Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Noon (walk)

Meeks Run Trail in Montour Run Conservation Area, Moon Township, Allegheny County 

Leader: Meg Scanlon; 724-612-6192

Rain or shine, for a leisurely paced, easy walk.  Come early, 11:30, for lunch, 12 noon for start of walk.

Directions:  From Pittsburgh, travel I-79 north to Exit 64. Turn left onto PA 51 for 0.2 mile, turn left onto Forest Grove Rd for 1.6 mile, right onto Ewings Mill Rd for 1 mile. Ewings Mill turns right and becomes Hassam Rd. Continue 0.3 miles for parking on the left.  

Arrive at 11:30 AM to eat lunch , weather permitting.  We will start walking at 12 noon.  

GPS coordinates: 40.49105, -80.15383   Google Maps Link to Meeks Run Trailhead

Saturday, March 22, 2025, 1:00 PM

Little Sewickley Creek in Herminie, Sewickley Township, Westmoreland County 

Leader: Mark Bowers; 724-454-4012

This is a flat, undeveloped trail on an abandoned railroad bed along Little Sewickley Creek, and can be muddy. Signs of spring include scarlet cup and hepatica, among others.

Directions:  Take the PA Turnpike to Exit 67-Route 30/Irwin/Greensburg. Take the Route 30 East/Greensburg ramp. At the first stoplight on Route 30, turn right onto Arona Road, then another right after 0.5 mile onto unmarked Wendel Road. Travel this road 3.7 miles to a T. Turn right at the T and continue 1 mile to Herminie to a 4-way stop (VFD on corner). Continue straight to the next stop sign and turn left. Proceed through 2 more stop signs, end at a T, and turn right. Continue past the Dairy Queen on your right and continue down a hill; we will meet just before the highway bridge. Park on the left side. These directions are difficult as roads are unmarked and state roads through Herminie sometimes look like alleys. If you can use them, the GPS coordinates will likely take you by a more direct route.

GPS coordinates: 40.2604, -79.7269  Google Maps Link to Herminie

Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 11:30 AM (lunch) Noon (walk)

Pleasant Hills Arboretum, Pleasant Hills , Allegheny County 

Leader: Meg Scanlon; 724-612-6192

Established in 1950, the Pleasant Hills Arboretum is home to 65 species of trees – some more than 200 years old – as well as a variety of shrubs and other plants. Arboretum founder A.W. Robertson, who also helped establish the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, found his inspiration for the place from the Arnold Arboretum in Boston.

Walking the trails gives visitors opportunities for reflection and study as well as the ability to take in the many tree species including Beech and Oak. Tree plantings have included memorial trees, Arbor Day plantings, and select specimen trees like the recently planted Veteran’s Shingle Oak.

Rain or shine, this leisurely paced, easy walk will have us looking closely at how to identify trees, shrubs and meadow plants in this winter season. Gazebo and picnic tables for those that wish to come at 11:30 for lunch, 12 noon for start of walk. Port-a-john on site.

Directions:  The Arboretum is located south of Pittsburgh at 199 W. Bruceton Rd., Pleasant Hills, PA, 15236.  

Arrive at 11:30 AM to eat lunch at the gazebo, weather permitting.  We will start walking at 12 noon.   Handicapped parking and porta-john at this shelter.   

GPS coordinates:  40.32925, -79.96644 Google Maps Link

Saturday , February 1, 2025, 1:00 PM

Search for Penn Tree, Richland Park, Richland Township, Allegheny County, PA 

Leader: Loree Speedy – 724-518-6022; loreespeedy@gmail.com

Directions:   Penn Tree is a majestic oak considered the oldest tree in Allegheny County, and perhaps the oldest in all of western Pennsylvania.  A count of trunk rings after a lightning strike showed it to have taken root in 1598.  

We will meet along Van Velsor Drive in Richland Township Community Park, across from the soccer fields.   The tree is a quarter mile away along a wooded path (that could be muddy). If time permits, we can visit other bicentennial trees in the area.  

