Black Lives Matter. There is inequity in our ecosystem. We know that conserving green space is just one small voice in the overall chorus needed to bring about change, and we are committed to using our capacity as a nonprofit land trust to be an inclusive and equitable organization and to address environmental inequity across our region.
We are devoted to exploring ways our organization can do better and will share those goals publicly in the near future. Please find our complete statement in our June 3rd e-newsletter. We also joined with 30 other Pittsburgh-area environmental groups in signing a letter and promising to continue efforts to address racial inequity in our region. Find the letter here on NextPittsburgh.
PROTECTING 155 ACRES IN GIRTY’S RUN WATERSHED
April 20, 2020 | For Immediate Release
Reserve, PA – Local land conservation non-profit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) signed an exclusive agreement to acquire and permanently protect 155 acres of green space located in Reserve Township and adjacent to the Borough of Millvale and Shaler Township.
Permanent conservation of this significant green space will preserve natural scenic beauty, provide close-to-home outdoor recreation and environmental education opportunities, absorb rainwater that would otherwise overwhelm Girty’s Run watershed, protect wildlife habitat for a variety of native flora and fauna already calling the green space home, maintain and improve air and water quality, and increase neighboring property values to contribute to the area’s resiliency and sustainability.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the communities of Reserve, Millvale, and Shaler to work together to provide green space access to thousands of residents, improve stormwater absorption, and permanently protect a rare forest in an urban center,” said Roy Kraynyk, ALT’s VP of Land Protection.
ALT is working with the local community, the municipalities of Reserve and Millvale, and various other local, state, private, and public supporters to make this project a reality.
The area has been explored by and cared for by neighbors for years, and a network of informal trails winds through the green space passing scenic overlooks, open fields, wetland areas, and a biodiverse forest that supports a variety of logged native bird, mammal, and tree species. This green landscape is only 3.5 miles from Point State Park, and offers striking views of the Downtown skyline.
“It’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped into a secret oasis just a few strides into these woods,” Triboro Ecodistrict Director Brian Wolovich said. “Permanently protecting them would make them an incredible resource for all of our neighbors.”
The land, which touches three municipalities, would also connect thousands of other area residents with a green space. The land is within a short walk for thousands of Reserve, Shaler, and Millvale residents’ homes, a 0.2-mile walk from a Porth Authority bus route that runs through Millvale, and a 0.7-mile walk, jog, or bike ride from the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.
“By connecting our people to their public parks, we improve public health and strengthen community bonds,” State Representative Sara Innamorato said. “Community parks create the next generation of environmental stewards who will advocate for and protect our most precious public goods – our water, air, and open spaces.”
Beyond the areas benefits to stormwater retention, natural assets, and connection benefits, green space would also enhance attractiveness of Reserve Township, Millvale Borough, and Shaler Township for prospective young homebuyers as “proximity to open space” is an oft-cited factor in prospective homebuyers’ consideration of where to live. The protection of this land could also increase tax revenue while providing a community asset as proximity to green space can increase property values by 5%-30% based on distance from green space. “This is a rare opportunity for green space that would create access for so many in the surrounding communities,” Kraynyk said. “It would improve the quality of life not only for current generations, but also for generations to come.”
ALT During the Pandemic
last updated 7/1/2022
The health, wellness, and safety of all ALT visitors, volunteers, and staff are our top priority. As we continue to follow this fluid situation with COVID-19, we will adhere to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, the PA Department of Health, and local authorities.
Our conservation areas are open and available from dawn to dusk. Visitors should follow recommended guidelines.
We are hosting both virtual and in-person events. Any in-person events will be held with safety precautions in place; no walk-ins are permitted at this time. Individual participants of any pandemic-impacted events will be notified of changes or cancellations via email. Cancelled events will be rescheduled when possible.
ALT personnel are working on an adjusted schedule between home and office, and have access to email and phone messages. There may be some delay in responding, so please be patient with us.
Thank you for continuing to support ALT and please be safe and well.
The ALTeam
ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST TO PROTECT BETHEL GREEN
February 10, 2020 | For Immediate Release
Bethel Park, PA – Local non-profit land conservation organization Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) announced today that it will finalize the acquisition of 40.5 acres of woodlands in Bethel Park before March 31, 2020.
The permanent protection of this rare remaining green space along Route 88 near its intersection with Valley Drive has been ensured by ALT after working for almost a year in cooperation with the Municipality of Bethel Park, the local community, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and other supporting partners.
