About Independence Conservancy
Our Mission
Independence Conservancy’s mission is to protect the land, water and wildlife of the Raccoon Creek Region of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Our History
Independence Conservancy is the first and only land trust based in Beaver County, PA. We are an all-volunteer organization headquartered in Industry, PA. Our focus is protecting the land, water and wildlife of the Raccoon Creek Watershed in Beaver, Washington and Allegheny counties.
Independence Conservancy is not a unit of state, local or county government. We are a 501c3 non-profit, supported 100% by public donations, project grants and stewardship programs.
Members and friends of Independence Conservancy celebrate its 25th anniversary with a picnic at Creekside Trail on July 6, 2024. Left to right: Vicky Michaels, Mike Dunn, Michelle Dunn, Al Cwynar, Marisa Logan, Rebecca Matsco, Jenny Fiscus, Bruce Senior, and Lexa Taylor.
Independence Conservancy celebrated its 25th anniversary on July 4, 2024. We incorporated on July 4, 1999 in Aliquippa PA, as the Independence Marsh Foundation to care for the Independence Marsh mitigation wetlands along PA Route 151 in Beaver County. As time passed, this purpose became unnecessary and the Foundation expanded our work throughout the greater Raccoon Creek region.
On January 1, 2007, we changed our corporate name from Independence Marsh Foundation to Independence Conservancy to better reflect our status as a land trust and to recognize our larger role as an independent steward of the Raccoon Creek Region in Beaver, Washington and Allegheny Counties of Western Pennsylvania.
Although Independence Conservancy has its roots at Independence Marsh, the Conservancy has no offices, staff, or operations there. Independence Marsh is owned and operated by the Beaver County Conservation District, whose headquarters are located in the Beaver County Conservation District Environmental Center at the wetlands.
On March 31, 2015, the members of the Raccoon Creek Watershed Association, most of whom were members of Independence Conservancy, voted to disband the RCWA and join with Independence Conservancy. We're now the official advocate for stewardship of the greater Raccoon Creek region including Mill Creek, King's Creek and Harmon Creek which flow westward toward the Ohio River.