On Thursday, December 6, 2007, the Westmoreland County Commissioners – Tom Balya, Tom Ceraso, and Phil Light – passed a resolution creating the Westmoreland Land Trust.

What is a land trust?

A land trust is a local organization that conserves land of special value to the community, such as land that contributes to the region’s quality of life because of its scenic, recreational, environmental, historical, or cultural qualities.

Why did we need a land trust in Westmoreland County

Land use plays a crucial role in determining the future of a region.

Citizens throughout the county have stated that their number one priority is to retain the predominant rural character of Westmoreland County.*

The primary land use objective in Westmoreland County, as identified in the comprehensive plan, is to provide a balance between development and preservation. The land trust will be an important addition to the organizations that are already actively working to help achieve that balance because, on the conservation side, the trust has the potential to preserve a wide variety of types of land – such as land that offers scenic vistas, tracts that help to create larger greenway corridors through the county, and sensitive areas that are under pressure for development.

How will the trust function?

The newly formed Westmoreland Land Trust is an independent organization, directed by a board of local citizens appointed by the county commissioners. The trust will not be responsible for any local zoning decisions.

As one of its first orders of business, it will apply to the state for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. 

Who is on the land trust board?

The County Commissioners appointed the following people to the board of the land trust.  They will serve one- to three-year terms.

Betsy Aiken, Export, Westmoreland Conservancy Governor and Community Volunteer

Mark Bowers, Rostraver Township, Westmoreland Conservancy Member and Botanist

Bruce J. Corna, Jr., Washington Township, Bruce Construction LLC

Chuck Duritsa, Hempfield Township, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Regional Director (Retired) and Environmental Consultant

Carolyn Graham, Fairfield Township, Dairy Farmer, Financial Accountant and CPA Candidate

Alex Graziani, Greensburg, Executive Director, Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County

Karen Jurkovic, Greensburg, Communications Consultant specializing in conservation

R. Ted Harhai, Monessen, State Representative

Ted Kopas, Hempfield Township, Chief of Staff, Westmoreland County Commissioners

Mike Kuzemchak, Rector, Laurel Highlands Program Director, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Larry Larese, Export, Director, Westmoreland County Department of Planning

H. Lewis Lobdell, Ligonier Township, Executive VP Managing Director PNC CRC, PNC Bank

John Lohr, Norvelt, County Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency

Michael J. O’Barto, Unity Township, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Unity Township

John Pallone, New Kensington, State Representative

Tony Quadro, Stahlstown, Assistant District Manager/Technical Programs Director,
Westmoreland Conservation District

Vincent Quatrini, Jr., Unity Township, Chair, Community Foundation of Westmoreland County

Betty Reefer, Bell Township, Director, Westmoreland County Agricultural Land Preservation Program

Malcolm Sias, Unity Township, Planning Coordinator, Westmoreland County Bureau of
Parks and Recreation

Lisa Smith, Stahlstown, Ecologist and Land Stewardship Consultant

Virginia Stump, Westmoreland City, Team Leader/Area Specialist, USDA Rural Development
and member of the North Huntingdon Planning Commission

John Ward, Unity Township, Attorney at Law, Ward & Christner, P.C.

When and where are the meetings?

Meetings of the land trust will be held at the Westmoreland Conservation District headquarters, 218 Donohoe Road, Greensburg.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, at 9 a.m. This meeting will be for the general business of the land trust. Meetings are open to the public.

*Citizen input was obtained from a series of public meetings held in 2004 to gather direction for the county’s blueprint for the future, its comprehensive plan.

Mission, Vision, Values

Mission

To conserve and steward lands and waters of Westmoreland County

that harbor ecological, scenic or recreational qualities to offer

a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Vision

All Westmoreland County residents and visitors enjoy the scenic

and natural value, accessibility and quality of open space conserved.

Throughout Westmoreland County recreational land abounds,

water resources are protected, wildlife flourish, and the quality of life is high because of the continuing work of the Westmoreland Land Trust

complementing the work of like-minded entities.

Values

The Westmoreland Land Trust values the following.

• Conservation of diverse real property that is in, or in close proximity to, Westmoreland County; and

culturally, historically, ecologically, recreationally, or scenically valuable.

• Restoration, protection, and maintenance of conserved property as appropriate for its best long-term stewardship

• Partnership with public or private entities where beneficial to encourage collective effort

• Research and planning in support of conservation efforts

• Promotion and education of conservation opportunities and benefits

• Conformance with the Land Trust Standards and Practices published by the Land Trust Alliance in 2004, or as amended

Adopted May 19, 2008