GPS Coordinates: 40.65529, -79.92653  Google Map Link

Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 11:30 AM (lunch) Noon (walk)

Wahdo:Gwas Wetlands, North Park, Allegheny County 

Leader: Meg Scanlon; 724-612-6192

Wado:Gwas Wetlands are a series of detention ponds created through a Turnpike mitigation project of wetlands impacted a few miles upstream. Designed to catch and slow street runoff from this portion of the watershed of the North Fork Tributary of Pine Creek, this interesting area contains a great blend of naturally occuring and planted natives. “Plant it and they will come”, allows new opportunities for wildlife that we may discover. 

We will look for fur, feathers, scat, tracks and other animal clues as we identify trees, shrubs and herbaceous treasures wandering along the Dragonfly Interpretive Boardwalk Trail, while occasionally stepping off into the wet overgrowth. Extra interest can be found in our planted wildflower meadows created through many Eagle Scout projects. If you are a true adventurer and want to get up close to beaver and muskrat, wear your waterproof muck boots. Bring binoculars to search for the winter wren. This out and back single trail is very level. Rain or shine.

Directions:  North Park is an Allegheny County Park and can be reached by McKnight Road/Babcock Boulevard or PA Route 8/Wildwood Road.    We will meet at the Eagle’s Nest Education Pavilion (near the ice skating rink), along Pearce Mill Road.    Handicapped parking and portajohn at this shelter. 

Arrive at 11:30 AM to eat lunch at the pavilion, weather permitting.  We will start walking at 12 noon.   Handicapped parking and portajohn at this shelter.   

GPS coordinates:  40.61987,  -80.02529 Google Maps Link

Wednesday, January 1, 2025, 1:00 PM

NEW YEARS DAYS Field Trip, Mingo Creek County Park, Washington County, PA 

Leaders: Mary Ann Pike –  (412) 855-8239; and Loree Speedy – 724-518-6022; loreespeedy@gmail.com

Directions:   Mingo is nestled in northeastern Washington County 3 miles from the Allegheny County border.  There will be a lot of options to explore trees, shrubs and winter vegetation no matter the wintry weather.  

We will meet at the Henry Bridge parking area. Travel PA-43 south (toll road) to Exit 44 for PA-136/Eighty Four/Monongahela. Turn right at end of ramp for PA-136 west. Travel PA-136 for 1.25 miles to make a right onto Mansion  Hill Rd. At the end of Henry Bridge,, the parking lot is to your left. For those who enter park from PA-88 south and Little Mingo Road, turn left at the park sign onto Mingo Creek Road and continue about one mile to the parking lot on your right after Henry Bridge. 

GPS Coordinates: 40.20174, -80.01760  Google Map Link

Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 11:30 AM

North Park Arboretum, Allegheny County 

Leader: Meg Scanlon; 724-612-6192

The North Park Arboretum is almost 25 acres of native and non-native trees and shrubs, with an ever changing understory. Migrating birds utilize this area for feeding and shelter. Grass and dirt pathways and deer trails crisscross throughout. Plantings include older varieties and weeping cultivars, with most specimens surpassing 100 years old. Walk will include some moderate inclines, but most are relatively level. Trails can be wet even without rain.

Directions:  North Park is an Allegheny County Park and can be reached by McKnight Road/Babcock Boulevard or PA Route 8/Wildwood Road.    We will meet at the Juniata and Forest Glen Shelters on Old Babcock Blvd.  Old Babcock Blvd is a park access road  off of Wildwood Road across from the Kool Cones / 7-Eleven.   

Arrive at 11:30 AM to eat lunch at the pavilion, weather permitting.  We will start walking at 12 noon.  Juniata Shelter has an ADA accessible portable restroom.   

