VISTAS AN ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST PUBLICATION | 2017 Q1

Newsletter Content A YEAR IN REVIEW: 2016 2 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TEAM & DMH NEWS 3 DONOR RECOGNITION LIST, JOIN OUR BOARD 4-8 NOTES FROM THE LAND 9 EVENTS CALENDAR 10 MEET A STEWARD 11 2016: A Year to Remember by Chris Beichner | President & CEO We won’t soon forget 2016. Just looking at the infographic tells a ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST lot about our accomplishments over the past year. We were busy. 2016 IN REVIEW We accomplished a lot. We are happy with our results. But, the statistics do not tell the entire story, and we’re certainly not done reaching for our goals. Here are a few other ways that made 2016 4 NEW CONSERVATION OF 121 a year we won’t soon forget. AREAS ACRES In August 2016, ALT was officially notified of our national re-ac- protecting sequestering absorbing creditation status by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. Out of 1,700 land trusts nationwide, we are only one of 350 land CO2 trusts that are nationally accredited. The accreditation status sig- nifies to landowners, funders, and partners that we are committed 40,000 Trees 500,000 lbs 104M gal. of Carbon of Rainwater to a high standard of excellence in all aspects of our operations ALT’s volunteered donated and programming. We began our re-accreditation process in 2015, five years af- ter the original accreditation. It took us 18 months, five rounds of review, and more than 400 hours of time to complete the “audit” 574 5,039 $115,903 Volunteers Hours of In-Kind review of our communication, documentation, and decision pro- Investment cesses. removed planted completed Our renewed accreditation will not expire until August 2021. Here’s to another five years of high standards! This year also saw the launch of our new environmental educa-

3,747 lbs 3,000 2.5 miles tion team. In June 2016, ALT hired two certified teachers from The of Trash Trees of Trail Outdoor Classroom, which closed its doors in June. We also hired several part-time program facilitators to help bring our program- 1 New Ran Educated ming to various classrooms, scout camps, after-school programs, municipal parks, and our own conservation areas. Since June, we have provided programming to more than 5,000 children, adoles- Environmental 56 2,380 cents, and adults. Our goals are to provide programming at more Education Programs Students of our conservation areas and to bring new types of programming Team & 3,076 Community through unique partnerships. Members Finally, our conservation and stewardship teams have been as busy as ever protecting more land, preparing conservation ease- ments, managing a legion of volunteers, and completing various habitat projects. This past year saw us and our variety of great 948 Donors partners come even closer to protecting Hays Woods in the City raised of Pittsburgh to ensure that site becomes a future City park. Our $1.3M for ALT’s work stewardship team has organized numerous volunteer events plant- Allowing for us to have the roots to grow all of the above projects, volunteers, and accomplishments. ing trees, restoring habitats, removing invasive species, and main- Now, every Allegheny County resident is within taining trails. And as new land is protected, our team explores the 12 miles of an ALT conservation area. best management practices for each conservation area, compiling what they learn into a management plan. thank you! 2016 was a year to remember, but we can only look back for so long. With 2017 upon us, we have set our sights on the next best project, looking for great partnerships, and of course, looking forward to seeing you outside exploring or volunteering at a green space near you. For more information, e-mail Chris at [email protected]. 2 Making a Connection through Local Water by Jessica Kester | VP of Education “Odd,” passersby may have thought on that cool Saturday morning in May as they witnessed a dozen 6th grade students and their parents eagerly peering at Chartiers Creek yelling, “Go, Hercules! Go!” For the teachers, parents, and Harrison Middle School 6th graders, though, it was the culmination of months of learning. ALT’s Environmental Education Team had been working with these students for months, teaching them about macroinvertebrates, water quality, water pollution, and other bodies of water. All of this aimed to help them determine if the little trout fingerlings they were releasing that day would survive in the creek waters at the Wingfield Pines Conservation Area. Through grant funding from the Department of Environmental Protection and support from the Baldwin-Whitehall School Dis- trict, the students were able to raise Trout In The Classroom, and bring in ALT to do hands-on water conservation education programs with the students over the course of the school year. It’s activities like this—the trout release and leaf-pack macroinvertebrate stud- ies—that leave the students with lasting impressions on land and water conser- vation. These hands-on activities build a sense of responsibility and care in the students today to make them better land owners tomorrow. This is why we’re eager to bring more environmental education programming to more students and adults: Photo by Jessica Kester. Students to build a better, more healthy green future for us all. release trout into Chartiers Creek. For more information, e-mail Jessica at [email protected]. From Industrial Site to Wild Plant Sanctuary

