Welcome, New Board Members Got to Know the Late Director of the “Certainly the Rainforest Is Important, but So Is the Temperate Forest,” Asserts Schmidt
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Thomas M. Schmidt While with the WPC, Schmidt directed several key proj- ects, including the Pittsburgh Park and Playground Fund, VP & General Counsel, retired which constructed parklets, playgrounds and greenways Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to bring natural amenities to disadvantaged neighborhoods; the Ligonier Easement Project, one of the largest conser- I have been a director of the vation and scenic easement programs in Pennsylvania, Allegheny Land Trust since it was protecting over 4,000 acres; and the Fallingwater Museum, created at the recommendation for which he raised funds, worked with curators and of Allegheny County 2001. contractors, and added features that helped increase “Like many people in our region, I annual visitation. A publication of Allegheny Land Trust Summer 2002 have been interested in the outdoors In addition, Schmidt is a founder of the Land Trust and science since I was young. My Alliance and trustee of the National Aviary. mother was a bird watcher, and I Welcome, New Board Members got to know the late director of the “Certainly the rainforest is important, but so is the temperate forest,” asserts Schmidt. “The most recent Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Dr. M. Graham Robert T. MacLachlan, MD helped secure preservation of Netting, who became a sort of mentor. As a teenager, Bioblitz inventories of our largest urban parks found A physician by training, MacLachlan has no formal Wingfield Pines, the Trust’s newest I participated in one of the museum’s paleontology unknown and unexpected species—further proof that we environmental experience, but since a young age, he’s acquisition. expeditions out West. have undiscovered treasures, literally in our backyards, that must be protected. always enjoyed the outdoors. “At this point in our region’s “All the time I hear people talking “Today, I am a grouse hunter, fly fisherman, backpacker history,” says the Upper St. Clair resident, “it’s a matter of about a farm or forest that’s been and gardener.” “What also drives my continuing participation in the Allegheny Land Trust and other nature conservation communicating to local citizens how valuable it is to save there for years, and suddenly signs A graduate of Princeton and Harvard and a lawyer by organizations is a very deep feeling about how important open space when possible.” go up, and the bulldozers come in. training, Schmidt worked for the Pittsburgh firm of nature is in the lives of people. If you look at almost any MacLachlan practices what he preaches. His donation of People are typically upset, sometimes outraged,” observes Kirkpatrick & Lockhart before becoming part of the staff part of nature closely, it is fascinating. In this stressed-out a series of original paintings for sale MacLachlan. “It takes foresight and collaboration of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for 27 years. world, contemplating something so astoundingly complex to prevent this.” That position happily enabled him to “combine my love and beautiful puts things in perspective.” ALT of nature with my work.” From the President Ralph J. Papa President, Western Region Dear Allegheny Land Trust Supporters, Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania I am pleased to serve as president of the Trust’s board of directors. I must For Citizens, Papa is respon- admit, however, that Sue Gold’s tenure will be a hard act to follow. sible for all aspects of regional Sue came to her role at a time of difficult transition for the organization, and Allegheny Land Trust Officers community and government Chair and President Secretary she did a magnificent job. The skills and diplomacy that impressed the voterse are ofall relations and new business Thomas M. Schmidt, Esq. Susan M. Gold Marshall Township served our organization equally well. Sue’s demeanor, always PAID development. Papa joined VP & General Counsel, retired Former Chair upbeat and positive, and her hours of dedication helped tremendously. W Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Marshall Twp. Supervisors the business when it was U.S. Postage Permit No. 4 Sewickley, PA Sewickley, Treasurer Vice President Org. Nonprofit delighted that she is going to stay on as Secretary. Sigo Falk John W. Ubinger Jr., Esq. Mellon Bank in 1969. Chairman Partner Sue’s strengths helped us clear the hurdle of becoming an independent organi- e now focus on the next challenge. Maurice Falk Medical Fund Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue zation. W ingfield Pines purchase in our last issue Papa received a bachelor’s degree in social Directors As you saw from the story of the W science/psychology from Penn State University William J. Bates, AIA Rob MacLachlan, MD (on-line at www.alleghenylandtrust.org), acquiring a piece of property can take and also is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate Vice President of Real Estate Board Member Eat‘nPark Hospitality Group, Inc. USC Citizens for Land Stewardship months of work. Now, as a full-time organization, we can move faster and take School of Banking at Rutgers University. In Steve Bland Ralph J. Papa on more projects. I believe that we can achieve our goal of “2006 Acres by 2006.” 