Celebrating Conservation
Since 1991
Our Vision
To preserve natural, rural, and historic landscapes for Nature’s benefit and the enrichment of future generations.
Our Mission
Westmoreland Conservancy preserves, enhances, and connects land, habitat, and green space through acquisition, stewardship, and cooperation with local communities and other organizations.
Contact Us:
Westmoreland Conservancy
1 Priority Lane, Unit 446
Murrysville, PA 15668
​
724.325.5523
​
Interested in attending an event?
Please let us know by filling out the registration at
www.westmorelandconservancy.org/event-registration
We always look forward to seeing new faces and familiar friends!
Upcoming Activities:
Earth Day Work Day 04/20
Annual Meeting & Election 04/24
Bird Watching at Morosini 05/19
Eta Aquarids Star Party 05/25
Enchanted Forest 06/01
Summer Solstice Walk 06/20
Watch for our 2024 events
See our calendar!
PLUS
Birdwatching
Year-round Geocaching
2024 Monthly Meetings:
Delmont Public Library 7PM
Apr 24
May 22
June 26
July 24
Birdwatching at the
Morosini Reserve
5/19 at 8AM
May is peak bird migration time in this region. The Morosini Reserve is a great place to observe some of beautiful creatures stopping off for food and rest along their journey.
Join us for a morning walk with Alex Busato to see the birds and enjoy the Morosini Reserve at 8AM Sunday, May 19. This walk is limited to 20 people to keep it manageable.
​
We'll be back at 5PM for a casual walk around the reserve to see what birds will be active.
​
Register FREE: www.westmorelandconservancy.org/event-registration
Annual Members' Meeting &
Elections
Wednesday, April 24
Westmoreland Conservancy’s Annual Members’ Meeting and Elections are scheduled for Wednesday, April 24th, 2024. The meeting will be held at the Delmont Public Library and on Zoom. Should you choose to attend via Zoom, please send an email to contact@westmorelandconservancy.org so that we can send you the link.
The Members’ Meeting will open at 7pm with a review of the proposed slate for the election of our Board of Governors. This election is by our general membership, so please plan to attend. Your voice is important to us. At the close of the Members Meeting, the Organizational Meeting will commence with the Board members electing the 2024 officers. The April Board meeting will then come to order.
2024 Earth Day Work Day at
Morosini Reserve
4/20 at 9AM
Due to the inordinate amount of rain, PSR is inaccessible for our Earth Day plans. SO.....
​
Join us at 9AM Saturday 4/20/24 at the Morosini Reserve UPT Lot
​
We will be seeding the pollinator field and planting some shrubs
Park at the end of Morosini Farm Rd at the UPT parking lot. Bring gloves, rakes and a shovel or two.
Community service hours are available and encouraged.
Winter Solstice Walk
at the Morosini Reserve
Tomer Hot Chocolate Hike
w/Murrysville Recreation
Geocaching
with
Westmoreland Conservancy
https://www.geocaching.com/p/default.aspx?tab=geocaches#profilepanel
Westmoreland Conservancy has always been happy to host geocaches and events at our reserves. we have cache trails designed to help explore unique features and areas of the properties. Some are even educational!
​
We invite you to get out and enjoy our reserves, and if you have a suggestion for or would like to help create a new cache trail on one of the properties not already boasting one, please reach out!
Westmoreland Conservancy reserves are privately owned lands that are available to the public for permitted use
-
Dogs are to be on-leash, and waste is to be removed
-
NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES aside from PEDESTRIAN mobility aids
-
PLEASE observe Leave No Trace sensibilities and take out out anything you bring in
-
DO NOT leave trash at the reserves
​
Birdwatching
at the
Morosini Reserve
There is always an incredible variety of birds to observe at the Morosini Reserve.
Why?
Because the 183-acre reserve boasts diverse habitat areas. You'll experience a shaded pond, dense woodlands, open fields, and edge habitat all within a 30-minute walk. if you take your time and observe closely, you'll see and hear all SORTS of birds, both migratory and local residents!
