On September 28, the Allegheny Land Trust announced the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded a $300,000 grant to the Trust for the acquisition of the 46.2 acre Reserve/Shaler Land Conservation Project.

The Reserve sits within the Girty’s Run Watershed in Reserve and Shaler Townships, upslope and upstream from Millvale Borough and near downtown Pittsburgh.

“We appreciate DCNR’s support of this project, and also appreciate the assistance from the elected officials and community leaders who helped to make this funding happen,” ALT President & CEO Chris Beichner said. “This funding will allow us to continue full steam ahead with community awareness and fundraising efforts.”

The collaborative “Reserve/Shaler Land Conservation Project” will preserve the natural scenic beauty and environmental benefits of this highly visible hilltop land, enabling it to continue absorbing 38 million gallons of rainwater and sequestering 186,000 pounds of carbon annually.

This critical project will mitigate Girty’s Run flooding, combat climate change, and support air quality, while expanding the amount of permanently conserved and connected habitat for wildlife and plants, create connection opportunities with ALT’s nearby Girty’s Woods conservation area, contribute to municipal pollution abatement requirements, and proactively address community and regional resiliency through conservation.

ALT currently has the property under exclusive contract to purchase and permanently protect contingent upon its ability to raise the $650,500 necessary by December 2022.

Additional grant requests are pending, and discussions are on-going with potential corporate sponsors and other funders to close the gap.

The recent DCNR grant coupled with funds raised by more than 120 local residents pushes the current total raised to more than $313,795.

“This is a unique opportunity to improve existing green space that does heavy lifting for the community’s environmental resiliency while also sustaining the site’s historic agricultural use,” Beichner said. “We look forward to continuing efforts with the residents of Reserve, Shaler and Millvale to protect yet another piece of land in their community.”

Those interested in supporting the conservation project can choose “Reserve/Shaler Conservation Project” on ALT’s online donation form.

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming educational programs and other events, visit the Allegheny Land Trust website.  Click Here to read the Trust’s most recent newsletter.  Click Here to add your email to their mailing list.  Click Here to support their work.

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[Posted: September 28, 2022]

10/3/2022