The health, wellness, and safety of all ALT visitors, volunteers, and staff are our top priority. As we continue to follow this fluid situation with COVID-19, we will adhere to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, the PA Department of Health, and local authorities. 

Our conservation areas are open and available from dawn to dusk. Visitors should follow recommended guidelines.

We are hosting both virtual and in-person events. Any in-person events will be held with safety precautions in place; no walk-ins are permitted at this time. Individual participants of any pandemic-impacted events will be notified of changes or cancellations via email. Cancelled events will be rescheduled when possible. 

ALT personnel are working on an adjusted schedule between home and office, and have access to email and phone messages. There may be some delay in responding, so please be patient with us. 

Thank you for continuing to support ALT and please be safe and well. 

The ALTeam 

The post ALT During the Pandemic appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.

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The Pennsylvania Master Naturalist program is coming to Western Pennsylvania in Spring 2018 for the first time via Allegheny Land Trust. The program is a great opportunity for educators, volunteers, and nature-lovers alike to earn a prestigious ecological training.

Through this year-round intensive program, a PA Master Naturalist will collect an understanding of natural sciences in the context of Pennsylvania’s ecological systems; you will deepen strong, foundational knowledge through continuing education, and extend your knowledge to the community through volunteer service in natural resource conservation and education.

The Pennsylvania Master Naturalist initiative is a statewide partnership aiming to develop a local corps of master volunteers and service providers to offer education, outreach, and service dedicated to the understanding and management of natural areas within their communities.

2018 Training Program Dates:

March 21, 28, 31*  |  April 4, 11, 18, 25, 28*  |  May 2, 9, 16, 19*, 23, 30  |  June 6, 13, 20, 23*, 27

*These dates are field days*

APPLY & FIND MORE PA MASTER NATURALIST INFO

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Thanks to attendee experts and volunteers of our Bioblitz series, more than 500 new species have been logged at Wingfiled Pines.

Using iNaturalist, a crowd-sourced biodiversity tracking app, Bioblitz attendees have begun the process of tracking change over time for existing species, and created a framework for continuing to log new species. All of this allows us to paint a more complete picture of Wingfield Pines’ ecological health and effects of changes in the environment on the green space. We’ll share more species details in our next Vistas Newsletter.

This day was possible thanks to a partnership with Upper St. Clair Citizens for Land Stewardship, who attracted our experts, volunteers, and food/refreshment donors. We’re also very thankful for all of our taxa experts from Blue Heron Nature Skills, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc, Duquesne University, Point Park University, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club. Finally, a belly-rubbing thank you to our food and refreshment donors: Baskin Robins, Chipoltle, Chick-fil-A and Eat-n-Park of Upper St. Clair, and Dunkin Donuts and Panera Bread of Mt. Lebanon.

Missed out on the first three? We’ll have one final Bioblitz at Wingfield Pines this year on September 30. As the date approaches, keep an eye on our website calendar, our e-blasts, or our social media for the RSVP link and hike topics for the day.

The post Experts & Volunteers Log 500 New Species appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.

You are invited to attend this engaging summit including informative presentations geared toward improving your outreach and outdoor programming. Panels include “Innovative Programs that Attract Audiences Across the Age Spectrum” and “Expanding your Horizons: Serving the Underserved.” Additionally, you can participate in an archery demonstration, take an educational tour of a wetland to see how it functions and learn how to build one, and explore the numerous educational opportunities such a resource has to offer. Finally, the program builds in ample opportunity to network with fellow professionals in the fields of recreation, conservation, and environmental education.

When: Friday, October 28 from 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Where: Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Road, Sewickley

Fee: Free

RSVP By October 24

Download the Agenda

The post Get Outdoors PA Regional Summit appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.

We welcome Jessica Kester and Julie Travaglini, both formerly of The Outdoor Classroom, to create additional educational opportunities, especially for school-aged children, at our conservation areas. The Outdoor Classroom, a 501c3 based in Upper St. Clair, decided to wind down their operations effective June 1st, opening an opportunity for ALT.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to attract two experienced, well-respected teachers as part of the land trust team,” said ALT President & CEO Chris Beichner. “For over two years, we have been exploring ways to increase outdoor and environmental education opportunities on our conservation areas. We are very pleased to have Jessie and Julie on our team as we look to educate current and future generations.”

The Education Department will develop new programs for children and adults and to be offered at various locations across the region. ALT intends to partner with municipalities, school districts, counties, non-profits and others to provide far-reaching access to the programming.

Read more here.

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