Marketing Communications Director

Allegheny Land Trust Closes On Eight Conservation Projects At Year’s End

January 9, 2023

For Immediate Release

Allegheny County, PA – Local conservation nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) conserved another 120.5 acres at the end of December 2022 over eight projects across Allegheny County.

“With development and infrastructure expansion continuing to consume approximately 2,000 acres of green space in the County each year, conserving these lands was a great way to end the year,” ALT President & CEO Chris Beichner said. “From the smallest conserved parcel to the largest, each project will create lasting benefits for each community’s air and water quality, wildlife habitat, biodiversity and recreation and environmental education opportunities.”

The recently-protected lands were a combination of market rate purchases, conservation easements and donated properties, and are located in Baldwin, Millvale and Wilkinsburg Boroughs, and Indiana, Moon, Reserve and Shaler Townships.

“Community support is crucial to the success of our land conservation efforts,” Beichner said. “These communities rallied behind these projects and built tremendous support to help save these green spaces.”

Among the conserved lands is the Reserve/Shaler project, which generated support from surrounding municipalities, local businesses, students in a Shaler Area High School sustainability class and hundreds of individuals. The project involved a partnership between the previous landowner, a new farmer and ALT. Its permanent protection enables the new farmer to farm another portion of the parcel and adds 45 acres to ALT’s conservation successes in the Girty’s Run Watershed.

Along the Montour Trail sits another newly-conserved land. The 14.75-acre green space builds upon the partnered efforts of ALT, Hollow Oak Land Trust (HOLT) and the Montour Trail Council. Now that it is acquired, ALT will transfer the land to HOLT for permanent protection to add to its 320-acre Montour Woods along the Montour Trail.

As part of ALT & Grow Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Agricultural Land Initiative (TRALI), a 0.14 acre addition to the Garden Dreams site will allow Grow Pittsburgh and gardeners to expand their urban agriculture operations and community outreach at the site.

“The addition of this corner lot is key to the next phase of our Garden Dreams plans,” said Grow Pittsburgh Director of Development and Communications Ryan Walsh. “In a more immediate sense, it also allows us to care for this corner lot. We’re excited to transform it from what has been an unsightly mess of weeds and debris to a neighborhood green space.”

In all of 2022, ALT conserved 290 acres of green space across multiple projects. Every resident of Allegheny County now lives within eight miles of an ALT conservation area.

“While this year’s additions are reason to celebrate our successes, we are already ramping up for several more projects this year,” Beichner said. “We are excited to continue working with communities across our region on protecting close-to-home green spaces.”

ABOUT ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST

Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1993 in response to the rapidly declining amount of green space in Allegheny County, Allegheny Land Trust has protected more than 3,700 acres to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. ALT’s strategic priorities are in land protection, land stewardship, community conservation, and environmental education. More information: www.alleghenylandtrust.org.

Allegheny Land Trust Earns National Recognition

August 24, 2022

For Immediate Release

Sewickley, PA – The Land Trust Alliance’s Land Trust Accreditation Commission granted Sewickley-based land conservation nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) with its second renewal as a nationally accredited land trust on August 18, 2022.

ALT is one of fewer than ten percent of land trusts across the country to receive a second accreditation renewal.

“We are committed to helping local people save local land, and to upholding national standards of excellence to maintain the public’s trust as we grow our conservation work,” ALT President & CEO Chris Beichner said.

ALT provided extensive documentation and was subject to a comprehensive third-party evaluation prior to achieving this distinction from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The Commission’s renewed accreditation award signifies its confidence that ALT’s lands will be protected forever. There are more than 450 accredited land trusts across the nation, and they now steward almost 20 million acres – the size of Denali, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Everglades and Yosemite National Parks combined.

Accreditation is awarded to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. Each accredited land trust completes a rigorous review process and joins a network of organizations united by strong ethical practices. This trusted network of land trusts has demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions and lasting stewardship of the lands they conserve.

“It is exciting to recognize ALT’s continued commitment to national standards by renewing this national mark of distinction,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Commission.

