreland County’s most special places were worth protecting.
2008
Westmoreland Land Trust is officially incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit organization and established in response to public interest in preserving the county’s rural heritage.
2009
2010-2020
The organization steadily grows, adding hundreds of protected acreage to its portfolio, including additions to Duff Park (96 acres) and Cedar Creek Park (49 acres).
2021
2022
2025
An additional 102 acres is acquired and added to St. Xavier Nature preserve, totaling 350 acres of contiguous protected land. The property becomes Westmoreland Land Trust’s headquarters.
2025-2026
Capital investments begin transforming Meadowlark into a destination for outdoor nature education.
2026
National Land Trust accreditation is achieved. The 23-acre Turtle Creek Gorge property is permanently protected.
CONSERVATION THROUGH PARTNERSHIP
Working Together to Protect More Land
Conservation is never the work of one person or one organization.
Some projects begin with a landowner who wants to preserve a family legacy. Others grow through the leadership of volunteers, the generosity of donors, or the support of foundations and public agencies. Every successful project reflects people coming together around a shared vision.
That spirit of collaboration has become one of Westmoreland Land Trust’s greatest strengths.
Turtle Creek Gorge
Protecting 23 acres of the Turtle Creek Gorge along the Westmoreland Heritage Trail required nearly two years of collaboration among neighboring landowners, conservation organizations like Murrysville Area Watershed Association, & philanthropic partners. Together, we protected a remarkable section of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail.
St. Xavier Nature Preserve
The gift of St. Xavier by the Sisters of Mercy created far more than a new preserve. Through partnerships with McAuley Ministries, Carlow Laboratory School, St. Xavier Academy alumni, and still with the Sisters today, the property continues to serve as a place where history, education, and conservation come together in meaningful ways.
Meadowlark Nature & Art Park
Meadowlark continues to evolve through the shared investment of foundations, neighbors, volunteers, local school districts, and community organizations. In 2026, Meadowlark served as the culmination of a year-long partnership with Jeannette City School District, where 4th grade students brought their nature journaling studies to life in the field.
ABOUT THE PRESERVE
A Living Landscape
Every year, thousands of children visit our preserves, participate in school programs, or discover nature through their local library. Families gather for Firefly Fest, volunteers restore trails, and community members explore forests they may never have known existed.
These experiences create something lasting. They foster curiosity, build appreciation for the natural world, and inspire future conservationists who will continue caring for these places long after we’re gone.
STEWARDSHIP IN ACTION
Caring for the Land in Perpetuity
Protecting land is only the first chapter of our story.
Long after a property is conserved, our responsibility continues. Trails require maintenance. Forests need thoughtful management. Historic buildings deserve care. Wildlife habitat benefits from restoration. Volunteers invest countless hours to ensure every preserve remains healthy, welcoming, and resilient.
This ongoing commitment is known as stewardship, and it’s one of the most important promises we make to every landowner who entrusts us with their property.
In 2022, Westmoreland Land Trust planted 2,300 trees at St. Xavier Nature Preserve and an additional 1,200 will be planted in 2026. In 2026, over 100 acres of land will be transformed into native wildflower and grasslands to provide habitat for local endangered birds and pollinators. Non-native plants are regularly removed to give native species a chance.
LOOKING AHEAD
Building on Our Momentum
The need for land protection continues to grow, and so does our vision.
In the years ahead, Westmoreland Land Trust will continue protecting important landscapes, expanding environmental education, restoring native habitats, making public access improvements, and strengthening partnerships throughout the region. New trails, additional conserved properties, enhanced public access, and innovative educational opportunities will help ensure even more people can experience the benefits of protected land. While our organization has grown significantly since 2008, we believe the most exciting chapters are still being written.
OUR FUNDING PARTNERS
Investing in Westmoreland Land Trust
Every acre protected and every educational program offered is made possible through the generosity of foundations, government agencies, businesses, and individual donors who believe in protecting Westmoreland County’s natural heritage.
Their support strengthens our ability to conserve land, steward it responsibly, and create meaningful opportunities for people to connect with nature.
