The post Allegheny Land Trust Protects 42 Acres of Green Space Along Panhandle Trail appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>South Fayette Township, PA – At the end of December 2025, local land conservation nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) completed the purchase and permanent protection of 42 acres of vital green space along the Panhandle Trail in South Fayette Township.
This marks an important milestone in ALT’s expansive Panhandle Greenway Conservation Project – a long-term effort to proactively conserve green space in an area of the county experiencing rapid growth. With this latest addition, ALT has now successfully conserved 293 acres of land as part of the Panhandle Greenway, including 91 acres in Collier Township and 202 acres in South Fayette Township.
“These 42 acres protect the living landscape of the Pandhandle corridor, where forests, fields and waterways can remain whole and live for generations,” said Carrie Gilbert, ALT President & CEO. “It enables us to expand the trail’s natural beauty while offering welcome shade and relief for everyone who enjoys the trail.”
Conserving this land offers multiple benefits for both people and nature. The land helps maintain the community’s rural character while expanding access to healthy outdoor recreation. It supports the Robinson Run Watershed by naturally absorbing stormwater, reducing flood risk and improving air quality by filtering pollutants and storing carbon. The protected forest also provides important wildlife habitat and maintains a natural buffer along the Panhandle Trail, enhancing experience for walkers, runners and cyclists with shaded, scenic surroundings. Together, these benefits contribute to a healthier environment and more desirable, resilient communities.
A central goal of the larger Panhandle Greenway effort is to connect key natural and recreational destinations – including Settlers Cabin Park, Pittsburgh Botanical Garden, Collier Township Park, South Fayette’s Preservation Park and the Panhandle and Montour Trails – into a continuous, sustainable green corridor. The addition of these 42 acres brings ALT one step closer to realizing that vision.
Permanent conservation of this land was made possible thanks to funding from The Richard King Mellon Foundation, Katherine Mabis Mckenna Foundation, The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, Grist House Brewing and many dedicated community members and trail users.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring this project to life and demonstrated what’s possible when a community comes together around the land it loves,” said Gilbert. “Protecting the Panhandle Greenway strengthens our regional resilience and fosters a lasting connection to place. We look forward to continuing to inspire connection, conservation and community building in our region.”
The post Allegheny Land Trust Protects 42 Acres of Green Space Along Panhandle Trail appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>The post North Side “Olde Allegheny” Community Garden Permanently Protected appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>“We’re thrilled to see [the garden’s] future secured,” said community gardener Pritish Iyer. “This is more than just a garden; it’s a vital community hub.”
The site, located at 1309 Arch Street, was previously an abandoned lot that neighbors and various leaders began to improve in the early 1980s. Since its founding, the garden has served as a vibrant community gathering and growing place. Now that it is conserved through TRALI, the land will remain forever green.
TRALI is a joint venture between Grow Pittsburgh and Allegheny Land Trust (ALT). By utilizing both organization’s strengths, the initiative creates the stability necessary to foster a vibrant, sustainable urban agriculture movement in the Pittsburgh region by removing the threat of future sales of agricultural lands for other development purposes and creating opportunity to expand urban agriculture.
“Grow Pittsburgh is proud to support growers who have dedicated time and resources to strengthen their community’s food security, among the many other benefits gardens bring to our neighborhoods,” said Grow Pittsburgh’s director of community projects Dora Walmsley. “With permanent protection through TRALI, Olde Allegheny can continue to build on this work for decades to come.”
Spaces like Olde Allegheny provide environmental benefits by mitigating stormwater, protecting pollinator habitat, creating neighborhood food security and serving as vital places for social connections and community-building. There are more than 120 community gardens and urban farms in Allegheny County, many of which use land without a formal land use agreement or have only temporary permission. TRALI ensures permanent protection for food gardens.
“We’re honored to be a part of this beloved garden’s history by ensuring its permanent conservation with Grow Pittsburgh,” ALT President & CEO Carrie Gilbert said. “Part of our vision is to make green space easily accessible and available to everyone, and we believe the TRALI initiative – and this garden – is helping to fulfill that vision.”