ALT has protected 3,600 acres of woodlands and meadows in 36 different local municipalities since its founding in 1993. Every resident of Allegheny County lives within 8 miles of an ALT conservation area. The organization conserves lands that promote biodiversity, protect air and water quality, preserve unique scenic character, provide wildlife habitat, create connections with other green space and offer opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation. Some of the land trust’s well-known green spaces include Audubon Greenway in Sewickley, Barking Slopes in New Kensington, Bethel Green in Bethel Park, Churchill Valley Greenway in Churchill and Penn Hills, Dead Man’s Hollow near McKeesport, Girty’s Woods in Reserve, Irwin Run in Gibsonia, Sycamore Island in Blawnox and Wingfield Pines in Upper St. Clair.

“We are a stronger organization than ever for having gone through the thorough accreditation renewal process. Our strength means special places – from our large, rural green spaces to our small, central community gardens – will be protected forever, making our region an even greater, more resilient place for us and our children,” Beichner said.

ABOUT THE LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission inspires excellence, promotes public trust and ensures permanence in the conservation of open lands by recognizing organizations that meet rigorous 9uality standards and strive for continuous improvement. The Commission, established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts. For more, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

ABOUT ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST

Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1993 in response to the rapidly declining amount of green space in Allegheny County, Allegheny Land Trust has protected more than 3,600 acres to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. ALT’s strategic priorities are in land protection, land stewardship, community conservation, and environmental education. More information: www.alleghenylandtrust.org.

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.”

Time Running Out on Local Land Conservation Project – $110,000 Funding Gap Threatens Closing

April 8, 2022

For Immediate Release

SEWICKLEY HILLS, PA – Local land conservation nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) has been working to acquire 90 acres over three different purchases that help to connect ALT conservation areas and multiple municipal parks in Ohio Township, Franklin Park Borough and Sewickley Hills Borough.

ALT has raised the funding necessary to complete two of the three purchases. However, an additional $110,000 must be raised before April 30, 2022, for the organization to acquire the 75-acre Buerkle Woodlands parcel at the northwest corner of the Mount Nebo Interchange along Blackburn Road in Sewickley Hills. The original closing date on the property was March 31, 2022, but the seller agreed to a 30-day contract extension to provide more time to raise the necessary funds.

“These woodlands are a very visible gateway to Sewickley Hills, Sewickley Heights and other Northwest Allegheny County communities,” ALT President & CEO Chris Beichner said. “Together with local residents, we’ve worked hard over the last year to raise the funding for this important conservation project.”

Just over $1 million was needed to complete the Buerkle Woodlands acquisition. ALT secured a major grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and rallied support from the community and other donors to reduce the funding gap to the current $110,000.

In addition to protecting the scenic beauty of this area, conserving this land will also add to the growing network of connected green space contributing 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.

“We now face a short window to close the funding gap to ensure this land is protected,” Beichner said. “We will need additional support from those who stand to benefit the most from this land’s conservation – the surrounding community.”

RELEASE: LAND TRUST RECEIVES STATE FUNDING FOR GARFIELD GREEN SPACE AND PERMANENTLY PROTECTS LAND

Resulting Coverage: PA Environmental Digest (1/28)

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January 28, 2022

For Immediate Release —

Garfield, Pittsburgh, PA – Local land conservation nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) was awarded a $69,400 grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) 2021 Community Conservation Partnerships Grants Program on December 30, 2021, toward two community conservation projects in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood, and successfully closed on the Healcrest project.

Since 2019, ALT, the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation (BGC), and surrounding community members have been working together to permanently protect the green space that was formerly home to the Healcrest Urban Farm. The entirety of the project will protect 1.5 acres and is made up of 15 individual parcels. The land ALT closed on in December is the first phase and protects 7 of the 15 parcels.

“We’re grateful that, with community leadership and support, we’ve completed phase one of this unique project – which is ALT’s first completed green space project under our Community Conservation initiative,” ALT community conservation senior director Alyson Fearon said. “DCNR’s funding was crucial to the success of phase one, and we’re excited to bring that funding into the city to protect urban green space.”

The group’s draft plans re-imagine the small parcels of farmland as a gathering space for Environmental Charter School (ECS) Middle students, and the surrounding community, that could help preserve the land’s organic soils, apple trees and other vital amenities. This vision was guided by the Garfield Green Zone Plan, the Garfield 2030 Plan and the Garfield Community Trail plan, all of which were created by local stakeholders with neighborhood goals in mind.

