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Nonprofit to show off latest acquisition of trails in Montour Woods

Nonprofit to show off latest acquisition of trails in Montour Woods

Sean Brady, Hollow Oak Land Trust executive director, will lead a mountain bike “Ride for the Rest of Us” at 1 p.m. Saturday through the nonprofit organization’s Montour Woods Conservation Area.

The ride will be one of several events that day to let people experience the latest addition to the organization’s nature-preservation portfolio.

It also will mark the release of the trust’s greenspace cycling jersey. Pittsburgh-based Aerotech Designs created and manufactured the zippered garment.

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The Montour Woods Conservation Area is a 260-acre tract in Moon that contains about 8 miles of trails open to the public for activities that include hiking, mountain biking and geocaching.

Parking and the main entrance to the area is south of Hassam Road, about 100 yards west of the Montour Trail.

Much of the conservation area features steep slopes and wetlands. A portion of Meeks Run, a tributary of Montour Run, passes through the property.

Other events starting at 1 p.m. include a “Fat Bike Ride” for snow lovers. Fat bikes are designed to run on softer surfaces such as snow and sand with under-inflated, oversized tires and wider rims.

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For riders seeking more of a workout, cyclocross racer Jordan Villella will lead a “Lively Up Yourself” fast ride.

“This is a new trail system where folks can see wildlife and experience the rugged terrain of western Pennsylvania close to Pittsburgh,” Mr. Brady said.

Participants interested in taking part in 4 p.m. campfire events are asked to bring a side dish or drinks to share at a barbecue featuring Mr. GZ’s Slatherrring Sauce. Mr. GZ is Washington County chef Michael Glagola.

Local bike shops and Aerotech Designs will provide free prizes.

Hollow Oak Land Trust was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit conservation organization to preserve and protect greenspace, much of it in the fast-growing area near Pittsburgh International Airport.

The organization owns six conservation areas with more than 400 acres in Coraopolis, Franklin Park, Kennedy, Moon and North Fayette. It also has acquired two conservation easements for 90-acre Sahli Nature Park in Chippewa, Beaver County. Its efforts have resulted in the preservation of more than 500 acres of greenspace.

The land trust has several preservation projects in the pipeline.

“We are working on a variety of land acquisitions, some of which will expand our conservation areas and connect them to parks and other greenspace,” Mr. Brady said.

The organization works with municipalities and private landowners.

Hollow Oak also provides trail services that include planning, mapping and trail building in the region’s hilly terrain. “It’s our way of helping to make wildlife habitat also accessible to the people who live and work nearby,” Mr. Brady said.

More information on Hollow Oak Land Trust and Saturday’s event is available at the organization website, hollowoak.org, or at 412-264-5354. The organization is always looking for members and volunteers to help with habitat management and trail maintenance, Mr. Brady said.

Len Barcousky: lbarcousky@post-gazette.com or 724-772-0184.

First Published: February 5, 2015, 5:00 a.m.

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