Sep 20, 2009 2 min read

The Westmoreland Land Trust will hold a “Ground-saving Event” from 1:30 p.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve in Ardara, North Huntingdon Township. Directions are available at www.wcdpa.com/landtrust. The free event, which will be held rain or shine, is being held to announce the young organization’s first land acquisitions, which are four open space properties of varying sizes, located in four Westmoreland County communities that fall within an area referred to as the “growth triangle” – the geographic area roughly between New Kensington, Latrobe, and Monessen where most of the development in the county occurs.

All of the properties will be maintained as open space and will be publicly accessible for low-impact uses, such as hiking and bird-watching.

The majority of funds for purchase of the properties were provided by the Growing Greener II County Environmental Initiative Program, through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The acquisitions also include some private funding and several donated properties.

The “Ground-saving Event” will feature brief remarks by Charles Duritsa, Westmoreland Land Trust chair; Westmoreland County Commission Chairman Tom Balya; Tracy Stack, environmental planner with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; David

Herold, president of the North Huntingdon Township Board of Commissioners; and individual property donors.

Light refreshments and easy, walking tours of the Ackermann Nature Preserve will be offered.

RSVPs are requested. Call or e-mail Karen Jurkovic, secretary, at kajurkovic@aol.com or 724-837-5105 by Friday.

The Westmoreland Land Trust was formed in December 2007 in response to citizens’ desire to conserve land of special value in Westmoreland County, such as land that contributes to the local quality of life because of its scenic, recreational, environmental, historical, or cultural qualities.

The trust was awarded nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service in January 2009, making donations to the land preservation group tax-deductible.

The Westmoreland Land Trust is governed by an independent board of 22 Westmoreland County residents who represent a variety of communities, organizations, and interests.

The organization is not responsible for any local zoning decisions.