ALT and a select group of stakeholders – comprised of neighbors of the green space, the BGC, Grounded Strategies, and ECS Middle – worked together to secure the land under contract, draft a vision plan, kick-start fundraising efforts and begin minor site clean-up.

“The BGC is thrilled to see this land protected and preserved as a green space for Garfield,” BGC’s Greenzone Coordinator Madeline Weiss said. “Healthy green spaces are vital to a thriving community, and we are looking forward to this opportunity to nurture the natural ecosystem while providing a usable outdoor space for residents.” 

Now that phase one is complete, Weiss is leading additional site clean-up, neighborhood events, trail planning sessions and trail-building activities as ALT works toward protecting land in the second phase of the project.

For more project details and updates, visit: https://alleghenylandtrust.org/healcrest/

Resulting Coverage: PA Environmental Digest (1/28)

RELEASE: LOCAL LAND TRUST RECEIVES GRANT TO PROTECT GREEN SPACE IN THE GLADE RUN LAKE WATERSHED

RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:

Butler & Cranberry Eagle (1/11/2022), PA Environment Digest (1/28/2022)

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January 2022

For Immediate Release

Middlesex Township, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded a $313,000 grant to southwestern Pennsylvania land conservation nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) on December 30, 2021 toward the acquisition of approximately 53 acres located on Sandy Hill Road in Middlesex Township, Butler County for open space and passive recreation.

“We are extremely excited to continue efforts with the Glade Run Lake Conservancy and the local community to protect land around this unique lake in this rapidly developing area,” said Chris Beichner, President & CEO of ALT. “These grant dollars offer a significant boost to our efforts to protect this land and promote the community’s resiliency.”

The 53 acres that ALT has under contract to purchase are located adjacent to a 120-acre tract of land protected by ALT and the Glade Run Lake Conservancy (GRLC) in 2021 using a conservation easement. When protected, this green space will help to ensure the health and vitality of the watershed by protecting the trees and other plants that help to maintain water quality and reduce flooding, maintain the rural and scenic beauty of the community, protect wildlife habitat, and more. Protecting this 53-acre green space would ensure permanent annual capture of 371,000 pounds of carbon and approximately 77,000,000 gallons of rainwater.

The land under contract would build upon recent land protection efforts by ALT and GRLC in the Glade Run Lake Watershed. Over the past several years, the two organizations have identified sensitive lands at greatest risk of development and are important to protecting the overall quality of Glade Run Lake, which is utilized by residents as a recreational resource. ALT and GRLC then used that analysis to create a plan to collaboratively pursue the conservation of those lands through a variety of conservation tools including conservation easements and outright fee ownership.

“These 53-acres are another building block piece in a larger Lego puzzle – in 2017, we laid the foundation by restoring the dam and spillway to refill the lake, in 2021 we placed a conservation easement on Joan Goswell’s land and now this property is directly adjacent to that land and contains the main source of water to the lake,” GRLC President Siggy Pehel said. “We will continue adding blocks in 2022, 2023 and beyond to preserve and protect the lake and its watershed.”

These acres are components of the visionary GRLC watershed strategy to acquire property contiguous to the lake, obtain conservation easements from landowners within the watershed, to assist landowners to acquire farm preservation for their properties, and to continue to grow the green space in a township that has expanded high density planned residential developments in near proximity to the lake.

“While many thought our work was done when the lake was refilled in 2017, the GRLC has continued hard work over the last five years to preserve and protect the lake and its surrounding properties within the watershed. Our focus is to continue this work,” Pehel said. “This announcement of the grant is another puzzle piece that has fallen into place and would not have happened without ALT.”

ALT was able to use the value of a conservation easement that was gifted to ALT by Joan Goswell in 2021 as a match for the DCNR grant that is being used to purchase the 53 acres. A small gap in funding will need to be filled by the end of March when ALT will purchase the 53 acres and later transfer it to the PA Fish and Boat Commission.

“We thank GRLC and ALT for their sustained partnership. Thanks to them, a critical property of recreational and environmental importance in the Glade Run Lake watershed has been identified and funds secured to allow the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) to acquire the approximately 53 acre property,” said Tim Schaeffer, PFBC Executive Director. “This property will be combined with the PFBC’s Glade Run Lake property and will allow for the public use, protection, and preservation of these properties and Glade Run Lake.”

