Know Before You Go

We protect land that contributes to our region’s unique scenic character, biodiversity, and water quality, and that provides opportunities for recreation, education, and enhanced quality of life. We encourage you to explore our publicly accessible conservation areas, and would like to offer you some tips to know before you go:

ACTIVE LAND NOTICES/ALERTS

Please find up-to-date notices regarding trail access work, trailhead closures, construction notices, and other activity notes here on our website.

NOT PERMITTED

Camping, fires, and alcohol are not permitted on Allegheny Land Trust conservation areas without prior consent.

Building trails and planting shrubs, trees, or other plants without ALT permission is prohibited.

LEAVE NO TRACE

To ensure our conservation areas have long-lasting, effective impacts for all, we request visitors to leave no trace when exploring our green spaces. How can you best leave no trace? Be sure to plan and prepare for your trip, stay on our sustainable trails, take everything home that you brought with you, dispose of your waste properly, do not take any nature with you, respect the wildlife, and be considerate of other visitors. Read more about the seven Leave No Trace principles here.

HOURS

Dawn to dusk year-round; exceptions may occur without notice.

FACILITIES

There are no restroom facilities, shelters, or running water on ALT lands.

KNOW THE TRAIL

Most ALT properties do not have detailed maps on-site and trail conditions may vary greatly. Review details of a property and the map before you go or take along a friend who knows the area well. Find maps on individual green space pages.

MIND THE BOUNDARIES

We like our neighbors and respect their property lines. Please look out for our boundary markings. These are plastic placards labeled “Allegheny Land Trust” with our logo and name. When in doubt, reference individual maps that can be found on our green space pages.

BE PREPARED

We recommend carrying a few items with you when visiting a green space, including: water, snacks, a first aid kit, a flashlight, bug spray (wear long sleeves, long pants, high socks, and a hat to help protect against ticks), sunscreen, a map, and a fully charged phone. This way you can rest assured that you have what you need if something happens along your hike.

Hunters are active on lands where hunting is permitted from September 1 through January 31. It is safe to be in the woods on these lands during hunting season, but we recommend all visitors wear fluorescent orange during this time like a vest or hat.

PET POLICY

Please find our full pet policy here. Dogs and other pets are permitted on-leash only at many of our conservation areas. We have no off-leash pet areas. Pets are NOT permitted at the Wingfield Pines Conservation Area.

On lands where pets are permitted, keep your pet on a leash to keep other people, pets, and wildlife safe while enjoying our green spaces. Pack a pick-up bag to scoop your pet’s waste and pack the waste out. If there is an educational program running while you are at a conservation area, keep your leashed pet away from the programming.

GEOCACHING

Placing and seeking Geocaches is permitted on ALT conservation areas. You must following Geocaching guidelines. Avoid sensitive habitat areas and active restoration areas, if you need guidance, contact stewardship@alleghenylandtrust.org. Placing a “Premium Member only Geocache” is not permitted. All caches on ALT lands should be available to the public without a fee. ALT has the right to remove any geocache that threatens the biological integrity of the property or creates a nuisance or burden to the organization.

Metal Detecting

Metal detecting is permitted on ALT conservation areas. Surface collection and minimal disturbance (digging with a small pick, screwdriver, hand trowel) is permitted without written permission from ALT. Larger disturbance of an area requires ALT permission. Avoid sensitive habitat areas and active restoration areas, if you need guidance, contact stewardship@alleghenylandtrust.org. Any historical artifacts or significant discovery should be reported to ALT staff and local historic preservation groups.

Foraging/Resource Collection

Collection and removal of plants, wildlife, minerals, and historical/cultural artifacts from ALT property by the public is not permitted, this includes but is not limited to firewood, rocks, and plants. Likewise, do not introduce anything without ALT permission.

Responsible foraging is permitted on ALT lands, rare and sensitive species may not be foraged. For your own safety, be 100% sure of your identification when foraging, avoid polluted environments like roadways, parking lots, or areas where invasive plants are being treated, and be aware of water quality when collecting aquatic species. Avoid sensitive habitat areas and active restoration areas. If you need guidance, contact stewardship@alleghenylandtrust.org. Only collect flowers, leaves, fruits, and seeds where they are in abundance, and only collect the part of the plant you intend to use. Forage carefully to ensure there is enough left for birds and species to consume now and to ensure plants and fungi can regenerate and reproduce – a common recommendation is to only take 20% of what you find.

Camping

Camping is permitted at Sycamore Island only. A camping permit is required; view the green space page for details on the land and how to submit your permit.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted on select ALT Lands and an annual ALT permit is required for each hunter. View our hunting page for details on our policy, hunting availability, and to purchase an ALT permit. Hunters must follow all Game Commission requirements and the ALT limited hunting season, which runs from September 1 to January 31. There is no spring hunting on ALT lands.

Fishing

Fishing, as regulated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, is permitted between the hours of dawn and dusk at ALT properties where ponds and streams support the activity. This includes Catfish Pond at Dead Man’s Hollow and Chartiers Creek at Wingfield Pines.

Research, Events, and Other Uses

Several of our properties are host to research projects and we encourage Universities and organizations to connect with us to explore research opportunities. Please complete our research inquiry form and contact Julie at jtravaglini@alleghenylandtrust.org for research-related inquiries.

ALT runs community, education and volunteer events at several Conservation areas, view our calendar of events for upcoming activities. For-profit events on ALT lands are not permitted. Other events like field trips, gatherings, races, and weddings are considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact info@alleghenylandtrust.org with inquiries.