“We’re proud to conserve one of the largest remaining green spaces in Bethel Park for the health, well-being, and enjoyment of current residents and future generations,” said Tom Dougherty, ALT Vice President of External Affairs. “It took a real team effort, and ALT is extremely grateful for the support of local residents, Bethel Municipal Council, Senator Pam Iovino, and Representative Natalie Mihalek.”
Over the past year, ALT worked to arrange funding for the acquisition through a successful community fundraising campaign, a contribution from the Municipality of Bethel Park, and grants from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
“The permanent protection of this land is well-aligned with the Keep Bethel Green imperative as outlined in our recently completed strategic plan,” said Bethel Park Municipal Council President Tim Moury. “It will be a true asset to our community in so many ways.”
Bethel Green is within walking distance of several thousand neighbors, and features an informal network of hiking trails, remnants of the area’s mining history, and a variety of resilient plant and animal species that have recently reclaimed it as a natural space. Its protection will preserve scenic beauty, provide a close to home place for healthy exercise, absorb thousands of gallons of rainwater at the head of the flood-prone Saw Mill Run watershed, enhance local property values, and provide opportunities for historical and environmental education.
The new conservation area will be owned and managed by ALT with volunteer support from interested community members and civic organizations.
“The creation of this permanently protected green space took a collaborative effort, and we look forward to working together on an ongoing basis with friends and neighbors to make it the best it can be,” said Dougherty.
Long-time Bethel Park Ward 5 Councilman Don Harrison expressed his excitement about the success of this conservation effort.
“There have been many different proposals for the use of that land over the years,” he said, “but this one will provide a lasting benefit to Bethel Park.”
ALT will host a public event to celebrate the acquisition of the property and discuss 2020 plans and opportunities for volunteer participation:
March 11 | 6 pm – 8 pm | Cool Springs Sports Complex, 3001 Cool Springs Drive, Bethel Park, PA
All interested parties are welcome, and are asked to RSVP at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bethel-green-meet-greet-and-plan-registration-81988013355
ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST PROTECTS LAND ALONG MONTOUR TRAIL
October 17, 2019 | For Immediate Release
Moon Township, PA – Local land conservation non-profit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) has acquired 38.5 acres of woodlands along the Montour Trail and Montour Run in Moon Township.
ALT finalized the purchase of this green space today after a year-long fundraising campaign ensuring that the natural landscape along this portion of the popular trail and stream will remain forever wild.
“This section of the Montour Valley is among the most scenic and natural parts of the entire trail, and it is also one of the most heavily used sections,” said Roy Kraynyk, ALT’s VP of Land Protection. “We and our partners in the project felt that it was critical that it be preserved in its natural state for current users and future generations.”
The conservation of this land significantly increases the amount of protected lands along the lower Montour Run corridor maintaining several miles of undeveloped trailside for the enjoyment of thousands of users each week while also mitigating downstream flooding, helping to maintain water and air quality, preserving contiguous wildlife habitat and enhancing nearby property values.
ALT enlisted the support of the Montour Trail Council and the Hollow Oak Land Trust to raise awareness and funding for the project and received significant grant support from the Garden Club of Allegheny County, the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation, and anticipated support from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Members of the local community also rallied to raise more than $20,000 for the project.
“Conservation projects like this take real collaboration and broad-based support and we are grateful to our partners and all of our supporters who helped to make this happen,” said Kraynyk.
Garden Club of Allegheny County president Delia Egan said “Our mission at Garden Club is to promote conservation, prudent civic planning and community horticultural activities, and we felt that this conservation project aligns well with each of these goals. We are pleased to be able to provide grant support to such a beneficial community project to protect the region’s natural beauty and ensure permanent habitat for native flora and fauna.”
Linda Mckenna Boxx, Chairperson of the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation concurs.
“Conserving land along trail corridors preserves the natural experience for trail users while also protecting the trails themselves from slides and flooding,” Boxx said. “We are pleased to support the Allegheny Land Trust in protecting this special and popular portion of the Montour Trail and nearby Montour Run.”
The new conservation area, located around milepost one on the Montour Trail, does not have any formal trails at this time, but is open for public exploration.
June 19 Community Meeting, Big Sewickley Creek
June 1, 2019
For Immediate Release
PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT BY LOCAL NONPROFIT FOR WATERSHED PLANNING PROJECT
Sewickley, PA – Local land conservation nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) invites the residents surrounding the Big Sewickley Creek Watershed to attend a June 19, 2019 community meeting surrounding the “Rivers Conservation and Stewardship Plan”, which it launched in Spring 2019.
Hosted by ALT and consultants from Pashek + MTR, the meeting will provide community members with a description, update, and opportunity for ideas and comments on the planning process for this watershed.
