Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) is a nationally accredited, non-profit organization that has been “helping local people save local land” in the Pittsburgh region for more than a quarter of a century.
S
ince 1993, ALT has protected thousands of acres of
green space in dozens of municipalities to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide expanded outdoor recreational opportunities, protect and improve water and air quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life in the region.
LAND CONSERVATION Protect rapidly disappearing green space for the overall well-being of the region
LAND STEWARDSHIP Manage and care for our conserved green spaces for perpetual community benefit
COMMUNITY CONSERVATION Empower the community through education, innovative programs, and resources to create equity through conservation
NATURE-BASED EDUCATION Engage in programming that fosters an understanding of regional issues and solutions for current and future generations
The Case for Conservation Our region’s remaining undeveloped land must be valued and protected as a vital regional asset. Despite the efforts of ALT and other conservation-minded organizations, green space in Allegheny County continues to decline at an unsustainable rate.
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Allegheny County’s population declined by 25% between 1960-2014, while the amount of developed land increased by 69% during that same period. That trend continues today.
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An estimated 30 square miles of green space were lost to sprawl between 2011-2020 — an area the size of McCandless & Ross Townships combined.
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Allegheny County continues to lose three square miles of green space per year.
Today, less than 43% of the County remains as green space, and even the most conservative development scenarios forecast that the amount of green space will fall below 40% by 2021.* Without a change of course, less than a third of the County will remain as green space by 2041. This will irreversibly change the character of our region.
Allegheny County Green Space Decline* (Square Miles per Year)
360 340 320 300 280 260 240
Allegheny County Land Use (%)
2001
2011
2021
2031
2041
2001
2021 Green Space
*
Source: ALT analysis of U.S. Geological Survey data.
2041 Developed
ALT Making a Difference Green space, in addition to its recreational and aesthetic benefits, is a part of the solution to many of the pressing issues our region is grappling with today, including landslides, flash flooding, combined sewer overflow, and air and water quality. Its natural capacity to absorb and filter storm water, cleanse the air, provide accessible and healthy recreational opportunities, and contribute to economic vitality make strategic green space protection critical to the region’s resiliency and sustainability. Since its founding in 1993, ALT has permanently protected more than 2,600 acres of green space and continues to work with great urgency. As a nationally accredited land trust, we have the experience, expertise, credibility, and desire to meet this critical challenge head-on, and our ability to do so will depend upon the resources that we will have available to protect land in the coming years. We need your help.
Protecting green spaces and increasing access throughout Allegheny County.
W
ith protected lands in 31 municipalities, there is now an ALT conservation area within 12 miles of every Allegheny County resident. The benefits of ALT’s successes can be experienced across the region from McKeesport to Franklin Park, Upper St. Clair to Blawnox, Pittsburgh to Plum, and many places in between.
Featured ALT Conservation Areas 1 2 3 4 5
Wingfield Pines Audubon Greenway Dead Man’s Hollow Sycamore Island Linbrook Woodlands
6 7 8 9 10
Devil’s Hollow Venango Trail Irwin Run Barking Slopes Bethel Green
Visit each conservation area’s page on our website for maps & more information.
ALT Conservation Areas Regional Trails Other Protected Land
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“I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want.” ANDY WARHOL | PITTSBURGH NATIVE ARTIST
We Need Your Help ALT thrives because thousands of dedicated supporters generously donate their time and money because they want to make a difference in their community. You can make a difference too. You can help save local land!
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS n Student
$ 20
n Advocate
$ 30
n Steward
$ 50
n Sustainer
$ 100
n Protector
$ 250
n Conservationist
$ 500
n Guardian
$1,000
n Other Donation
$
All members will receive a subscription to VISTAS (a quarterly membership newsletter), periodic e-mail updates on accomplishments and activities, a 25% discount on any paid educational programming, and recognition at their appropriate level on the ALT website and in Vistas. Conservation and Guardian members may request ALT staff-led site visits.
Join online at: alleghenylandtrust.org or by mail: ALT, 416 Thorn St., Sewickley, PA 15143
Please print your name as you prefer it to be listed in our annual report NAME(S): ADDRESS: CITY / STATE / ZIP: PHONE: n
HOME
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CELL
EMAIL: n PLEASE CHARGE MY CREDIT CARD FOR THIS GIFT. n
VISA
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MASTERCARD
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n CHECK ENCLOSED TO “ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST”
DISCOVER
ACCOUNT #: EXP DATE:
CSC CODE:
AMOUNT: (Please choose from left list.) SIGNATURE: (Required for all charges.)
“ The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” RACHEL CARSON | PITTSBURGH NATIVE CONSERVATIONIST
DEVIL’S HOLLOW CONSERVATION AREA | BELL ACRES, PA
Two Ways You Can Help Become a Member Your monetary contribution will go toward land protection, trail development, habitat restoration, and educational programs. It will also help us to further demonstrate the breadth and strength of our organization, unlocking access to matching funds and additional foundation, business, and government support.
Volunteer Your Time
EFP’s Combined Federal Code is 62348
Help maintain unique conservation areas, manage invasive and native species, improve trails, clean up trash, and so much more. Volunteers are the backbone of our land stewardship team. You can combine healthy exercise with your love for the outdoors while helping ALT monitor and care for our conservation areas Become a member, sign up to volunteer, and find our upcoming public events at alleghenylandtrust.org ALT is a Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) land conservation nonprofit that has helped local people save local land in the Pittsburgh region since 1993. ALT MISSION to conserve and care for local land for the health and well-being of current and future generations. ALT VISION a resilient region with abundant green space that is easily accessible and recognized as essential to the quality of life for all.
416 Thorn Street Sewickley, Pennsylvania 15143 phone 412.741.2750 email info@alleghenylandtrust.org