Ross Conservation Project
Protecting Local Land
SUMMARY | Allegheny Land Trust and community partners are working to permanently conserve 30 acres of woodlands in Ross Township. This land has adjacency to Ross Township’s 31-acre Municipal Park, and sits at the highest point in the Girty’s Run Watershed. Upon successful purchase, ownership will be transferred to Ross Township for permanent conservation use only. Conserving this green space will preserve the character of this community, build resiliency, and provide expanded public recreational opportunities enhancing the quality of life for generations to come.
BENEFITS | The land’s permanent conservation would benefit the health, well-being, and enjoyment of current and future residents by protecting biodiversity, air and water quality, and local scenic character as well as creating connections and expanded opportunities for close-to-home passive recreation and environmental education.
Protecting this land would help to conserve the quality of the Girty’s Run Watershed by allowing the continued absorption of 14.6 million gallons of rainwater annually. It would also ensure maintained air quality by annually sequestering 119,400 pounds of carbon and removing 2,100 pounds of other pollutants.
STATUS & FUNDING | ALT currently has an exclusive contract to purchase and permanently protect this green space contingent upon successfully raising the necessary funds for closing by December 2024. A total of $386,562 is needed to conserve the land.
Ross Township committed $30,000 toward the success of this project! Additionally, the project successfully received funding from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. Other Government and Private Foundation Grants are still pending. The final critical component of the funding puzzle is donations from individuals in the community.
HOW YOU CAN HELP | Donations from individuals are a crucial component to every ALT land conservation project as they provide required matching dollars to unlock the full funds from state agencies and they also provide funds to fill any funding gaps.
For this project, we need the community to help us raise $45,000 to protect this land as permanent green space and benefit residents today and for generations to come. We hope you’ll help save this local land by making a donation today.
Current Community Funding Status (updated: 11/12/2024)
$37,949/$45,000