Ross, Allegheny Land Trust Team On 30-Acre Conservation Effort

ROSS TOWNSHIP, PA — The Allegheny Land Trust and the township are partnering in an attempt to purchase and permanently conserve 30 acres of woodlands. The property is adjacent to the 31-acre Municipal Park and sits at the highest point in the Girty's Run Watershed.

The Sewickley-based trust currently has an exclusive contract to purchase the land provided it raises $457,000 and closes on the property by year's end. If the transaction is successful, the trust will transfer ownership to the township for permanent conservation use only.

What piqued the nonprofit trust's interest in acquiring the property and keeping it free from future development?

"We saw the benefits of expanding opportunities for close-to-home passive recreation and environmental education for current and future residents of the township," said Lindsay Dill, the trust's senior director of marketing and community engagement.

"Protecting the land also would preserve the environmental quality of the watershed by continuing the absorption of rainwater and maintaining air quality around it."

Dill said the trust is seeking funding from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the state Department of Community and Economic Development, as well as a variety of state, local, federal and foundation grants.

The township has committed $30,000 and the trust hopes to raise $45,000 in donations from residents.

"We've already received more than $10,000 and we're very pleased with that," Dill said. "It shows how passionate the community is about this."

An online meeting on the project will occur next week.