(LEFT) Photo by Lindsay Dill. A patch of Trillium from May 2016 on a steep slope. (RIGHT) Photo by Keri Rouse. ALT VP of Land Resources Emilie Rzotkiewicz surveys Dead Man’s Run headwaters. by Keri Rouse | Community Coordinator 200 acres of interior forest – habitat implementing management recommen- Too often, we see our treasured natu- that can support some of the state’s rare dations to both enhance recreational op- ral areas fall victim to development, dis- and threatened plants – the Hollow was portunities at the Hollow and better the use, misuse and other threats. designated as a part of the Wild Plant unique spaces and habitats found there. At Dead Man’s Hollow Conservation Sanctuary Program by Pennsylvania’s Keep an eye on our website calendar Area, the opposite has happened as the Department of Conservation and Natural for details about a May 7 wildflower once-industrial site transformed over Resources (DCNR) this January. hike to celebrate the Hollow’s Wild Plant the years into a biologically diverse con- DCNR developed the Wild Plant Sanc- Sanctuary designation as well as views servation area, home to an array of flora tuary Program to recognize private land- of the blooms. including Trillium, Virginia Bluebells, and owners for conserving and providing For more information, e-mail Keri at Jack in the Pulpit. Touting more than habitat for native plant species. ALT is [email protected]. 3 Thank You for Your Support in 2016 More than $100,000 $10,000-$49,999 $5,000-$9,999 Allegheny Regional Asset District Heinz Endowments Allegheny Financial Group Colcom Foundation Donna L. Kipp Blumling & Gusky, LLP PA Department of Conservation and Mr. & Mrs. John Lenzner EQT Foundation Natural Resources Massey Charitable Trust Jeremy Kubica Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny The Pittsburgh Foundation Thomas Marshall Foundation County PNC Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. McCargo Richard King Mellon Foundation Stanny Foundation Steve & Brenda Schlotterbeck Dave & Sally Wade Talisman Energy W.P. Snyder III Charitable Foundation PPG Industries Foundation $1,000-$4,999 Lisa D. Steagall & R. W. Allebach First National Bank North Allegheny Intermediate School Anonymous Fund 11 Google Inc. Student Council BNY Mellon Community Partnership Robin Hummel-Johnson Brian O’Brien Suzanne Broughton Independent Controllers Ray & Elsa Parker Tom & Julie Browand David Immonen & Kathleen Davis Stephen Quick & Karen Sloneker Jonathan & Ellen Caulkins Laurie & Rick Johnson William Recker Ann B. Coburn Manning Napier Foundation The Sprout Fund Suzannah Dalzell Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. Tim & Carrie Stanny Earthshare Jessica Mooney Williams Coulson Johnson Lloyd Parker Henry & Mary Ewalt & Tedesco LLC

$500-$999 Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Abell First American Title Insurance Company Sharran & Gary Novak Kenneth & Jennie Barker Wildlife Friends of Wingfield Pines Maryanne & Bob Purdy Preservation Fund Google Matching Gifts Program Stefan von Rintelen Confluence Financial Partners Stanley & Jill Herman Mr. & Mrs. Preston W. Shimer Jaimes C. Contreras Highmark Matching Funds Sisterson & Co. LLP George H. & Susan D. Craig Fund Roy Kraynyk Donna Wine Sylvia Dallas & John C. Oliver III Paula M. Lockhart Jeaneen Zappa Martha & Richard Munsch $250-$499 Amshel Charitable Foundation Peggy & Bill Kipp Seth Porter David Berman Scott & Joanne Kovaloski Jeffrey Quirke Mr. & Mrs. Fitzhugh L. Brown Brian McBane Joseph M. & Page C. Ritchey Charitable James L Cosgrove Lynn & William McIlroy Fund Sigo Falk Sally & Steve McVeigh Sharon R. Roseman & Paul M. Palevsky Mrs. Ronald E. Gebhardt Hazel & Simon Merrills Mr. & Mrs. William Roemer Margaret S. Gilfillan Alan S. & Patricia A. Miller Sally S. Ruffin Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Goff David Mylet Mr. & Mrs. Howard H. Shockey Robert Gordon Robert & Vicki Nebes Frank & Susan Simons Christine Graziano Mr. & Mrs. David Nimick Marguerite Standish Michael & Paula Heinricher Shirley Olander Hayes & Patricia Stover The Hillman Company James H. Oliver Henry & Karen Thorne Jill Hollingshead & William Rorison Robert Opat & Lou Ann Kinol John & Lindsay Totten Scott Holquist Laura & Tom Pangburn Mr. & Mrs. John W. Ubinger, Jr. Craig & Frances Kinney Robert & Christine Pietrandrea Linda Young

