French Creek Valley Conservancy

"This land has been in our family for 4 generations"

"I used to fish here as a kid"

 "I want to be sure there are natural areas like this for my grandchildren"

Many people have connections to and stories about somewhere in the French Creek watershed, a regional pride, a collective fondness. That was certainly evident when French Creek was voted as 2022 PA River of the Year! French Creek Valley Conservancy is dedicated to protecting this community treasure.

Our vision is to maintain a clean and healthy French Creek watershed that is appreciated and protected by its residents, communities, and visitors. Founded in 1982, FCVC is an accredited land trust working to maintain and enhance the exceptional water quality, natural habitat, biological diversity, and recreation in the French Creek watershed. Our programs include Land Protection, Stewardship, Education, and Community Outreach. 

French Creek's headwaters are located in Chautauqua County, New York and it flows 117 miles south through Erie, Crawford, Mercer, and Venango Counties until it joins the Allegheny River at the City of Franklin. FCVC has more than 3,400 acres of land permanently protected, working with willing landowners who want to see their conservation values carried forward. Our protected properties ensure the watershed will not be adversely developed, wildlife and water quality preserved, and public access to recreation protected.

Each year, FCVC provides extensive school environmental programming to thousands of regional school students, as well as many community presentations and events, all free of charge. 

FCVC is also the designated manager of French Creek as a Pennsylvania Water Trail. We provide free maps and fact sheets and continue to make improvements to free, public access locations throughout the watershed.