What is ClearWater Conservancy?

Updated

ClearWater Conservancy is a locally formed, nationally accredited land trust in central Pennsylvania, founded in 1980. It works on four fronts—connect, protect, restore, and steward—to conserve land, restore waterways, and connect people to the natural beauty of the region. It is the organization behind clearwaterconservancy.org, and its stated aim is "a future where people and nature thrive together," pursued through collaboration, education, and science-based action.

The four pillars of its work

The site organizes its activity around four pillars, each with a distinct role:

Pillar What it means in practice
Connect Connecting people to nature through education, outdoor experiences, and collaboration to grow a community of conservation stewards
Protect Protecting priority lands and waterways to ensure clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient landscapes for future generations
Restore Restoring streams and streamside forests, partnering with farmers on best management practices
Steward Actively managing and monitoring conserved lands through sustainable practices and hands-on community engagement

Who it is and how it is structured

ClearWater Conservancy describes itself as a land trust dedicated to conserving and restoring the land and water of central Pennsylvania. Its published structure includes a board of directors, staff, and partners in conservation, and it publishes a vision and strategy—the ClearWater Compass—as its long-term strategic vision for connecting, protecting, restoring, and stewarding the region.

Ways to get involved

The site lists several entry points for people who want to participate rather than just read:

  • Volunteer and Become a Member
  • Donate, including a "Campaign to Connect" and sponsorship opportunities
  • Events, such as Golf Fest, Art & Chocolate, Watershed Cleanup Day 2026, and the Annual Meeting
  • Centred Outdoors, a discovery program, plus a Community Conservation Center and Native Garden
  • Landowner Resources and the option to Visit a Conserved Property

When this page answers your question—and when it doesn't

Use this overview if you want to know what the organization is, what it works on, and how to plug in as a volunteer, member, donor, or event participant. If you need specifics—exact conserved acreage, project locations, membership tiers, or donation amounts—those details are not in the material summarized here; check the corresponding sections of the site (Explore Conservation, Restoration Projects, Get Involved) for the current figures and terms.