4 $100-$249 Peter Argentine Martha & Jim Haines Ron Painter Dr. & Mrs. Alan Axelson Jeanne Haury Kevin & Marguerite Park Mr. Sherman D. Bailey Beth & Bob Hedin Bill & Dolly Paul Jack & Valerie Baker Albert Heinricher Steve Pietropaoli & Amy Lovell Benefits Network Alice Hickey Sharon Pillar Tingle & Richard Barnes Jane & Larry Hitchins Dorothy & Neal Pollon Elizabeth Bernens Timothy Hogan Drs. Cindy & Rob Potter Barbara W. Bonnett Howard Horstman & Laura Marshall Charles & Carol Prenn Mark Bowers & Loree Speedy Mary & John Hotchkiss Karen Ranick Sean Brennan John & Nancy Hurley Scott Rasmussen Marcia McNutt Brissett Brian Jensen Mary & Clark Remington The Brodine Family Dr. Sherwood Johnson Jory & Melanie Richman Frank & Laurie Bruns Sharon A. Kimble George & Marie Rodgers The Ann & Frank Cahouet Foundation Dr. & Mrs. Milton, and Lynn Klein Joy Sabl Bill Carson Andy & Ginny Komer Michael & Janice Scherer Sally Ann & Joseph Cortese Janice Koopmans Theresa & Edward Schroth John & Noreen Coyne Mr. & Mrs. Robert Kopf Bob Seltmann George & Susan Craig Thomas Kopf Harton Semple James Crockard Kathleen Kovacs The Sewickley Hunt Marian Crossman Richard Kubia Shaler Garden Club Harold & Linda Deiss Charles & Janine Kulbacki David & Nina Shevchik Dell Inc. Rich & Lois Kulbacki Steven Shultz Dollar Bank Foundation Mark Lacey John & Holly Sipes Mary Donovan & Curt Helffenstein Sherye & Don Lammers Gene Sachs Smith Tom & Sarah Dougherty Robert & Amy Lang Joseph Smith Judith & Stephen Downing Thomas Larrimer Roger & Linda Smith

