Kane Woods
Conservation Area

In 2004, Scott Conservancy purchased the land surrounding the old Kane Hospital.  This 44 acre property, along with adjacent acquisitions, forms the largest remaining greenspace in Scott Township.  Chartiers Creek is located just to the west of the Kane Woods. Structures have been removed and hiking trails have been developed on the property. 

The property is used by scout troops, hikers, runners, birdwatchers, outdoors enthusiasts and nature lovers in general. It is a beautiful area in all seasons and is home to abundant wildlife. The land sports ancient, stately trees along with delicate wildflowers. 

The lower Whiskey Point trailhead is located on the corner of Scrubgrass and Main Streets by the railroad tracks.  The upper JCC trailhead serves residents of the adjacent municipalities of Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon. Two more trailheads access the land.

The Scrubgrass Run AMD Project mitigates pollution from abandoned mine drainage. 

Bright orange sediment recovered from the site, referred to as "yellow-boy", is recycled and used for pigment in paints and dyes.

Scott Conservancy also holds 3 acres of steep hillside, which has been virtually untouched since 1936, along Vanadium Road, located across the road from Vanadium Woods. A very large stand of oak trees is located on this property.

 Neville Woods
Conservation Area

Located on Hilltop Road in Collier Township up the road from the municipal building near the Nevillewood community, this 42.5 acre property, named "Neville's Woods" because of its proximity to both the Neville House and Nevillewood, is criss-crossed with paths and wide grass trails with gentle slopes.

This unique parcel of land, known for its pristine wilderness,  is bordered by Robinson Run, a major tributary of Chartiers Creek.

The Panhandle Trail is just on the other side.

The new pedestrian bridge provides easy access to the Panhandle Trail between Walkers Mill and Rennerdale.  A trailhead is also located on Hilltop Road.

When these rolling hills were cleared for agriculture over a century ago, this tract of land above Robinson Run was too steep for growing crops. Now many of the farms are slated for development. Houses are being planted instead of crops. 

But this piece of wilderness remains: a mature hardwood forest with shrubs and groundcover that you won't see in the overgrazed Allegheny National Forest.

A botanist examining the property stated, "This parcel is perhaps the best example of a mature hardwood forest that I personally have seen in the Pittsburgh region"

The botanist found it covered almost entirely by an impressive stand of oak and mixed hardwood forest, with trees up to 120 feet in height and 2 feet in diameter. At least four species of oak, American beech, tuliptree, sugar maple, elm, black cherry, and large-toothed aspen are found in this forest, which has grown undisturbed for over half a century.

The understory beneath the forest canopy contains small trees and scattered shrubs, including witch-hazel, hawthorns, and hornbeam. Mature grape vines snake up towards the canopy.

Groundcover includes asters, wild ginger, violets ant pipsissewa.

There are also grasses, sedges and at least two species of fern. Lycopodium, or ground pine, covers the forest floor like a soft, mossy carpet.

Jack-in-the-pulpit and trillium bloom in the spring. The abundance of native species and the near absence of non-native invasive species on this tract is remarkable.

Located in the heart of the Pittsburgh metropolitan region, in an area of rapid growth and expanding devolopment, these acres of high-integrity forest are ideal for conservation.

Formerly known as the Bible Walk, trails on the Collier land now provide the perfect "Nature Walk" for area residents. Chartiers Nature Conservancy's acquisition of this property in June of 2002 was made possible in large part by a $275,000 Keystone Land Acquisition Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR). It marked the culmination of a three year effort to secure funding for the $550,000 purchase.