Western Pennsylvania's Conservancy: A Case Study In Success

"It is not a reach to say that many of the places Western Pennsylvanians treasure would not be the same -- and in some cases, would not be at all -- if not for the conservancy. With a charter that dates to 1932, the conservancy's land acquisitions formed the basis for a half-dozen of the region's most popular state parks, wilderness and natural areas, and numerous additions to the state's forest and game land holdings. Its 10 founders included men of wealth and influence with an environmental vision unusual for that time. Success was aided by the expertise of early members, including Botanist Otto Jennings (later to helm the Carnegie Museum), who introduced the idea that the highest and best use for some land may be no use at all."