J.G. Dropcho Kenneth LaSota & Rebecca Stanhope Mark & Jackie Speedy Beth Dutton William Lawrence III Susana & David Steppan Sally Edison Elsie Y. Lewis Mr. & Mrs. John A. Straka, III Mr. & Mrs. Richard B. Elste Susan Luebbert & Christopher Hill Diane & Patrick Strollo Robert & Sharon Erdlen Rhonda & Kerry Madden Renee & Henry Suhr Benjamin & Lisa Ewing August & Diane Mantia Michael Super Bob Fadden John & Susan Marano Julie Tedjeske Russell Feingold Susan Marshall Trowel & Error Garden Club John Flannigan Howard & Shirly McIlvried E. H. Unger Al Fleckenstein Arthur McNair United Health Group John & Susan Frantz Homer & Barbara Mehring The Vaders Family Mary Louise & Doug Fowkes Joseph Meier & Katherine Ke Heidi Vangorder Ronald Frank Douglas Meredith Tammy Vargo James Funderburgh Patrick & Valentina Miller Ted Vuchinich, Ginny Balderston Garden Club of Allegheny County Betty & John Moraca & Family William Getty Diana & Jeffrey Morrow Jessica & John Walliser Greye & Karin Glass John & Kathy Murphy Tom Wanko GlaxoSmithKline Mr. & Mrs. Dan Naumann Timothy & Annette Watkins David Goss Mr. & Mrs. David Noyes Marvin Wedeen Terry Gossard Martin E. O’Brien Timothy & Susan White Paul Griffith Christine O’Lare & Ian Lindsay Mary W. Wilson Barbara & Gary Grosch James & Rosemary O’Neill Barbara Zupcic Arthur Guzzetti Over the Bar Bicycle Cafe Up to $100 Jerry Angelo George Balderose Joanne P. Boyd Jason Albright Jennie Bartlett Karen Brock Allison Park Sportsmens Club Tony Battilana Andrew & Colleen Brown Tom & Marjorie Armstrong Mr. & Mrs. Don Black Pat Brown Jeanine Ayers Justin & Whitney Bertram Paul M. Brown Karen Bagnato Glenn Bohn Carol Broz 5 . . . Continued up to $100 Julia Bubanovich Thomas Headley Steven & Denise Mironov Robert & Kathleen Buck Paul Heckbert Jason & Emily Mohr Raquel Buranosky Todd E. Hipwell Bill Moul The Butson Family Benjamin Hitmar Anna Moulton James Callan & Carol Adele Weitz Ivan Hofmann Richard & Marilyn Myers Mr. & Mrs. Richard Carrier Millie Holland Ron & Lucy Nacey John Carson Lorraine Hoolahan Ralph Natale Ronald Casper Carol Hoover Philip & Eileen Neubauer Mr. & Mrs. Gary Chace Thomas Hosey Matthew Newingham Chartiers Animal Hospital Mike & Patricia Houck North Fayette Garden Club Harold Cook Mr. & Mrs. Arthur J. Innamorato Gerald & Donna Novelli Laura & Ron Coombs Chris Irwin Daniel & Lisa Nydick Abby Jo Corbin Kenneth Janowitz Mr. Daniel O’Malley Deborah Coy Thomas Jewart Matthew Opdyke Sally Crawford & Tom Roncevich Ken & Barb Johns Nancy Page Jean Daniels Finn & Lisa Johnson Linda Paine Edward Darney Sue & Jim Johnson John Parks Sally Dawson Graham & Marilyn Johnstone Michael & Shannon Poleta David & Nancy DePace Matthew Juskowich Brady Porter Francis Denes Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Kamin Evelyn G. Rader Lindsay Dill Jane Kaminski Grace Rader Irene J. Dinning David & Deborah Kapp Trinidad Regaspi Mark T. Dixon George & Judith Kasten Patricia Renwick

Thomas & Judith Donohue Donald & Marlene King Kathleen Reuter Eleanor Dvorsky & John Metcalf Paul King Wayne & Lisa Reutzel Hugh Downing Ken Knapp Steven & Barbara Rieker Sharon Eakes Susan Knoebel Michelle Roberts William Ebertshauser Brian & Kim Koah Kenneth Robinson Linda & Jim Edson Chip Kraynyk Marjorie Robinson Raymond Egger Bryan Labuda David Rohm Laura Ellis Charles Lawton Alice Ronk & James Graham Mark Etzi Thomas Leahy Betty Rowland Betty Evans John Lednak Michael Sambroak Janet Fesq Mr. & Mrs. John L. Liebenguth Elizabeth Santos Dr. & Mrs. Robert Fidoten Jeremy Lockhart Dave & Kathy Sauers Michael & Joan Foran Jane Lutinski Joan & Cliff Schoff First Energy Foundation Jad Mahsoob Rick & Christy Semple Richard Flaus Matt Mainhart Chris Seymour The Flayer Family Joseph Makowski, Jr Sandy & Doug Shuck Don & Molly Fogel Fiorella & Paulita Malit Victor & Patricia Siclari Dolores Frank Marisa Manheim Susan Simmers Paul Garlicki Larry Markle Beth Simons Ingram The Gavigan-Browne Family Elizabeth Marshall John Sipes Tim & Julianne Giegel Jim Maslanka Peggy Slota Jim & Carol Godkins Cynthia A. McClain Mr. & Mrs. John Smalstig Ken Goebel Suzanne L. McCoy Albert Smith & Linda Berardelli Paul Good David & Jeanette McDevitt Kevin Snyder Sherri & Court Gould Christina McNamara Nancy J. Snyder Stephen & Nancy Graham Patrick V. McShea Thomas & Deborah Stackrow William & Christine Graham Pamela C. Meade Nancy & Paul Stadnik Klaus Gross Joann Menzer Linda Stafford Janice & John Haltigan Judy Mermigas Mary Ann Stahlheber Charles & Nancy Hamilton Jacquelyn Mershon Judy & James Stark Cecelia Hard Harry Mertz Bruce & Mary Stefanko Patricia W. Hare Ed & Carol Mertz Matthew & Jennifer Steenson Chris & Iris Harlan Dan Meyer Robert Steffes 6 . . . Continued up to $100 Brenden & Rachel Stokes Mandy Ticknor Mark R. Wasko William & Karen Stotler Bruce & Lynn Titus Joseph & Debra Weimer Lora Stumpf Monika & Joe Tomko Lou & Amy Weiss Michele Taylor David Torrey Matt Wholey Robin Teets William Tunney Roy Wiegand Joseph & Deborah Thomas Natalie Uschner-Arroyo Allan & Christine Williams Richard & Carol Thompson Marge Vance John H. Wilson Shannon Thompson Kevin & Patricia Vunak Dominic Wyzomirski Carol Thomson John Warren William & Louise Zinn In-Kind Donors Marcy Cendroski Holly Muir Thomas J. Valiknac, P.E. Blair Cessna Ross Township Wall-to-Wall Studios Laurie & Rick Johnson JoAnn Rouse Wild Excellence Films LMS Greenhouse & Nursery Steel City Ghost Hunters 500+ Volunteers In Honor Of Henry W. Ewalt, Esq. in honor of Andrew & Kim Patterson David Sauers in honor of Patricia Sauers Ronald Frank in honor of Marsha Frank Sally & Steve McVeigh in honor of John Oliver Ivan Hofmann in honor of Bram Johnson & Carol Kraynyk James H. Oliver in honor of John Oliver Carol Hoover in honor of Sherman & Cenetta Hoover Marguerite Standish in honor of John Oliver Elizabeth Marshall in honor of Alice Marshall Elsa Zollars in honor of Jean Wright Howard Horstman & Laura Marshall in honor of Alice Marshall