Now that the future of the garden is secure, volunteers can dedicate their energy to long-term improvements. There are 18 gardeners on the plot that is now protected; another 25 gardeners utilize the rest of the space. In addition to keeping up with the current growing season, gardeners are now preparing for the hundreds of visitors brought by the annual Mexican War Streets House Tour.
“Our community garden is more than just a place to grow food—it’s a space where neighbors come together, share knowledge, and cultivate connection,” said gardener Peggi Habets. “It offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of our neighborhood.”
–
About Grow Pittsburgh Grow Pittsburgh’s mission is to teach people how to grow food and promote the benefits that gardens bring to our neighborhoods. The organization was founded in 2005 and has been a registered 501c (3) entity since 2008. We use growing food as a platform to bring people and communities together, while inspiring them to be healthier individuals, learn new skills, care for the earth and make our city and region a more livable, equitable and desirable place to be. Please visit our website to learn more about the distinct programs and production sites that provide opportunities for people of all ages to grow their own food. More information can be found at growpittsburgh.org
About Allegheny Land Trust Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1993 in response to the rapidly declining amount of green space in Allegheny County, ALT now conserves more than 4,000 acres of green space to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. ALT’s strategic priorities are in land protection, land stewardship, community conservation, and environmental education. More information can be found at alleghenylandtrust.org
About TRALI Three Rivers Agricultural Land Initiative is a partnership between Grow Pittsburgh and Allegheny Land Trust that provides long-term security to local community gardens and urban farms. The sites are owned by Allegheny Land Trust while Grow Pittsburgh provides support to the gardeners. The initiative creates the stability necessary to foster a vibrant, sustainable urban agriculture movement in the Pittsburgh region by removing the threat of future sales of agricultural lands for other development purposes and creating opportunity to expand urban agriculture. More information can be found at growpittsburgh.org/trali
Olde Allegheny Community Garden (link)
1309 Arch Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212
Contact Names:
Gwendolyn Moorer [email protected]
Randall Burns [email protected]
The post North Side “Olde Allegheny” Community Garden Permanently Protected appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>The post ALT Welcomes New President & CEO appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>Gilbert has held a variety of increasingly responsible positions with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) over her 20+ year career. She will come to ALT from the USFS where she is currently the Director of the Eastern Planning Service Group and leads a team in creating land management plans for national forests across the eastern and southern U.S. She also previously served as the Forest Supervisor on the Wayne National Forest in southeast Ohio and Deputy Forest Supervisor on the Allegheny National Forest in northwest Pennsylvania. Gilbert holds B.S. in Forest Conservation and an M.S. in Forest Science degrees from Penn State.
“Carrie brings to ALT a wealth of experience, an inspiring leadership style and a proven dedication to land conservation. All of us on the ALT Board of Directors are very excited to have her leading ALT and its talented staff into its next chapter of our vital conservation work in the Pittsburgh region,” ALT Board Chair Ted Weller said.
Gilbert’s expertise in leading complex organizations, building diverse community coalitions and developing and implementing conservation strategies that work for the land and those who depend on it are well-aligned with ALT’s mission, and distinguished her from a strong field of candidates identified through a national search for the organization’s leadership position.
“I’m incredibly honored to have the opportunity to serve Allegheny Land Trust as President and CEO. This organization has a remarkable legacy of conserving land and connecting people with nature in the Pittsburgh region. I am eager to build on that foundation and collaborate with our dedicated staff, board, partners and community members to further protect lands that sustain the region’s health, well-being and future,” Gilbert said. “I can’t wait to get started.”
Resulting media coverage:
The post ALT Welcomes New President & CEO appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>The post ALT Welcomes New Vice President of Land Conservation appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>Costlow comes to ALT from her role as the Land Protection Director of the Western New York Land Conservancy where she led the organization’s land protection efforts. Her expertise in environmental law, policy, community engagement and fundraising are well-aligned with ALT’s conservation mission.