One never tires of seeing a beautiful cardinal or bluebird, but an indigo bunting, yellowthroat or cedar waxwing is an exciting rush!
As always, you are invited to enjoy the reserve even without a guided event. Just please, leave no trace.
American Woodcock
Enchanted Evening
Firefly Walk
Saturday, July 27
Another summer evening walk... A Family-Friendly Firefly walk. Who can resist a smile when seeing these magically glowing little bugs? We don’t catch them, but marvel at their light
show. And who knows.... There may be some pretty magical sights along the trail as well!
Join us at 8:30PM at the Universal Pedestrian Trailhead Kiosk for an evening walk along the trail to the pond and around to the fields. The longer you stay, the more fireflies you’ll see mingling with the fairies. The moon should be reasonably bright, being a not-quite-half-full crescent moon.
Afterward, we'll gather at the lower parking lot to watch the Delta Aquarids meteor shower (Star Party!)
Share YOUR images from the reserves with us! Visit our Facebook page
Westmoreland Conservancy is an all-volunteer, private 501(c) 3 non-profit organization committed to conservation. We are not affiliated with the town of Murrysville, nor with Westmoreland County. We do not receive taxpayer monies. Our organization is funded by our donors.
Star Parties
Summer Schedule
We love sitting around the campfire and looking at the night sky.... Especially when we can do it with friends at the Morosini Reserve around a campfire at parking lot #1. Bring your own chairs or blanket and be sure to have tick repellent. You are welcome to bring your own telescopes and we invite local astronomy groups to join us.
​
These Star Parties are weather-dependent.
Cloudy, rainy evenings are obviously not great conditions for observing the night sky. Unfortunately, EVERY scheduled Star Party was rained out from our 2023 calendar, so it is with great optimism that we put out this list of gatherings to take place at 8:30PM at Morosini parking lot #1:
​
Saturday, 5/25, Eta Aquarids
Friday, 7/5, New Moon Sky Watch
Saturday, 7/27, Delta Aquarids
Saturday, 8/10, Perseids
Sunday, 9/8, Saturn @ Opposition
Wednesday, 9/18, Supermoon & Partial Lunar Eclipse
Enchanted Forest at
the Morosini Reserve Saturday, June 1
11AM - 1PM
Westmoreland Conservancy invites you to join us at the Morosini Reserve from 11AM- 1PM Saturday, June 1st.
Find fairy houses and troll huts in the woods. Learn about the mysterious magic of Nature! Discover all sorts of cool things!
Join us at the UPT lot at the end of Morosini Farm Court. Come dressed as your favorite fairy, sprite or woodlands creature!
We'll make a fun craft for everyone to take home! www.westmorelandconservancy.org/event-registration
Summer Solstice Walk
at the Morosini Reserve
Thursday, 6/20, 8:30pm
The Summer Solstice is the longest day and shortest night of the year. What better way to observe this than to enjoy a magical evening outside? Join us at 8:30PM at the Universal Pedestrian Trailhead for an evening walk to the pond and around to the field trails. The moon will be very nearly full, so the walk should be well-illuminated!
Register FREE: www.westmorelandconservancy.org/event-registration
About
Westmoreland Conservancy preserves, enhances and connects land, habitat and green space through acquisition, stewardship, and cooperation with local communities and other organizations.
Our vision is to preserve natural, rural, and historic landscapes for Nature's benefit and the enrichment of future generations. Since 1991 Westmoreland Conservancy has protected more than 600 acres of land.
Westmoreland Conservancy is devoted to conservation of land in Westmoreland County. We are an accredited 501c-3 non-profit organization.
westmorelandconservancy.org generously hosted by donation
Get Involved
Becoming a volunteer provides a unique opportunity to contribute directly to protecting our region’s clean waters, natural areas, and sustainable local economies now and for future generations. You play an important role in conserving the waters, meadows, and woodlands of your community. You will meet wonderful people, too! Volunteering at the Conservancy is productive work, and it’s fun!
Tell us what you would like to do: stewardship; special events; hikes; fundraising; website; newsletters/email news... contact us at the email address or phone number above!