In Memory Of Chris & Diane Abell in memory of Ann Coburn Robin Hummel-Johnson in memory of Ann Coburn Yves Alarie in memory of Micheline Alarie Janice Koopmans in memory of John Hamm Pat Brown in memory of Chad Brown Ron & Lucy Nacey in memory of Jerome Emmett Nacey John Burdick in memory of Becky Burdick Brenden & Rachel Stokes in memory of Rowan Stokes George H. & Susan D. Craig Fund in memory of Ann Coburn Dave & Sally Wade in memory of Ann Coburn Sharon Eakes in memory of Hal Williamson Weber Family Revocable Trust in memory of Mark Weber Robert & Sharon Erdlen in memory of Natalie Wain Roy Wiegand in memory of Howie & Bif Martha Haines in memory of Ann Coburn Linda Zitcovich in memory of John Zitcovich Todd Hipwell in memory of Harry Hipwell

Bradford Woods Conservancy Donors Sylvia & Bob Affleck Ruth Ann & Tom Demianczyk Lorraine Houston Yves Alarie William & Mary Dobson Mary Jane & David Huggins Lisa D. Steagall & R. W. Allebach The Dominion Foundation Ann & James Jenkins Robert & Inta Anticole Robert & Aimee Downing Ned Jenkins Doug & Amy Atkinson Tom Dubois Arthur Kasson Karen Bagnato Paul Fackler George & Judith Kasten Mr. & Mrs. Robert Baierl, Jr. Gerald E. Feldman Revocable Trust Cheryl Kello Bob & Cathy Baierl Martha & Frank Finley Rob & Meghan King David & Lisa Baldonieri David & Maria First Peggy & Bill Kipp Betsy & John Baun Christopher & Karen Fitting Dr. Brad Klueber Charlene & Joe Beck Janet Foreman Juliet & Jonathan Krassenstein Berry Vine Gifts LLC Greye & Karin Glass Paul J. Kunowski William & Erin Blechman William & Christine Graham Paul & Kathleen Lagnese Karen Brock Diana Greenberg Sherye & Don Lammers John Burdick Mark Hale & Paula Lodge Ray & Joyce Lewis Charles & Molly Coltharp John & Catherine Herbert Anthony & Dana LoChiatto Betsy & Glen Chatfield W.R. Hess & Eloise L. Hess Mr. & Mrs. Curtis W. Marsh Tracey Cullen Paula P. Hinston Kathy Masciola Kent & Merle Culley Jean Hipwell June & Terry McCartney 7 . . . continued Bradford Woods Conservancy Donors Marge McClintock Dale Newman Beth A. Stuijfzand Roger McIntyre & Family Christopher Passione Luann & Donald Tacznosky Conor & Michele McKenzie Paul & Gwen Phillips Jane Tamulonis Melinda & Jim Meighen Linda J. Philpott Bill & Marialena Thoma Dan Michelmore & Abigail Marusic Gretchen & Jack Pinkerton Mike & Shannon Thomas Kathy D. Mole Gary Price & Beth McCandless Carol Thomson Ray & Ginger Morris Ila Jeanne Sensenich Edmund Tillotson & Lia Pardis F. Harvey Morse Janet & John Sinclair Mike McGarry & Barbara Tischler Deborah Moses Bob & Jane Slagter Ben & Jaime Titus Richard & Sally Mowrey Mr. & Mrs. Michael A. Slater Bruce & Lynn Titus Muhlenkamp Family Mr. Richard Smith Joe & Jason Uhler Sandra & Robert Murray Stevie Smith Beth Weber Paul & Margie Myers Nancy J. Snyder Donald & Mary Williams Mary Nast Carol & Bruno Solari Karen & Steve Wirth Philip & Eileen Neubauer Linda & John Zitcovich

