That’s a Wrap! Highlights from the 2024 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference – Technologist

A record-breaking 426 individuals came together for the 2024 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference held in Bethlehem from April 3 to 5. The conference provided 75 hours of instruction with 38 classroom sessions, six mobile seminars, and 90 presenters. People rated the overall event a 4.8 out of 5 on average.

WeConservePA extends sincere thanks to the hosts, planning committee members, sponsors, presenters, exhibitors, and attendees who all contributed to the event’s success.

Statistics

Evaluations

• Average overall conference rating: 4.8 (out of 5, 5 being the best)
• Average session rating: 4.7

Training

• 90 speakers
• 38 classroom sessions
• 6 mobile seminars
• 75 hours of training

Attendance

• Total attendance: 426 (a record high!)
• Attendees were associated with more than 140 unique organizations (including 40+ land trusts; 40+ local government EACs and Open Space Committees, state agencies, and other units of government; and 25+ other non-profit organizations)
• 186 first-time attendees (a record high!)
• Attendance excluding exhibitors and guests: 376

Review the 2024 CONFERENCE PROGRAM

What Folks Are Saying

I find this conference incredibly valuable for building relationships, which is crucial to strengthening our various partnerships. It’s also inspiring to learn how other organizations are handling the same issues.

It was my first time attending the conference and I thought it was very educational! I appreciated the wide variety of topics and speakers.

The hotel choice was beautiful, and everything was organized very well. I enjoyed having the local conservancies be present to provide insight into the land they preserve every day.

Diane Husic gave the best talk I’ve heard in a long time!

Classroom session at Wind Creek.

WeConservePA member banner at registration.

Thursday evening dinner.

Mobile Seminars Highlight Local Assets – Even in the Rain!

For the second year in a row, Mother Nature made mobile seminars more difficult to pull off, however our tour leaders did an amazing job adapting to on-the-ground conditions.

READ MORE about 2024 Tours.

Walk at Columcille Megalith Park. Credit: Sherry Acevedo.

Classroom session at Nelson Lodge, Kirkridge Preserve. Credit: Sherry Acevedo.

Overlook at Kirkwood Preserve. Credit: Stephen Kloiber.

Lehigh Valley History and Land Conservation Featured in Story Map

If you want to revisit the Lehigh Valley to experience more than was possible during the conference (or you weren’t able to make the conference,) you may want to check out WeConservePA ArcGIS Storymap of conservation projects, historic sites, and more that was prepared in support of the conference. VIEW THE MAP.

Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award Presented to Steven J. Schiffman, Esq.

WeConservePA honored attorney Steven J. Schiffman with the Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award during dinner on Thursday, April 4.  The Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to conservation in Pennsylvania over the course of their life. READ MORE.

Steven J. Schiffman accepts the Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award.

Steven J. Schiffman, Esq. and Lori Serratelli, Esq. with WeConservePA Executive Director Andy Loza, WeConservePA Board President Renee’ Carey, and friend Larry Schweiger.

Steven J. Schiffman, Esq. and Lori Serratelli, Esq. with members of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy staff, past and present.

Thank You to the Conference Hosts!

Heritage Conservancy, Lehigh County Conservation District, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Northampton County Agricultural Land Preservation Board, Northampton County Conservation District, Northampton County Parks & Recreation, Wildlands Conservancy.