“We are excited to welcome Sarah to our team. Her passion for conservation and proven record of innovative environmental solutions will be invaluable as ALT continues to tackle the pressing challenges facing our region through close-to-home conservation,” said ALT President & CEO Christopher J. Beichner. “We are confident in her leadership and strategic thinking to further our mission.”
In her new role, Costlow will lead ALT’s land conservation efforts deploying various methods of land protection to help the organization meet its regional conservation goals. As a member of the organization’s senior leadership team, she will collaborate with landowners, government agencies and other stakeholders to identify, secure and protect green space in southwestern Pennsylvania.
“I’m honored to join the team at Allegheny Land Trust, and am excited to return to Western PA, where I grew up,” said Costlow. “I look forward to working alongside the team to build on the momentum of the great work they’ve already done, and to strategize and implement new ways to protect the region’s natural resources.”
Costlow holds master’s degrees in environmental law and policy from Vermont Law School and global communication and civil society from The American University of Paris, a certificate in water law from Vermont Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in French from Lafayette College. She has served on the board of the Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust and volunteered with Standing Up for Racial Justice Buffalo Chapter, Ranked Choice NY, Genesee RiverWatch, Genesee Finger Lakes Chapter of Air and Waste Management Association. Sarah is a passionate advocate for land protection and is committed to fostering a culture of conservation in the community.
For more information about Allegheny Land Trust’s active land conservation projects, visit:
https://alleghenylandtrust.org/current-projects/
The post ALT Welcomes New Vice President of Land Conservation appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>The post Special Announcement: President & CEO Christopher J. Beichner Departing ALT appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>After 12 years of organizational growth and transformative projects, Allegheny Land Trust President and CEO Christopher J. Beichner is departing the organization at the end of November 2024. Chris has been the longest serving CEO in ALT’s history.
Under his leadership, ALT has grown from a small-but-mighty staff into a talented team of leaders advancing innovative and challenging projects to conserve more land, increase the ecological health of streams and habitats, and enhance nature-based learning opportunities. ALT expanded their strategic priorities from two to four, now including land conservation, stewardship, environmental education, and community conservation. The nonprofit’s budget increased from $500,000 in 2012 to $8.8 million for this budget year.
Under Chris’ tenure, the organization focused on equity in conservation, having recently completed a diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility plan and having launched their community conservation program in 2015. The organization maintained a high standard of excellence, earning national reaccreditation multiple times since 2010.
“As I embark on a new professional and personal path, I will never forget and will always value my time at ALT,” Chris stated. “It has been an amazing journey and tremendous privilege to work alongside passionate, unwavering folks who care so much about conservation, and I look forward to learning about the many impressive achievements the ALT team will reach in the months and years ahead.”
Chris and his family will be moving to the state of Maine where he will begin as the President and CEO of the Forest Society of Maine (FSM). FSM is a statewide land trust with the purpose of conserving and stewarding the Maine North Woods – a 12-million-acre forest – the largest contiguous forest in the continental United States. Over the past 40 years, FSM has conserved over one million acres, making it the seventh largest land trust in the country by conserved acres.
ALT Board Chair Ted Weller expressed his appreciation by saying, “On behalf of Allegheny Land Trust’s Board of Directors, I want to thank Chris for his years of service and collaborative leadership in helping ALT to reach new heights. I am confident with the strong foundation we have achieved together; ALT is poised to have an even greater impact. We wish Chris tremendous success moving forward.”
ALT’s Board leadership has formed a CEO Search Committee and plans to launch a nationwide search for the next CEO in the coming weeks with the goal of identifying a new CEO by the first quarter of 2025.
The post Special Announcement: President & CEO Christopher J. Beichner Departing ALT appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>The post RELEASE: ALT Permanently Protects Girty’s Woods appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>For Immediate Release
RESERVE TOWNSHIP, PA – Allegheny Land Trust (ALT), a local land conservation nonprofit, finalized the acquisition of 155 acres of green space located in Reserve Township on March 30.
