ALT will keep conservation areas open

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

“We invite folks to utilize our green spaces to get literal and metaphorical breaths of fresh air to stay mentally and physically healthy while we all work together, as a community, to get through this.”

Those are the sentiments of Allegheny Land Trust’s ALT Team, which wants everyone to know that all ALT conservation areas, including those in the Mon Valley, are still open amid COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

In a letter to patrons Monday, the ALT Team said nature lovers and trail users should know that social distancing is being urged when hikers and enthusiasts of the great outdoors venture into conservation areas.

The green spaces are open to the public for outdoor recreation from dawn to dusk. In the McKeesport area, ALT operates Dead Man’s Hollow and the Yough Slopes. In the Monongahela area, ALT operates the Whetzel Preserve.

“We do not encourage group outings at this time and recommend everyone follows recommended guidelines associated with social distancing,” spokeswoman Lindsay Dill said in a prepared statement.

ALT will not hold any environmental education or volunteer events through April 30. Those events may be rescheduled when it becomes possible. Participants of impacted events will be notified of cancellations via email. Fees associated with classes will be refunded if desired by the participant. 

Events beyond April 30 are under review and may be canceled or rescheduled depending on the recommendations of state and local health officials. 

ALT’s office will be closed throughout April.  ALT personnel are working from home and will have access to email and phone messages, Dill said.  

In its letter, the ALT team said expressed hope that conservation areas can serve as an escape for area residents who are willing to respect social distancing.

“During these uncertain times, we wanted to make sure our conservation areas remained open and available for anyone looking to lower stress levels, entertain your children/grandchildren with a walk, or take an opportunity to reconnect with nature,” the letter states. “Thank you for continuing to support ALT and please be safe and well.”

ALT educator still educating

In an attempt to reach out to families who need educational activities to do with their children who are home from school, ALT Education Program Director Julie Travaglini is holding “nature-based story time” Facebook Live sessions on the Allegheny Land Trust Facebook page. 

Families with children 8 and younger are encouraged to tune in at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays to hear Travaglini read children’s books about nature during “Lunchtime Stories with an Environmental Educator.”

During Tuesday’s first session, which can still be viewed on ALT’s Facebook page, Travaglini read “Chameleon’s Crazy Colors” by Nicola Grant and Michael Terry. On Thursday she will be reading “Roberto: The Insect Architect” by Nina Laden.

In the posts, ALT has been including links to the stories it is reading in case parents want to purchase or borrow an electronic copy of the book for their child to read along.