Why isn't the Westmoreland Conservancy called the Murrysville Conservancy?

Why isn't the Westmoreland Conservancy called the Murrysville Conservancy? October, 2005 By Dick Byers        When the Westmoreland Conservancy formed in 1991 to purchase what is now the Lillian Kellman Nature Reserve, there was considerable discussion about what to call themselves. The Murrysville Conservancy was one of the possibilities. The founders, however, looked far down the road and realized that someday land for conservation purposes in Murrysville would no longer be available. They therefore decided to call their organization the Westmoreland Conservancy knowing that in the future they would have to go outside the community to find land for open space and nature preservation.        Now in its fourteenth year, the Westmoreland Conservancy has confined all its six land acquisitions to the community of Murrysville. After the Kellman property was taken over by Murrysville, the Conservancy bought the King Reserve, and was gifted the Walters, Tomer, Flinn, and McGinnis Reserves. Later the conservancy found grant money to buy Potter's Corner, a three acre addition to the King Reserve. All these reserves are within the boundaries of Murrysville, so in practice, the Westmoreland Conservancy has functioned in a manner more befitting the name of the Murrysville Conservancy.        Only once did the conservancy look beyond the community borders and then only at nearby Washington Township. At this point in time the Westmoreland Conservancy is not actively seeking to go outside the community, but is still going to retain the county name. There is still open space left within the Murrysville community, but if the remaining open space all falls to development, it would be accompanied by a rise in traffic congestion, classroom crowding, and increased taxes for services such as road maintenance, street lights, and snow removal. Therefore, conservancy members are still committed to preserving what open space remains.        Ninety percent of the board members are Murrysville residents who obviously have an interest in keeping Murrysville green. They have worked hard to acquire the 274 acres they currently maintain and have five of the properties opened to the public with parking lots and nature trails. Only one, the Flinn Reserve is inaccessible. If you own land that you want preserved and have no heirs, you might consider gifting it to the Westmoreland Conservancy. If you'd like to help acquire land, or maintain current holdings, the conservancy welcomes volunteers and new members. For more information, check our web page at www.westmorelandconservancy.org