“Water is a vital resource, one that we all enjoy, but one whose importance is often overlooked,” Community Conservation Director Alyson Fearon said. “We’re launching this effort, so we can later apply the tool belt of land conservation to address water quality, flooding, recreation opportunities, land use, and other issues that may come to light in this watershed. And because the project resulted from conversations with community members, we’re hosting this meeting to ensure the plan is created with their concerns, goals, and ideas in-mind.”
The purpose of the plan is to provide a better public understanding of the watershed’s natural and cultural assets, identify threats to water quality and property due to flooding, recommend resolutions to competing interests, and prioritize opportunities to maintain the watershed as a beautiful and healthy place to reside and recreate.
ALT is also seeking input from residents of the watershed area prior to the meeting, whether or not the individual is attending. Please find a map of the watershed on page two of this release. Those who wish to provide input can do so here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G5NT9GL
Big Sewickley Creek Watershed Community Meeting
WHEN: June 19, 2019 | 6:30-8:00 P.M.
WHERE: Marshall Township Municipal Building
525 Pleasant Hill Road | Wexford, PA | 15090
*Parking and entrance at the back of the building
RSVP encouraged but not required:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-sewickley-creek-community-meeting-registration-62954439423
Facebook Event Link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2206847456057974/
Plan webpage:
New Year, New Green Spaces, New Record
February 5, 2019
For Immediate Release
ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST POSTS RECORD YEAR FOR CONSERVATION
Sewickley, PA – The completion of several conservation acquisitions in early January wrapped-up an extremely active year for Allegheny Land Trust (ALT). The local, land conservation non-profit celebrated its 25th anniversary year by protecting or putting under contract for protection 411 acres of green space across ten projects in seven different Allegheny County municipalities in 2018. This was a record number of new conservation areas created in a single year and increased the total acreage under ALT’s protection to more than 2,500.
“These projects serve as excellent examples of how our quarter century of land protection work is beginning to create vital connections to existing green space in the region,” said ALT VP of Land Protection Roy Kraynyk.
Many of the newly acquired green spaces create immediate or potential connections to existing green space. Land protected in Monroeville expanded ALT’s existing Mosside Slopes conservation area and connected it to Monroeville Park East; parcels acquired in Hampton Township are adjacent to or near North Park, in Franklin Park property was acquired that is across the street from the municipality’s Acorn Park; an ALT acquisition in Bell Acres connects to the community ball park complex, and a project soon to close in Moon will create wooded buffer along the Montour Trail and provide access to Montour Run.
In a time when Allegheny County is losing more than 2,000 acres of green space each year to development, the nonprofit is working to protect lands like these to address some of the region’s most pressing issues by protecting air, water, and wildlife habitat quality; preventing flooding, landslides, and combined sewer overflow (CSO) and creating opportunities for food security, recreation, and environmental education.
“We’re urgently working to do more to help enhance the quality of life for all in our region by protecting one of its defining assets: nature,” Kraynyk said.
ALT already has four projects totaling 142 acres under contract for protection in 2019 and anticipates more to arise as the year progresses. The land trust currently protects more than 2,500 acres of green space in 30 municipalities across the Pittsburgh region.
To learn more about ALT’s existing protected green space and upcoming projects, visit the nonprofit’s website at alleghenylandtrust.org.
New Land Project: Montour Greenway Expansion
In partnership with the Montour Trail Council and Hollow Oak Land Trust, we’re ensuring that the Montour Trailside remains green for current and future generations.
At ALT, we protect our region’s remaining green resources in response to rampant development that is far outpacing our region’s population growth. We’ve protected more than 2,400 acres of green space, and every resident of Allegheny County now lives within 12 miles of one of our conservation areas. While our work has significantly improved and ensured the protection of green space in our region, we have much left to do.
Help us protect 38.5 acres along the Montour Trail by supporting this project and sharing the news with a friend.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE: KEEP THE MONTOUR TRAIL GREEN
If you’ve walked, run, or biked the Montour Trail you know that part of what makes your experience so special is the scenic landscape through which the trail passes. The gurgling streams, wooded hillsides, and lush valleys are part of our region’s unique natural heritage, and no matter the season the trail and its surroundings provide a much-welcomed respite from the nearby noise, asphalt, and traffic for thousands of users each day. People of all ages, interests, and abilities have come to count on the trail and its surroundings as their place to experience nature, exercise, spend time with family, friends, and pets, or simply enjoy quiet time.
We are particularly fortunate here in the Moon Township area because we have a portion of the trail that is uniquely rustic and scenic following Montour Run as it makes its way toward the Ohio River. Wildlife and wildflowers abound, the dense woods and clean stream combine to make it a very special corridor.
