The Colcom Foundation works diligently to conserve the beautiful environment in southwestern Pennsylvania. They support several trusts, including the Hollow Oak Land Trust, the Westmoreland Land Trust and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s no-interest loans to organizations that want to preserve open spaces. he foundation focuses on Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.
Cordelia S. May created the Colcom Foundation in 1996 when she was 68 years old. Her concern started much earlier, however, caring about preserving nature was not a major concern in the 1950s. The mining and steel industries brought jobs to the region and railroads were needed to transport the materials to the rest of the nation. Preserving open spaces and caring about water quality was a secondary concern for many.
May felt the nation’s burgeoning population and industrialization were straining water resources. Colcom works to find a balance that will prevent a future ecosystem collapse. Overpopulation means humans are competing with other animals for the planet’s resources, so these resources need to be restored and maintained as much as possible, so there is room for everyone.
Even urban dwellers can enjoy forests and green spaces. The Colcom Foundation supports Tree Pittsburgh, an organization that restores and protects urban forests. They offer Tree Tender courses and nursery workshops that support the foundation’s goals of making sure urban residents reap the benefits nature provides.
Colcom also cares about the lives of the people in southwestern Pennsylvania. They help fund organizations like Community Kitchen Pittsburg, which helps individuals with employment challenges to get jobs in the culinary industry. Another organization they fund is the programs at Touchstone Center for Crafts to help artists learn about operating a studio. The foundation also funds other projects that go beyond their typical environmental focus. Visit this page for related information.
More about Colcom Foundation on https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/colcom-foundation/