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT! We do our best to run accurate reports to list all of our donors; sometimes human and technological errors get in the way. If you were a 2016 donor, but do not see your name listed, please contact us so we can recognize your support. Make A Difference: Join Our Board

Photo by Lindsay Dill. ALT volunteers take an amphibian identification hike at Wingfield Pines during a Bioblitz event. by Chris Beichner | President & CEO your time to the cause of land con- self to ALT in so many ways, and Volunteers are the heart and soul servation. we hope you’ll consider getting in- of most nonprofits. They spend Thank you for your commitment volved on another level as a mem- countless hours out in the some- to service and for supporting ALT! ber on our Board of Directors. times-extreme elements to help We are currently looking for a If you are interested, please con- an organization begin, maintain, or different type of volunteer – Board tact us to discuss the details of be- complete a project. members. By June, ALT hopes to ing an ALT Board member, and your We feel very fortunate as most add a few new faces to our gov- interest in land conservation in our of you are the best volunteers we erning body, and who better to ask region. Thank you! could ask for; You’re there when we then our dedicated supporters, do- need you. In 2016 alone, you have nors, and volunteers? For more information, e-mail Chris at contributed nearly 5,000 hours of You’ve already committed your- [email protected]. 8 notes from the land: Protecting Social & Wildlife Habitats