GPS coordinates: 40.59262, -79.99533 Google Maps Link

Sunday, November 24 , 1:00 PM

Hazelwood Green’s Tecumseh Street, City of Pittsburgh 

Leader: Loree Speedy; 724-518-6022; loreespeedy@gmail.com

We will look for urban vegetation in little forgotten spaces in the city’s newest brownfield redevelopment.  Meet along Tecumseh Street at Second Avenue by the Carnegie Library  in the Hazelwood Center (5006 Second Ave – parking entrance on Second Ave).  Park on the street or at the library.   GPS coordinates: 40.40850, -79.94417  Google Maps Link

Saturday, September 28, 2024, 1:00 PM

Indian Creek Valley Trail, Champion, Westmoreland County 

The Indian Creek Valley Trail is a walking and biking trail constructed on the former railway of the Indian Creek Valley Railroad, nestled between Laurel Hill and Chestnut Ridge.  

Directions: From PA Turnpike Exit 91 (Donegal), head east about 2  miles on PA 31 to traffic light. Turn right onto PA 711 South and continue 1 ¼ mile to stop sign at County Line Rd. Turn left onto County Line Rd and travel 1/10 mile to make the first left onto Roaring Run Rd (just before bank). Continue short distance to trail parking on the left.  

GPS coordinates: 40.0755, -79.3555   Google Maps Link

Sunday, October 6, 2024, 1:00 PM

Montour Trail, Triphammer Road to Piney Fork, Allegheny County 

Leader: Loree Speedy; 724-518-6022; loreespeedy@gmail.com

This wooded portion of Montour Trail travels along Piney Fork of Peters Creek, promising fall plants of meadow and woodland. We will meet at the large parking lot at Bethel Park Wastewater Treatment Plant.    

Directions: From Pittsburgh, Brownsville Road can be reached via Provost Road south of PA51 and PA88, via PA51 near Brentwood, or via Curry Hollow Rd near Bill Green’s Crossroads.  Travel Brownsville Rd south through South Park.  About ¼ mile after the South Park Township Municipal Complex, turn left onto Piney Fork Rd.  Continue another ¼ mile to the trail parking lot on the right. 

GPS coordinates: 40.28706, -79.99088  Google Maps Link

June 18, 2022

Mingo Park 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Directions:  Travel PA-43 south (toll road) to Exit 44 for PA-136/Eighty Four/Monongahela. Turn right at the end of the ramp for PA-136 west. Travel PA-136 for 2.2 miles to make a right onto Chapel Hill Rd. At the bottom of the hill, turn left onto Mingo Creek Road and continue until you reach the Ebenezer Covered Bridge on your left. Drive through the bridge and make a right into the parking lot for Shelter 4.  For those who enter the park from PA-88 South and Little Mingo Road, turn left at the park sign onto Mingo Creek Road and continue on Mingo Creek Road through the park until you reach the Ebenezer Bridge on your left which you will go through and then make a right into the parking lot for Shelter 4.

Ebenezer Bridge Coordinates:  (40.1920729, -80.0403392)

We will do a nature hike in the morning and come back to the shelter around 12:30 for lunch. The club will provide the meat course, paper products, condiments and a cake. Please bring a side dish.

RSVP by June 4 to diannem15237@aol.com so we know how much food to buy.

14 members attended our wine/cheese social to kick off the new club year. Since attendance at our meetings has been steadily declining because of Covid and an aging membership, it was decided to stop holding meetings and concentrate on field trips, an annual picnic and keeping our website updated. It was voted to send a $300 contribution to Fern Hollow Nature Center for their support over the years. Dues will NOT be collected until further notice.

On February 21, 2021 the Botanical Society of W. PA hosted Doug Tallamy, author and conservationist, in a Zoom Lecture w/ Allegheny County Chapter of Izaak Walton League of America. They are graciously sharing the link to the recording.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u4eKHjx7Fs

Kate St. John presented Peregrine Falcons – A Success Story.

Kate has been watching peregrines since the 90’s. She explained the history of Peregrines in PA and the story of their successful reintroduction. She told the family histories of Dorothy, Hope and Morela and covered some of the other breeding pairs in our area.

This was our annual Christmas Cookie party. Members brought cookies, ate cookies, took cookies home!

We will take our annual winter break January and February 2020 .