Earth Volunteer Fund will match up to $1,000 in donations for Sycamore Island in Blawnox

In the 13 years since Allegheny Land Trust acquired Sycamore Island near Blawnox, the property has transformed from neglected to nurtured.

Plopped in the middle of the Allegheny River between Blawnox and Verona, the land is healthier, life-sustaining and more visitor-friendly than ever, said Lindsay Dill, ALT’s marketing and communications director.

“The process of improving the ecosystem must be ongoing,” Dill said. “Otherwise, the invasives will retake and undo all of the work.”

A fundraiser for Sycamore Island is underway to raise critical funds for continued maintenance.

The Earth Volunteer Fund will match $1,000 in donations, dollar-for-dollar, to help upgrade the unique river island conservation area.

“People who have already visited Sycamore Island understand why it’s one of our most loved conservation areas,” Dill said.

“Its location makes for a surprising contrast of urban and rural landscapes.”

The island’s popularity has attracted the work of dedicated volunteers and supporters who have cleared litter, removed invasive plants and planted native trees and flowers.

Upcoming goals include:

• Continuing the development and maintenance of the trail loop and side trails on the island.

• Further eradicating invasive species.

• Beginning the final phase of knotweed removal at the upstream end of the island and replacing it with native species capable of holding the shoreline in place while providing other ecosystem benefits.

• Conducting selected plantings of native tree species.

• Upgrading the campsite to lessen its impact on the land while making it more user-friendly and aesthetically appealing.

Anyone interested in donating can keep the following buy-ins in mind: For every $25 raised, a cardinal flower will be planted; $50 gets a Sycamore Tree; $100 buys trail tools and $500 will see a new camping platform.

Dill said ALT’s work to preserve local land requires maintenance funds to ensure that the group is being a good neighbor and steward to its more than 3,000 acres of green space across the region.

“For Sycamore Island, it’s important to battle invasive species and erosion, and support a healthy ecosystem with native plantings to create wildlife habitat,” she said.

The group also aims to provide space for passive recreation and provide outdoor environmental education.

“We rely on our neighbors to help us maintain and improve the local land we’ve saved together, so we hope neighbors and explorers of Sycamore Island will come together for the island’s health,” she said.

In July, the group will host a Mushroom Hike where participants can explore the island. For details, visit alleghenylandtrust.org.

To be involved in other cleanups or events, visit: alleghenylandtrust.org/volunteer