1990, he led the PSU Alumni committee that MangoStart Consulting, LLC President of the Western Region However, this work requires funding. Operational expense was formerly Susan D. Craig Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania raised more than $20 million in private funds President, Little Sewickley Creek Ronald C. Schipani, ASLA borne by Allegheny County, the entity that created the Trust in 1993. Today, to build the Bryce Jordan Center. Papa is Watershed Association Vice President & Treasurer it is borne by the organization itself. Jerry V. DeRosa GWSM, Inc. a member of the Governing Council and Assistant Vice President Stevan R. Schott Through sound fiscal management, we have a substantial capital fund for Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Environmental Services Vice President & Controller purchases. What we need now is to generate a solid base of steady supporters PNC DQE Bankers Association. He serves on the who want to see the work continue. Henry W. Ewalt, Esq. Dan Sentz boards of Second Mile, Family House, Attorney/Mediator Riverfront Development Coordinator Thus, it is imperative that we set a parallel goal: “2006 Members by 2006.” Lynn L. Heckman Pittsburgh Department United Way of Allegheny County Senior Deputy Director of City Planning Unlike more specialized conservancies, Allegheny Land Allegheny County Dept. Lisa L. Smith and Penn State McKeesport. Economic Development Consulting Ecologist Trust is interested in open space as well as biodiversity: in William C. Kirk Jr. Davitt B. Woodwell, Esq. nature for recreation, scenic vistas and town commons Native Pittsburghers, Papa and his Project Director Vice President, W. Pa. 1901 Glen Mitchell Road 15143-8856 PA Sewickley, www.alleghenylandtrust.org that bring nature closer to people. wife Ruth Anne reside in Franklin Marconi Communications Pennsylvania Environmental Council to Bill Lawrence In a sense, we have moved from a large base of Park, Pennsylvania. Executive Director Planner, County of Beaver conscripts— the taxpayers of Allegheny County— Treasurer, Friends of the Green Roy Kraynyk and Seldom Seen a select group of supporters who give not because of Continued on page 2 government mandate but because they share our values. Allegheny Land Trust • 1901 Glen Mitchell Rd • Sewickley, PA 15143-8856 Ph: 412-749-4882 Fx: 412-749-4883 E: [email protected] Join us, and encourage others in your community to do so as well. There is www.alleghenylandtrust.org no more direct way to preserve the beauty and bounty of our region. Editor: Sharon Yeager Designer: Kari Miller Tom Schmidt VISTAS is underwritten by an anonymous donor. VISTAS ©Copyright 2002 Allegheny Land Trust Issue 2 Printed on recycled paper Printed on recycled T Grant Helps Purchase New Board Members Continued from page 1 In Appreciation for Service Local Land Saved: 900 Acres Sewickley Heights Parcel E. Steve Bland Allegheny Land Trust thanks the several board members who Inspiring scenery, verdant farmland and wildlife species that have MangoStart Consulting, LLC In April, Allegheny Land Trust celebrated its first year at the Fern will be leaving this year—Robert Beynon, State Representative endured since before Columbus—the land that Allegheny Land Hollow Nature Center by announcing receipt of a $260,000 grant Steve Bland is the founder and CEO of David Levdansky, Dr. Richard Florida and John Rago—for their Trust seeks to protect is valuable in many ways. We have recently to purchase 34 acres adjacent to Sewickley Heights Park. MangoStart Consulting LLC, a consulting firm contributions of talent, guidance and ideas that have helped to added several new properties to the “protected” list. for entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profits build the Trust into the successful land conservation organization The grant is the fifth from the Pennsylvania Department of In October 2001, Allegheny Land Trust took ownership of three doing business in Southwestern Pennsylvania. it is today. Mr. Beynon was a founding board member who, for Conservation and Natural Resources the Trust has received in donated parcels appraised at $210,000. A resident of Highland Park, Bland chose to the maximum nine years allowed by the by-laws, provided support its nine-year history. • The 16-acre Plum parcel was donated by Duquesne Light get involved with the Allegheny Land Trust for and invaluable real estate expertise. Representative Levdansky was Company and is adjacent to another larger parcel we already The property lies within the Camp Meeting Woods Biological the opportunity to preserve some of the nature instrumental in acquiring the Trust’s first property, Dead Man’s own at Barking Slopes. Diversity Area (BDA)—a designation for large tracts of land with important to Western Pennsylvania. “There’s a lot of history here, Hollow. Dr. Florida’s research and published reports on the impor- exemplary plants and wildlife and water quality.