Founded in 1991, the Hollow Oak Land Trust is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects and connects greenspace with an emphasis in the Pittsburgh Airport Corridor. Hollow Oak now has nine conservation areas totaling 872 acres in Moon, Kennedy, Franklin Park, North Fayette, Hopewell, Kilbuck, Ben Avon, Emsworth, and Chippewa.
Hollow Oak conservation areas are protected to maintain and enhance their ecological values. Protected wildlife habitats include mature forest, steep slopes, floodplains, wetlands, and meadows. Our conservation areas are accessible to the public for non-motorized use. They also can be used by schools and other groups for nature study and research.
In its 30+ year history, the Hollow Oak Land Trust helped create the Montour Run Watershed Association and secured some of the earliest funding for development of the Montour Trail. Hollow Oak also conceived a network of greenways along Montour Run, from its upper reaches at the border of Washington County to its mouth at the Ohio River in Allegheny County. Toward this vision, we have acquired land and established conservation areas open to the public, including 300-acre Montour Woods Conservation Area and 88-acre Trout Run Conservation Area to link the Meeks Run and Trout Run stream valleys at Moon Park. Our goal is to establish a new a 10-mile greenway trail, linking several communities to those conservation areas, Moon Park and the Montour Trail.
Mission Statement
Hollow Oak Land Trust protects and connects greenspace for enhanced public access through land acquisition, habitat stewardship, municipal partnerships, and environmental education with a focus on the Pittsburgh International Airport Corridor.
Vision Statement
Hollow Oak Land Trust holds land and easements and partners with municipalities to:
1) Protect and restore wildlife habitat; 2) provide public access to nature through sustainable trail development; 3) prioritize greenway connections linking conservation areas to parks, trails, other natural amenities and to locations where people live and work; and 4) promote environmental education and stewardship of natural resources.
To achieve its vision, Hollow Oak recruits volunteers who help with habitat, trails, water monitoring and public outreach. Our conservation areas are accessible to the public for non-motorized recreation and nature study. Sustainable woodland trails improve access to and management of natural areas, including Hollow Oak Land Trust properties, as well as public and private land.