“The community effort behind protecting this green space was robust, inspiring and instrumental in our success. It was a great opportunity for the residents and businesses of Reserve, Millvale Borough and Shaler Township to work together to protect a large, forested area within a rapidly-urbanized region,” said ALT President & CEO Christopher Beichner.
The campaign was launched at the beginning of the pandemic, leaving ALT and the community concerned about the fate of the project, which required the raising of $703,546 to close. The funding plan relied on at least $40,000 from the surrounding community during an unstable time. However, as other funding sources fell through, the community went above and beyond the goal.
By the campaign’s end, approximately 650 residents donated more than $88,000. The project also received funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR), the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, the Triboro Ecodistrict, Malone Foundation, Posner Foundation, Millvale Borough and from 34 local businesses and organizations.
“We were blown away by the community’s efforts to save Girty’s Woods,” Beichner said. “So many individuals, organizations and local businesses stepped up in difficult financial times to help ensure this land would be protected and improve the quality of life not only for residents today, but also for generations to come.”
The permanent protection of Girty’s Woods will preserve natural scenic beauty, provide close-to-home outdoor recreation and environmental education opportunities, absorb rainwater that would otherwise overwhelm Girty’s Run watershed, protect wildlife habitat for a variety of native flora and fauna already calling the green space home, maintain and improve air and water quality and increase neighboring property values to contribute to the area’s resiliency and sustainability.
“The campaign to Save Girty’s Woods was all heart. At a time when so many are struggling, neighbors of all ages and backgrounds worked tirelessly and together to save our woods,” Triboro Ecodistrict Director Brian Wolovich said. “It is inspiring to see what we can accomplish when we focus on what unites us, instead of what divides us.”
The area has been explored by and cared for by neighbors for years, and a network of informal trails winds through the green space passing scenic overlooks, open fields, wetland areas and a biodiverse forest that supports a variety of documented native birds, mammals and tree species. Located only 3.5 miles from Point State Park, the land is a short walk from thousands of Reserve, Millvale and Shaler residents’ homes.
“This is the culmination of an incredible effort byAllegheny Land Trust and several highly motivated groups of community members who recognize the extreme value of to the Girty’s Woods project. This initiative will not only benefit our environment, but it will connect our people to their public parks, improve public health and strengthen community bonds,” State Representative Sara Innamorato said. “I want to thank everyone involved for preserving this space to create the next generation of environmental stewards to protect our most precious public goods – our water, air, and open spaces.”
ALT will now begin fulfilling national land trust accreditation requirements for the site and addressing stewardship needs on the land.
The post RELEASE: ALT Permanently Protects Girty’s Woods appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>The post Inequity in Our Ecosystem appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>The post Inequity in Our Ecosystem appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>The post THREE RIVERS AGRICULTURAL LAND INITIATIVE GROWS appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>For Immediate Release
The newly-formed Three Rivers Agricultural Land Initiative (TRALI) completed its steering committee in January 2018 by bringing on three community representatives.
Dana Harris-Yates, Masoud Sayles and Gavin Deming will represent three unique, Pittsburgh communities in governing TRALI on a nine-person steering committee, which also includes representatives from Grow Pittsburgh and Allegheny Land Trust (ALT).
Dana Harris-Yates was raised farming, gardening and learning horticulture passed down from Indigenous teachings from her Aniyunwiya American Indian heritage. Dana is the founder of Cultural Oasis Healing Emporium LLC, and is the Operations Manager for the Black Urban Gardeners and Farmers Cooperative of Pittsburgh (BUGS) based in Homewood. Her personal mission is to promote spiritual, emotional and physical health and wellness in Indigenous communities throughout the entire diaspora, and to share ancient techniques of healing to all ages.
Masoud Sayles has a bachelor’s degree in Geo-Biology from Penn State and practices permaculture design. An active volunteer in his community, Masoud manages a community garden in McKeesport. He believes strongly that human existence is only a successful endeavor if it is conducted in partnership with other organisms in our environment, especially trees.