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About Glade Run Lake Conservancy The Glade Run Lake Conservancy (GRLC) is dedicated to the restoration, ongoing preservation, and improvement of Glade Run Lake and its adjacent lands, located in southern Butler County, Pennsylvania. By encouraging the use of Glade Run Lake and its surrounding park land, the GRLC promotes outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, and education of the natural world for people of all ages. More information can be found at gladerunlakeconservancy.org.

About Allegheny Land Trust Founded as a 501(c)(3)) nonprofit in 1993 in response to the rapidly declining amount of green space in Allegheny County, ALT has protected more than 3,400 acres to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. ALT’s strategic priorities are in land protection, land stewardship, community conservation, and environmental education. More information can be found at alleghenylandtrust.org.

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RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:

Butler & Cranberry Eagle (1/11/2022), PA Environment Digest (1/28/2022)

RELEASE: TRALI Protects Enright Street Garden in East Liberty Neighborhood

RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:

PA Environment Digest (11/9/2021)

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November 9, 2021

For Immediate Release

(East Liberty, Pittsburgh, PA) – The Three Rivers Agricultural Land Initiative (TRALI) officially protected the Enright Community Garden on October 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood.

“Now that the space is protected, we aren’t just going year-by-year, waiting to see if development pressure is going to trigger a sale of the property,” said Sallyann Kluz, an Enright Community Garden member.

For more than ten years, the garden had been maintained and improved by a committed group of community members and teachers from Kentucky Avenue School (KAS) in Shadyside with support from Grow Pittsburgh and East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI).

“We’ve had the privilege of helping to supply this garden with materials to grow into what it is now,” GP Executive Director Denele Hughson said. “It is both a relief and gift to now be able to promise that all their work will be protected and enjoyed for generations to come.”

TRALI protects existing community gardens and urban farms throughout the Pittsburgh region. Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) has purchased the land from ELDI, and Grow Pittsburgh will continue to support the garden with mentorship and resources.

“We are thrilled to partner with Grow Pittsburgh and the community to connect neighbors and address food insecurity concerns at Enright Community Garden,” ALT president and CEO Chris Beichner said. “Part of our vision is to make green space easily accessible and available to everyone, and we believe the TRALI initiative is helping to fulfill that vision.”

Located at 214 South Saint Clair Street, the site was previously an abandoned lot that neighbors hoped to improve.

“When I moved to East Liberty in 2002, the lot was vacant and overgrown. There was a high volume of drug trafficking happening, and it really contributed to the feeling that the end of the street, right up next to Enright Park, was unsafe and neglected,” said Kluz, who is also a neighbor to the garden and was an ELDI board member at the time.

Kluz proposed the idea of the City taking ownership of the lot and eventually transferring the title to ELDI. Simultaneously, Kim Wynnyckyj – a Whole Foods store manager in East Liberty who had previously worked with ELDI and other community members—approached ELDI about the idea of a community garden as an outreach program of the store.

Whole Foods, a group of neighbors and the nearby KAS came together in 2008 to make the garden a reality. Whole Foods provided the resources, including staff, supplies and funding. Meanwhile, KAS began offering lessons for their students in the garden in the fall and spring, using produce from the garden in their “Living Lunch” program.

Ever since, Enright Community Garden has served as a gathering place for neighbors as well as students, parents and teachers. Roughly 20 people each year volunteer and maintain beds at the garden. In the spring and summer, those beds are filled with tomatoes, zucchini, lettuce, raspberries and an array of other fruits and vegetables.

“The garden’s history and continuous presence in the neighborhood underscores its value to the community,” said ALT senior director of community conservation & resiliency Alyson Fearon. “In addition, the garden’s adjacency to the rapid redevelopment happening on the former Penn Plaza site in East Liberty raises its priority level in TRALI’s criteria, as the program seeks to protect vibrant-but-threatened gardens.”

Now that the future of the garden is secure, volunteers can dedicate their energy to long-term improvements. Next spring, the gardeners hope to turn the northern corner of the space into a perennial fruit garden with pear trees, blueberry bushes, and a strawberry patch.

“I love how land and place can reflect storytelling and collective memories, and seeing the garden become a part of the long-term fabric of East Liberty is important,” Kluz said.

