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Southwest

Pittsburgh is defined by its riverfronts, while the surrounding countryside is defined by river-carved gorges and the Allegheny Mountains.  This rebirth of the community flowed from the rebirth of the rivers, once little more than backalleys of industry.  The Pennsylvania Environmental Council has been an active leader in this transformation.

Southwest Programs

  • Allegheny Riverfronts Project
    Allegheny County's riverfronts are destinations for its citizens and visitors. They provide recreation, conservation, and access opportunities while maintaining their place as important drivers in the region's industrial, commercial, and residential economies. The Allegheny County Riverfronts Project provides overall planning and coordination for implementation of recreation, conservation, and access. PEC works closely with Allegheny County, Friends of the Riverfront and other partner organizations to implement specific projects along the riverfronts.
  • Climate Change Roadmap for Pennsylvania
    Stakeholder-driven process produces 38 recommendations for Pennsylvania action -- we're a big part of the problem, we should be a big part of the solution!
  • Green Infrastructure
    PEC is a leader in promoting the use of Green Infrastructure as a way to manage the growing stormwater runoff problem across the state.
  • Land Conservation Initiatives
    PEC works with communities, landowners and land trusts to conserve properties along the thousands of miles of shoreline in Western Pennsylvania to protect water quality and maintain both natural and working landscapes.
  • Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative
    The goal the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative is to create a sustainable regional economy based on our natural resources and links between communities and these resources. Seven Conservation Landscape Initiatives across the state are creating a new model for how to conserve our most special places.
  • Ohiopyle Joint Master Plan and Implementation Strategy
    Helpful Reports Posted; landmark project to address sustainability for small community surrounded by popular State Park.
  • Pittsburgh Climate Initiative
    PEC is a member of this community campaign to cut global warming by offering a series of monthly actions, all with little or no cost, that families and individuals can take that will make a measureable reduction in the heat-trapping gases they produce
  • Portal to the Point: A Design Ideas Exploration
    As DCNR and partners work to renovate Pittsburgh's Point State Park, PEC is leading the efforts to design the entrance to the park, including the Portal Bridge and Reflecting Pond area.
  • River Conservation Planning Initiatives
    PEC is implementing or has implemented River Conservation Plans in almost a dozen watersheds across the Commonwealth.
  • River Town Program
    The Pennsylvania Environment Council has launched an asset-based community development initiative, the River Town Program, to assist distressed communities bordering a navigable river to develop an alternative economic engine—outdoor recreation-- to help revitalize these small communities.

Past Accomplishments