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…

  • Beaver River Conservation and Management Plan

    The Beaver River Conservation and Management Plan will outline an approach for implementing future conservation-oriented efforts for the Beaver River corridor in Beaver and Lawrence Counties.

  • 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!

  • Golf Course Best Management Practices

    Golf courses have the potential to become more "green" - on their greens and in everything they do - if they use an interactive, on-line "Green Toolbox" that is being developed by PEC and LandStudies,…

  • 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 Sustainable Recreation Development

    The Laurel Highlands is one of the most magnificent areas in Pennsylvania. It includes Laurel Ridge, Chestnut Ridge and scenic river gorges with whitewater adventures on both the Youghiogheny River and the Stonycreek River.…

  • Pine Creek Watershed Coalition

    PEC convened a stakeholder meeting in 2001 to discuss the issues in the Pine Creek Watershed and initiated a watershed assessment the following year. As a result, a Coalition of environmental organizations, sportsmen's groups,…

  • River Conservation Planning Initiatives

    PEC is implementing or has implemented River Conservation Plans in almost a dozen watersheds across the Commonwealth.

  • Sharing Stewardship

    PEC works with regional land trusts to help conserve riparian land and support effective stewardship efforts.