Photos by Lindsay Dill. (LEFT) An early spring afternoon at Linbrook Woodlands in April 2016. (RIGHT) Community mem- bers and project supporters of Linbrook Woodlands hike the trails during the May 2016 unveiling event. by Roy Kraynyk | VP of Land commonly used by land trusts when cial groups have organized around Protection & Capital Projects reporting out to our funders and con- Dead Man’s Hollow, Bradford Woods Our ecological metrics and Al- stituents about our work. Preserve, Sycamore Island, Wingfield legheny GREENPRINT often identi- However, there is another type of Pines, and, most recently, Linbrook fy which lands we should prioritize ecology that we are beginning to find Woodlands. These groups organize protecting. For example, Biological more value in tracking and measur- special outings and fundraisers to Diversity Areas (BDAs), are large ing. It’s not something that we are help care for and fund conservation land areas throughout the county aware of when we are in the evalu- area trails, natural features, and ed- that host certain species of special ation phase of project, like whether ucation. All the while, these groups concern. The plant(s) or animal(s) or not it is a BDA, nor is it something are having fun, expanding social net- making a tract of land a BDA may that we can be sure will be there after works to new friends and neighbors, be unique to the county, state, con- we acquire a property. However, it is and learning more about the impor- tinent, or even planet. So BDAs are something that may grow organically tance of local green space. targeted for protection because their over the lifecycle of a project. When A lot has been written about the ecology is diverse and intact so they it does, it morphs into its own shape, importance of the social fabric of a represent the best of the remaining character and personality. They community. It is rewarding to know natural areas. are the social networks that evolve that our work is not only protecting Our success is often measured around ALT’s conservation areas. and creating habitat for wild things, by the number of acres protected Since ALT began protecting land in it is also providing habitat that fos- in BDAs, miles of stream restored, 1993, five of these so-called “social ters social relationships for people. miles of trail constructed, or tons of networks” have formed as a result Contact us if you’d like to create carbon sequestered by trees. These of our work protecting more than your own “Friends Of” group for your objective, quantifiable metrics are 2,100 acres in 27 municipalities. So- favorite local ALT green space. For more information, e-mail Roy at [email protected]. 9 Upcoming Events Education Events Volunteer Events APRIL 10, MAY 10, JUNE 9, JULY 8 APRIL 29, JULY 8, SEPT 30 Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays Times Vary Times Vary through May & June Starlight Stroll @ Wingfield Pines Bioblitz 2 & 3 @ Wingfield Pines Environmental Education Series All ages | Fee to Register All ages @ Lauri Ann West Community Center Stroll under the light of each month’s full Join ALT staff and experts to identify vary- Ages Vary per Program | Fee to Register moon with trained education staff. Topics ing plant, animal, and fungi species, and Join our Environmental Education team vary depending on the evening’s expert, use citizen science platforms to record as they bring their lesson plans to the and can include nocturnal and crepuscu- our findings. These are part of a four-part Lauri Ann West Community Center for lar creatures, astronomy, lore, and more! bioblitz series to take place in 2017. the following series: Investigation Na- APRIL 15 | 8:30a - 4:30p ture (ages 5-10) on Mondays, Nature Birds, Blooms, & 'Shrooms Nearby (ages 18+) on Wednesdays, and location TBD Science Sprouts (ages 3-4) on Fridays. Adults & Educators | Fee to Register Investigation Nature attendees will learn Learn bird, flower, and mushroom identifi- about how to cook and who eats whom cation techniques at our workshop. Guid- in nature. Nature Nearby attendees will ed by experts, you’ll also learn how to use participate in expert-guided hands-on citizen science platforms like Project Bud- learning about a variety of nature topics Burst, iNaturalist, and eBird and to bring from Hummingbirds to the benefits of hands-on activities into your classroom. composting. Science Sprouts attendees will engage with STEM activities to learn APRIL 18, MAY 16, JUNE 20 about nature’s architecture, flora & fauna, 5:00p - 7:00p and water health. Registration & addition- #TrailTuesdays @ Dead Man's Hollow al information for these programs is on Lace up your boots, get outside, and lend the community center’s website. a hand in helping improve local land! Join MAY 2, 9, 16, & 23 | 10:30a - 11:30a us every third Tuesday (April-September) Science Sprouts Camp as we work to improve and expand the @ Wingfield Pines Hollow’s trail system. Ages 3-4 | Fee to Register APRIL 29 | 9:00a - 12:00p Sign up your young explorer to become Breaking Ground Trail Day a sprouting scientist! Our new Science @ Barking Slopes Sprouts camp immerses young learners Armed with a trail plan to expand and in nature as they interact with the natu- enhance the trails at Barking Slopes Con- ral environment through age-appropriate servation Area, we need helping hands to stories, crafts, and hikes around the many make the improvements a reality! Join us! habitats of Wingfield Pines. To register and find more information, visit our events calendar at: alleghenylandtrust.org/events/ EQT Foundation Joins Sponsorship Program by Lindsay Dill | Marketing Communications Director tact us or visit our website www.alleghenylandtrust.org. We’ll We welcome EQT as a major organizational sponsor. send you an informational packet detailing benefits of our Thanks to EQT and other recent sponsors, we met our 2016- various sponsor levels. Again, a big THANK YOU to the EQT 2017 goal for sponsorships and are continuing to strive for Foundation. more program support. Last year, sponsorships translated to funding for more than For more information, 7 community day outreach events; mushroom/bat/ghost/dog e-mail Lindsay at [email protected]. hikes, and more. This year, we’ll be expanding on-site education events for the public, including more hikes exploring macroinverte- brates, mushroom identification, plant identification, bird identification, watershed comprehension, full moon-watching, and more. If you or your company are interested in learning more, con- 10 Meet A Steward: The Allison Park Sportsmen Club

