A West Hills area land trust will celebrate the completion of its newest project – a two-mile trail system through one of the community’s most scenic natural areas – Saturday, Aug. 23.
Hollow Oak Land Trust, which has been around since 1991 working to connect and protect greenspace in the growing West Hills area, will welcome the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Thorn Run Conservation Area.
Those planning to attend can utilize the park and ride lot on Fifth Avenue in Coraopolis and then hike in to the new trail, said Autumn Anderson, the trust’s education and outreach coordinator.
Anderson said the latest section of trail makes for a completed two-mile loop in an area that includes a serene stream valley and stunning views.
The event will include trail building information, opportunities to learn how to get involved in the trust’s activities and a chance to discover more about Hollow Oak’s mission.
If you’re eager to learn more about that, the trust also holds weekly trail work days every Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at various conservation areas with in the trust’s 800-acre portfolio.
On Aug. 11, the “Trail Luv Monday” session will take place at Thorn Run. Anderson said a second trail work session generally is held each week, but the day and the location varies.
Hollow Oak will bring all the tools and supplies needed for volunteers to help with trail maintenance – and they also bring snacks, Anderson said.
According to the Hollow Oak website, a land trust is a private, nonprofit organization that conserves land by working with landowners to achieve their property goals. In many cases, land trusts protect land by using a legal agreement called a conservation easement. A land trust is typically not a “trust” in a legal sense.
The site notes that the trust has teamed with municipalities including Moon and Robinson townships and Coraopolis borough to develop a network of greenways connecting municipal parks, conservation areas and trails.
One specific project that’s underway is the Montour Woods Greenway, in which Hollow Oak wants to establish a 10-mile trail loop linking three local amenities: Moon Township Park, the Montour Trail and Hollow Oak’s own 300-acre Montour Woods Conservation Area.
Hollow Oak is involved in other activities as well. Last month, families and nature lovers of all ages met at Montour Woods Pavilion for Hollow Oak’s Bugfest, a celebration of insects and their place in local ecosystems. The free event welcomed visitors for a day of hands-on research, nature journeys and educational activities.
For three hours, the woods became active with excitement as local entomologist Tim Tomon led an educational bug walk in Montour Woods. This walk welcomed participants to observe local creatures such as beetles, butterflies and flying insects in their natural habitats.
Tomon shared knowledge of how insects work in the environment, leading to curiosity with his deep knowledge. “What’s the difference between a moth and a butterfly?” He said, “Butterflies are what’s called a monophyletic group that’s out on its own, but above and below that on the family tree are all kinds of moths.”
He showed a protected question mark butterfly and asked visitors to pass it around. “Butterflies are usually brightly colored and often fly during the day,” he said. “But really, most insects — even butterflies — are technically just moths with good PR.”
As the group stopped to admire an amazing green adult katydid, one visitor moved in for a closer look and said, “Cute — one sexy looking bug. Such a fine-looking buggy.”
While the adult group explored the trails, children joined Dr. Catie Hanna, a biology professor at Robert Morris University, for a stream study. The kids looked for macroinvertebrates in the creek and discovered how these small water bugs show stream health.
The event included macroinvertebrate displays from the Carnegie Museum, tables with conservation information, and refreshments under the pavilion. Hollow Oak staff and volunteers talked about upcoming programs and ways to support their mission.
Anderson said the event was a success, as more than 60 people attended.
“What I took away was how interested and engaged the community is in ecological concepts,” she said. “I think the kids really had fun and learned a lot. And people in the conservation area joined in the learning opportunity, which was wonderful.”
To see the bugs found on the trail, watch the video below, including close-up footage of bugs spotted during the day. For more information on Hollow Oak Land Trust events, visit https://hollowoak.org/ or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
(WHG reporter Frank Garland contributed to this story.)
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