Local Land Conservation Nonprofit to Protect 90-Acres of Green Space

May 26, 2022­­­

For Immediate Release

SEWICKLEY HILLS, PA – Local land conservation nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) successfully completed fundraising for three land purchases to permanently protect a total of 90 acres in Ohio Township, Franklin Park Borough and Sewickley Hills Borough.

“We’re happy to protect 90 additional acres in Northwest Allegheny County to add to the 800 acres already protected in this area and appreciative of the support of the communities who came together to help us make it happen,” ALT President & CEO Christopher Beichner said.

Following a year of fundraising, this project protects nine acres in Ohio Township along Red Mud Hollow Road and adjacent to Ohio Township Park, 25 acres in Franklin Park Borough along the east side of I-79 near Blueberry Hill Park and adjacent to previously-protected ALT land, and 57 acres in Sewickley Hills Borough just south of Sewickley Hills Park and ALT’s Audubon Greenway conservation area. Two of the purchases have officially closed, and one is scheduled to close by the end of June 2022.

ALT raised the approximate $1.5 million needed to acquire these lands through a significant grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, a land value donation from the sellers, a direct contribution by ALT derived from the sale of carbon credits and over $320,000 donated by local community members.The protection of these lands (shown in the map on page two) creates connections between ALT conservation areas and multiple municipal parks. These lands also protect scenic beauty, preserve rural character and contribute to the health and well-being of our northwest Allegheny County communities by providing clean water, fresh air, quiet tranquility, wildlife habitat and close-to-home outdoor recreation opportunities.

Including these lands, ALT now protects nearly 900 acres of green space across Bell Acres, Franklin Park, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights, Sewickley Hills and Ohio Township.

“These woodlands are a very visible gateway to these local communities,” Beichner said. “Their permanent protection creates immediate green space connections and the potential for future connections with benefits across municipal boundaries.”