On June 6, the Allegheny Land Trust announced it has 24 acres of land under contract for protection as a permanent green space in Ross Township along Lowries Run Road.

Directly adjacent to both ALT’s existing Lowries Run Slopes Conservation Area and to Ross Township’s Marion Doulton Green Space, the conservation of these woodlands would create a 67-acre contiguous greenway in a busy suburban setting.

“This project creates an amazing potential to expand the benefits of our already-conserved Lowries Run Conservation Area by protecting this land and connecting to Ross Township’s property,” said ALT’s President & CEO Chris Beichner.“In this area, 67 acres of contiguous woods are rare and are definitely worth conserving.”

In addition to scenic beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities provided by permanently protected green space, the conservation of this land will benefit the health, well-being and enjoyment of current and future residents by protecting biodiversity, air and water quality and local scenic character.

Protecting this land would also help to address water quality and flooding issues in Lowries Run by allowing the continued absorption of 20 million gallons of rainwater annually, and would help to maintain air quality by annually sequestering 97,000 pounds of carbon and removing 1,700 pounds of other pollutants from the air.

“We are proud to lend our support to ALT’s efforts, which align with our goals to meet the needs of communities, residents and stakeholders to preserve the social and ecological benefits of local green space,”said Jennifer Deemer, Chairwoman of the Ross Township Environmental Advocacy Council.“On a personal note, this space is dear to our family, and we hike it regularly. Our boys have named little landmarks within, like the ‘Lily Loft’ and ‘Paradise Falls,’ to help them find their way. We hope other families can enjoy this too.”

ALT currently has an exclusive contract to purchase and permanently protect this green space contingent upon successfully raising the needed funds for closing by December 2023.

A total of $550,000 is needed to conserve the land. ALT either has funding applications pending or in process with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County and local foundations and corporations.

To fill the funding gap and also serve as the required matching dollars needed to unlock state grants, ALT is asking the community to raise $41,150 of the total to protect this land forever.

“We look forward to collaborating with the community to help create an incredible close-to-home green space asset,” Beichner said.

Click Here to donate or find more information on the project.

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: June 6, 2023]

6/12/2023