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About Grow Pittsburgh

Grow Pittsburgh’s mission is to teach people how to grow food and promote the benefits that gardens bring to our neighborhoods. The organization was founded in 2005 and has been a registered 501c (3) entity since 2008. We use growing food as a platform to bring people and communities together, while inspiring them to be healthier individuals, learn new skills, care for the earth and make our city and region a more livable, equitable and desirable place to be. Please visit our website to learn more about the distinct programs and production sites that provide opportunities for people of all ages to grow their own food. More information can be found at growpittsburgh.org .

About Allegheny Land Trust

Founded as a 501(c)(3)) nonprofit in 1993 in response to the rapidly declining amount of green space in Allegheny County, ALT has protected more than 3,200 acres to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. ALT’s strategic priorities are in land protection, land stewardship, community conservation, and environmental education. More information can be found at alleghenylandtrust.org .

About TRALI

TRALI launched in August 2017 as a partnership between Grow Pittsburgh and Allegheny Land Trust. The goal is to provide long-term security to local community gardens and urban farms. Four sites have been permanently protected and are owned by Allegheny Land Trust while Grow Pittsburgh provides support. The initiative creates the stability necessary to foster a vibrant, sustainable urban agriculture movement in the Pittsburgh region by removing the threat of future sales of agricultural lands for other development purposes and creating opportunity to expand urban agriculture.

Community gardens and urban farms provide environmental benefits including stormwater mitigation, pollinator habitat creation and neighborhood food insecurity reduction, and serve as vital places for social connections and community-building. There are more than 120 community gardens and urban farms in Allegheny County, many of which are using land without a formal land use agreement or have only temporary permission. More information can be found at growpittsburgh.org/landtrust .

Enright Community Garden

214 South Saint Clair Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206

Contact: Jen DeFoe, Gardener

info@enrightpark.org

https://www.growpittsburgh.org/directory/garden/enright-community-garden

https://www.facebook.com/enrightgarden/

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RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:

PA Environment Digest (11/9/2021)

RELEASE: LARGEST URBAN FOREST CARBON CREDIT PURCHASE TO SUPPORT CONSERVING LAND

RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:

PA Environment Digest (11/4/2021), WPXI Our Region’s Business Feature Video (11/8/2021)

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November 4, 2021

For Immediate Release

Pittsburgh, PA – The largest urban forest carbon credit sale in the nation was made in October 2021, and will support land conservation in the southwestern Pennsylvania region via local nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT).

This significant purchase increases the capacity of ALT to conserve and care for more crucial green space in southwestern Pennsylvania.

“Through this innovative program, we are able to bring private dollars to the Pittsburgh region and utilize them locally to address regional issues and to lessen the impact of climate change and other threats to our resiliency,” said Chris Beichner, ALT President & CEO. “This carbon credit sale proves this creative approach is a viable concept that can be replicated within our region and across the globe to make transformational change close-to-home.”

Carbon offsets are project investments that help to reduce or avoid carbon emissions, or that are able to capture and store carbon that has already been emitted; each offset represents 1 metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent. This purchase was made by Regen Network Development, Inc. and will act as the broker of ALT’s available carbon credits, and is certified through the nonprofit City Forest Credits (CFC).

“Regen Network is delighted to support Allegheny Land Trust by purchasing carbon credits for the Regen Network blockchain carbon marketplace,” said Sarah Baxendell, the director of business development at Regen Network Development, Inc. “ALT’s land trust work signals that urban forest conservation is critical to urban community health and climate action. Partnering with the City Forest registry ensures that urban forest preservation work is cemented as a viable climate impact strategy.”

CFC is a specialized carbon registry managing carbon protocols and impact standards to protect and plant trees in metropolitan areas in the United States. This is a unique approach as its one of the only registries working in urban areas to more effectively bring the benefits of carbon capture to the populations experiencing the negative outcomes of carbon emissions.

“Carbon financing can provide a critical source of private funding for land trusts to protect urban forests at risk of conversion. The close proximity of the forests to people has direct benefits to the health of the residents who live, work and breathe nearby,” said CFC director Liz Johnston. “This recent purchase from Regen is a great example of how companies can advance their carbon goals while also supporting the well-being of local communities.”

Companies seeking carbon credits to offset their emissions as a short or long-term solution will buy credits from the broker, which in turn supports the land conservation efforts of ALT.