(LEFT) Photo courtesy of the Allison Park Sportsmen Club. Club members volunteer on a Pine Creek stream improvement project in August 2016 at North Park. (RIGHT) Photo by Keri Rouse. A hunter walks an ALT conservation area trail. by Lindsay Dill hunting lands, and the permitting pro- future generations so that they may have Marketing Communications Director cess. While explaining “Leave No Trace” the same experience,” APSC member Tom Stewards come from varied back- and our reasoning for allowing hunting Walsh said. grounds with varied interests: hiking, bik- – deer population management to main- While we consider ourselves open-mind- ing, canoeing, birding, horseback-riding, tain a healthy forest – we learned that for ed, even ALT staff were surprised and de- mushroom hunting, star-gazing, and hunt- members of the APSC, to use the land is lighted by this club taking on land conser- ing. Each is an explorer of the land, and we to make a promise to the environment: vation as seriously as we do. It’s rare to also consider them a user. “I give my pledge as an American to save find user groups as dedicated to valuing No matter how careful we are, though, and faithfully to defend from waste the land conservation, and we certainly didn’t users leave an impact on the land even natural resources of my country. The soil. expect to find it in a hunting-based group. if they follow the “Leave No Trace” Poli- The water. The air. The minerals. The plant Maintaining our current lands, enhanc- cy. Our avid group of volunteers helps to life and the wildlife. This is my pledge.” ing habitat for game, and protecting ad- balance the impact of people on land by This is a pledge read at each APSC ditional acres for hunting take both effort monitoring, maintaining, and improving meeting and printed in each published bi- and money, and we need your help. We our conservation areas. monthly Conservation Committee Report, hope you’ll consider volunteering or do- Hunters are often portrayed strictly as where they also report on conservation nating to aid our land protection and stew- users, so when ALT staff spoke at an Al- news affecting local ecology. ardship efforts. lison Park Sportsmen Club (APSC) meet- “As a sportsman, I spend a lot of time Contact us to learn more about getting ing, we approached them with information in the woods and on the streams of Penn- involved, invite ALT to your group meeting, on hunting permissions, details about ALT sylvania. I want to preserve all this for or share stories from your season. For more information, e-mail Caitlin at [email protected]. BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR VICE CHAIR SECRETARY TREASURER M. Damon Weiss, P.E. Robin Hummel-Johnson Jessica Mooney Brian O’Brien, CPA Sue Broughton Christine Graziano Ken LaSota, Ph.D. Fred Brown David Hunter Ray Parker, Esq. Beth Dutton Laurie Johnson Steve Schlotterbeck STAFF Chris Beichner Lindsay Dill Tom Dougherty President & CEO Marketing Communications Director Vice President of Development & External Affairs Julie Halyama Jessica Kester Roy Kraynyk Keri Rouse Development Associate Vice President of Education Vice President of Land Community Coordinator Protection & Capital Projects Emilie Rzotkiewicz Caitlin Seiler Julie Travaligni Vice President of Land Director of Volunteer Education Program Resources & Land Resources Director 11 Allegheny Land Trust 416 Thorn Street Sewickley, PA 15143

ABOUT ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST Keep in Touch with ALT Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) is an independent, non-profit organization that has been helping local people save lo- cal land in the Pittsburgh region for nearly a quarter of a alleghenylandtrust allegheny-land-trust century. @alleghenylandtr alleghenylandtr Founded in 1993, ALT has protected more than 2,100 acres of green space preserving our region’s unique natural beauty, providing enhanced outdoor recreational opportu- @alleghenylandtr AlleghenyLandTrust nities, improving water quality, fostering biodiversity, and enhancing the overall quality of life for our communities. AlleghenyLandTrust [email protected] ALT’s areas of strategic priority include Land Conserva- tion, Stewardship, Education, and Urban Greening. alleghenylandtrust.org 412-741-2750 ALT’s mission has expanded in recent years to include in- novative methods of land conservation in support of com- munity needs for urban green space as well the addition of a professional environmental education team teaching Please recycle or reuse this newsletter when you’re finished -- children of all ages to understand and appreciate the nat- share it with a friend, use it in a Spring collage, etc. ural world. Email us with your creative reuse of Vistas!

With conservation areas in 27 municipalities, there is now Vistas is underwritten by an anonymous donor. Thank you! an ALT conservation project within 12 miles of every Al- legheny County resident. The benefits of ALT’s efforts ©Allegheny Land Trust 2017. can be experienced across the region from McKeesport to Franklin Park, Upper St. Clair to Blawnox, Mt. Washington FFP’s Combined to Plum, and many places in between. Federal Code is 62348 Printed on Recycled Material.