It could be easy to take these wonderfully-wooded surroundings for granted–to assume that since they have always been here they will always be here to provide the scenic beauty, clean water, fresh air, quiet tranquility, wildlife habitat, and close-to-home outdoor recreation that make this a very special place to live. But we simply do not have that luxury. Residential, commercial, and energy development is threatening our green space at an intensifying rate, so we cannot assume that “our” part of the trail will always be the way it is today.
We need look no further than a few miles up the trail to witness how over-development of the trailside landscape can degrade the trail experience forever.
It is for this reason that Allegheny Land Trust (in collaboration with the Montour Trail Council and the Hollow Oak Land Trust) is working to permanently protect 38.5 wooded, trail front, stream front acres in the Montour Run Valley. This land (shown in red on this map) is a key piece of the puzzle to protect remaining green space in the valley and connect with other protected lands (shown in shades of green and beige) to create a contiguous and permanent greenway to be enjoyed today and by future generations. ALT has this special property under contract to purchase if we can raise the necessary funds before the end of the year.
In addition to scenic and recreational benefits, protecting this land would help to mitigate trail and downstream flooding, maintain air and water quality, preserve contiguous wildlife habitat, and further enhance nearby property values.
We have a unique opportunity to work together to make a real and visible difference! A total of $180,000 is needed to protect this land for current and future generations. ALT currently has pending grants totaling $90,000 from PA state agencies, and commitments of $70,000 from local foundations and other sources, leaving a gap of $20,000 needed from the community to protect this key parcel forever. Additionally, portions of the state grants noted above are dependent upon us raising these local matching dollars. We need your help!
Please help us to seize the opportunity to protect these 38.5 acres of trailside Moon Township green space forever by making your tax-deductible contribution to the Montour Greenway Expansion project on our online donation form.
Thank you for acting urgently to help us make a difference!
Sincerely,
| Roy Kraynyk
VP of Land Protection Allegheny Land Trust |
Sean Brady
Executive Director Hollow Oak Land Trust |
Dennis Pfeiffer President Montour Trail Council
|
MAKE A DIFFERENCE, MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION
2018 RALLY Haul from the Hollow Ride
WPRDC & ALT Release Tool for Public Access
Sewickley, PA – Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) and the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center (WPRDC) have just launched Urban Greenprint, an interactive online regional mapping tool that will guide urban greening priorities.
Urban Greenprint features a number of land use data sets from public-sector, non-profit and private organizations, and makes them available for public use.
“The tool is an intersectional analysis of the status of all Pittsburgh-area land parcels that is equally accessible to all organizations and individuals,” ALT community conservation director Alyson Fearon said. “It offers opportunities for public engagement and self-education that we hope empowers residents working on land use challenges to take action in protecting their community green spaces.”
Users of Urban Greenprint can view environmental data on a map and interact with regularly-updated information about properties in Allegheny County. It is powered by the regional data sharing infrastructure provided by the WPRDC. In addition to developing and hosting the tool, data featured in Urban Greenprint is also available as open data on the WPRDC’s website.
“The convergence of strong economic, social, cultural and environmental factors presents the Pittsburgh region with a transformational land use management opportunity that is unparalleled in recent times,” Fearon said. “Local economic expansion is spurring development in parts of the city and county, benefitting many residents while potentially leaving others behind. Visionary, community-supported land-use decisions will be needed to best address these issues and maximize opportunities for all the region’s residents.”
ALT hopes Urban Greenprint empowers residents to make their communities more resilient by addressing apparent opportunities to effect community and environmental issues including recreation opportunity, neighborhood revitalization, urban green space preservation, urban gardening/farming, and remediation of issues like flooding, combined sewer overflow, landslides and air quality. This map helps to outline where opportunities to preserve environmentally sensitive and important properties are greatest.
Some ways individuals could make use of this data are by utilizing it to reach out to individuals whose properties are suitable for use as green infrastructure, to identify opportunities to turn vacant land into community gardens or other neighborhood assets or spark a discussion about risks in developing flood or landslide-prone properties.
The Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center provides a shared, inclusive infrastructure for open data. The project is managed by the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Urban and Social Research, in partnership with Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh. Staff associated with the Regional Data Center manage a shared community open data portal, automate data feeds from publishers, and build tools that make use of the data. The project team also organizes a wide array of events and activities, and provides technical assistance in the use of data in its role as a civic data intermediary. The Regional Data Center is a partner in the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership, a network of civic data intermediaries in over 30 cities managed by the Urban Institute.
This comprehensive and innovative tool is now available at http://tools.wprdc.org/urban-greenprint/