“This allows us to diversify our funding and protect lands in communities that may not have financial capacity, but could certainly benefit from permanently protected land,” said Beichner. “We hope companies – and especially southwestern Pennsylvania companies – will participate in this opportunity, and we hope to see it grow as a partnership for land trusts across the nation.”

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RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:

PA Environment Digest (11/4/2021), WPXI Our Region’s Business Feature Video (11/8/2021)

RELEASE: TRALI Protects Kincaid Street Garden in Garfield Neighborhood

RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:

ELDI Blog – July 19, We Conserve PA Blog – July 27, PA Environment Digest Blog – July 27, Pittsburgh City Paper – August 11.

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(Garfield, Pittsburgh, PA) – The Three Rivers Agricultural Land Initiative (TRALI) has officially protected the Kincaid Street Garden in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood.

“Over the years, we feared that the lots could be taken out from under us, as has happened to other community gardens in Pittsburgh. That fear prevented us from making long-term investments in the garden,” long-time garden volunteer Lydia Yoder said. “We can now plan for a long future for the garden.”

Located approximately at 5414 Kincaid Street, the now-protected land was purchased as two parcels. One parcel was purchased from East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI), and the other was purchased from Penn Pioneer Enterprises Mark Fichtner and Aaron Chaney. There are two adjacent parcels used by the garden that TRALI plans to protect as well.

Today, the garden provides opportunities for local residents to grow healthy food, work the soil, and interact cooperatively with their neighbors. There are typically 25 gardeners working the gardens annually.

A joint venture between Pittsburgh-area nonprofits Grow Pittsburgh (GP) and Allegheny Land Trust (ALT), TRALI works to protect urban agricultural lands in perpetuity. Kincaid Street Garden was officially protected on July 20, 2021.

“We are thrilled to partner with Grow Pittsburgh and the community to connect neighbors and address food insecurity concerns at Kincaid Street Garden,” ALT President and CEO Chris Beichner said. “Part of our vision is to make green space easily accessible and available to everyone, and we believe our TRALI initiative is helping to fulfill that vision.”

Kincaid Street Garden formed in late 2012 when fellows from Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience (PULSE) worked with the Garfield Community Action Team, GP and Garfield residents to transform vacant parcels into growing space.

Garfield residents can sign up to become a member of Kincaid Street Garden. As a member, they can care for collectively shared garden plots with perennial crops or adopt their own plot to care for independently. The garden is also used as a play space for kids that live nearby.

About Grow Pittsburgh

About Allegheny Land Trust

About TRALI

TRALI launched in August 2017 with the goal of protecting and preserving selected urban agricultural lands in perpetuity. It will provide long-term security for existing community gardens and urban farms. A future goal is to protect vacant properties that are ideal for agricultural use. The initiative will create the stability necessary to foster a vibrant, sustainable urban agriculture movement in the Pittsburgh region by removing the threat of future sales of agricultural lands for other development purposes and creating opportunity to expand urban agriculture.

Kincaid Street Garden

5409 Kincaid Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206

Contact: kincaidgarden@gmail.com

https://www.growpittsburgh.org/directory/garden/kincaid-street-community-garden

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RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:

ELDI Blog – July 19, We Conserve PA Blog – July 27, PA Environment Digest Blog – July 27, Pittsburgh City Paper – August 11.

ALT Seeks National Reaccreditation: Public Comment Period Open

Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) is pleased to announce it is applying for national reaccreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. A public comment period is now open.

The land trust accreditation program recognizes conservation land trusts that meet national quality standards for conserving important natural places forever. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission (LTAC), an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs.

The last time ALT went through national accreditation was in 2016. To stay accredited, reaccreditation is required every five years. There are approximately 450 land trusts currently accredited across the United States.

“We are happy our board has decided that reapplying for national accreditation was an organizational priority,” says Chris Beichner, ALT’s President & CEO. “Going through the rigorous accreditation process is valuable to ensuring our organization is living up to the highest standards of excellence while instilling confidence and trust with our members, donors, partners and landowners.”

ALT and LTAC invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Allegheny Land Trust complies with the national Standards and Practices. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-practices.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org.

Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Public input related to Allegheny Land Trust’s application will be accepted until August 10, 2021.