Gavin Deming is Executive Director of Allegheny GoatScape and Community Specialist with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s community garden and greenspace program. Gavin volunteers for the Ballfield Farm community garden on the North Side. He believes that the earth and its people can heal at the intersection of environmental stewardship and intentional community building, and we all need to be quick to listen to those who are not usually heard in decision-making situations.
TRALI launched in August 2017 with the goal of protecting and preserving selected urban agricultural lands in perpetuity, and held its first planning meeting in December 2017. It will provide long-term security for existing community gardens and urban farms, and ensure that future urban agricultural expansion will be planned and conducted on protected land. The initiative will create the stability necessary to foster a vibrant, sustainable urban agriculture movement in the Pittsburgh region by removing the threat of future sales of agricultural lands for other development purposes and creating opportunity to expand urban agriculture.
Community gardens and urban farms provide environmental benefits including stormwater mitigation, pollinator habitat creation and neighborhood food insecurity reduction, and also serve as vital places for social connections and community-building. There are more than 80 community gardens and urban farms in Allegheny County, many of which are using land without a formal land use agreement or have only temporary permission. With this initiative, Pittsburgh will join Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago and Providence, which all have land trusts dedicated to protecting urban agriculture projects.
Rounding out the TRALI steering committee include Quincy Swanson, Grow Pittsburgh representatives Quincy Swanson, Rayden Sorock and Jake Seltman, and Allegheny Land Trust representatives Beth Dutton, Roy Kraynyk and Chris Beichner.
Those who are interested in learning more about having their community garden or urban farm participate in the program can send an inquiry to [email protected]
About Grow Pittsburgh
Grow Pittsburgh’s mission is to teach people how to grow food and promote the benefits that gardens bring to our neighborhoods. The organization was founded in 2005, and has been a registered 501c(3) entity since 2008. We use growing food as a platform to bring people and communities together, while inspiring them to be healthier individuals, learn new skills, care for the earth and make our city and region a more livable, equitable and desirable place to be. Please visit our website to learn more about the distinct programs and production sites that provide opportunities for people of all ages to grow their own food. More information can be found at growpittsburgh.org.
About Allegheny Land Trust
Founded as a nonprofit in 1993 in response to the rapidly declining amount of green space in Allegheny County, ALT has protected more than 2,100 acres to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. ALT’s mission has expanded in recent years to include innovative methods of land conservation in support of community needs for urban green space as well the addition of a professional environmental education team teaching people of all ages to understand and appreciate the natural world. More information can be found at alleghenylandtrust.org.
The post THREE RIVERS AGRICULTURAL LAND INITIATIVE GROWS appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>The post RELEASE: Meet ALT’s New VP of Development & External Affairs appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>For Immediate Release
ALT Hires New Vice President of Development & External Affairs
Sewickley, PA – Thomas J. Dougherty has joined the Allegheny Land Trust as Vice President of Development & External Affairs.
“Tom brings a wealth of brand and relationship-building experience from his accomplished business career and we look forward to bolstering our marketing and development initiatives with his expertise and leadership,” said ALT President & CEO Chris Beichner.
Dougherty, formerly director of marketing at PPG, brings more than 30 years of marketing and business development experience to ALT where he will lead efforts to enhance public awareness of the organization and expand upon its strong base of support across individual, corporate, institutional and public contributors.
“The work that ALT does contributes to the quality of life in our region in so many ways,” Dougherty said. “I am truly honored to have the opportunity to contribute to an organization that has preserved thousands of acres of green space in and around Allegheny County, and I’m extremely excited about the amazing potential for additional conservation and environmental education.”
The post RELEASE: Meet ALT’s New VP of Development & External Affairs appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>The post We’re Hiring, Join Our Team appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>For 20 years, ALT operated with a small staff of 8 or fewer. We’re proud to be growing, and to have the opportunity to bring on more team members to help us accomplish our mission.
Won’t you join us in helping local people save local land in the Pittsburgh region?
Deadline to apply: Wednesday, October 26.
P.S. What happens if you don’t see something on our Job Opportunities page that appeals to you? Do you have other skills that you think ALT needs on its team? Convince us!
The post We’re Hiring, Join Our Team appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>