Our History
During the late 90’s Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) completed construction of the wetland passive treatment system at the Tanoma Discharge. Before treatment this was a major abandoned mine drainage (AMD) discharge impacting Crooked Creek. Since the DEP is not allowed to own property, they asked for some entity to step forth to take ownership. When no local organization could do this, the Southern Allegheny Conservancy from Bedford rescued the project.
A similar situation occurred with the Waterworks Conservation Area Project along Two Lick Creek. After that people in the Senior Environmental Corps, the Ken Sink Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy began to see the need for a local conservancy.
An exploratory meeting regarding a conservancy was held at Rustic Lodge in October 2003. From this meeting Evergreen Conservancy was formed.
Accomplishments Since
- 2004 – Become incorporated and obtained 501c3 status in March.
- 2005 – Formed committees; got organized; began projects; held informational programs; built a member ship base; created a web site.
- 2006 -Developed a Strategic Plan which helped us identify what our priorities and goals are and how to move forward to get that work done; Acquired our first property (Tanoma); Continued working on projects; offered informational programs; applied for new grants; supported the Natural Heritage Inventory, learned a lot!
- 2007 – Moved forward with projects; offered informational programs; insured the Tanoma site; awarded a Dominion Grant; hired an accountant for reports and audits; attended the PALTA Conference; put out quarterly newsletters; and cleaned up the Hoodlebug trail in Spring and Fall; developed and adopted policies; created a Board book for prospective board members; held workshops and had a successful fundraiser!
2008
- We received a grant for $4,680 to support Tanoma Abandoned Mine Drainage Wetlands Educational Trail – awarded to EC by the Pittsburgh 250 Community Connections Sprout Fund
- Designed, installed our new signs at our Tanoma AMD Wetlands Educational Site
- Build our wetlands trail with three new bridges
- Held our 1st annual successful Tanoma Celebration on October 4th, 2008 to unveil our new signs and wet lands self interpretive trail.
- Applied for a grant from Senator Don White to install a parking lot at the Tanoma AMD Wetlands