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Hollow Oak News
"I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art
that anybody could ever want to own."
- Andy Warhol
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June 10, 2014
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Volume 2, Number 4
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Volunteer Profile: Laurie Plummer
 One of our amazing volunteers who serves in a variety of capacities is Hollow Oak Board Treasurer, Laurie Plummer. She has a B.S. degree in Accounting from Slippery Rock University and is a payroll administrator for KTA-Tator, Inc. In addition to serving on the Executive Committee, she is active as a Trail Steward and Crew Leader. Best of all, Laurie provides endless enthusiasm and encouragement to board, staff and fellow volunteers!
What inspired your support? I support the land trust because it is a neat little organization doing good things in my community. I've heard that clean air and clean water are not free. This made me recognize the important work that land trusts are doing.
Why do you volunteer? I really enjoy the solitude and the time out in the conservation areas. These open spaces are close to home and work for so many of us and with just a little care they can be shared with others on a quick evening walk or a Saturday outing with the Scouts. My investment of just a few hours a week helps improve and maintain the wonderful trail system.
What do you like most about Hollow Oak Land Trust? Hollow Oak's effort to create greenway connections among parks, trails and conservation areas is a theme that interests me a great deal. As land gets developed, we create islands reachable only by car. Downtown Pittsburgh & Harrisburg used to be like that, but now with the opening of the river trails, rails to trails and greenways, people now have other options for getting around. I am glad to have the opportunity to work with a local organization who is doing this right in my community.
Any tips for aspiring volunteers? Lots of great projects start with an idea that seems either crazy or too difficult. Folks should go for it!
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Nature Notes: Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
 This common wildflower is native to deciduous forests in North America. Sometimes called American mandrake, because it resembles the European mandrake (of Harry Potter fame), the two plants are unrelated.
This woodland plant exists in colonies, with each plant connected underground by a thick rhizome. As it also produces a large white flower with yellow stamens, the plant can reproduce both asexually and sexually. Only two-leaved plants produce a flower and fruit.
The fruit becomes yellow when ripe, sometime in June, and is the only edible part of plant, though even it is only edible in small quantities. Because of the plant's low height, some have suggested it may be a favorite food of the box turtle. Seeds that have passed through a box turtle germinate much more readily.
So, it's a race to find the mayapples this month...but will the turtle win??
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Thank You!
Day of Giving
The recent Pittsburgh Day of Giving was a success for Hollow Oak Land Trust and the work we do in the community. Thanks to 28 generous donors, we raised over $2,000 for local habitat protection and trail development. This amounts to significant support for our lean organization, a 60% increase from 2013 and nearly triple that of 2012.
The impact of Hollow Oak is growing substantially and member support is at the core of our success. A big Welcome! to our newest members, and a big Thank You! to all of our committed supporters. Among other premiums, Hollow Oak members and donors receive native perennial wildflower seeds grown in the city of Pittsburgh.
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 Tales from the Trail
Monitoring Water Quality of Meeks Run
On May 28, Duquesne University graduate student, Rob Dubas, began testing water quality in Meeks Run. With assistance from Sean Brady of Hollow Oak, eight test sites were selected for monitoring throughout this summer and fall across a mile of the stream.
Rob is measuring pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. These and other water quality parameters will be monitored to identify opportunities to improve the habitat of the stream by mitigating the impacts of stormwater runoff and lawn fertilizer.
This study is being run in parallel with ongoing fish surveys and data collection by Duquesne University and the Allegheny County Conservation District. Blessed with one of the cleanest streams in Allegheny County, Hollow Oak is modeling the best practices for communities to improve the quality of local streams.
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 Trail Maintenance
Join the Hollow Oak Wednesday trail crew to learn the science of trail building and the art of conservation. We promise a good workout, good company and the great result of improved public access to nature. Dress for the weather, pants and sturdy shoes/boots recommended. All instruction, tools, work gloves provided, followed by refreshments!
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Moon Farmers Market
Wednesdays, June 4 - October 1, 3-6 p.m.
Township Admin Bld. 1000 Beaver Grade Road
 Fresh, flavorful produce is coming to Moon Township this summer at the community farmers' market. Residents are invited to stop by the Administration Office parking lot every Wednesday from June through early October to purchase locally grown and prepared products. Vendors can register online at moontwp.com/farmersmarket.html or by picking up a form in the Township Administration Office.
Contact Green Initiatives Coordinator Rebecca Kiernan at rkiernan@moontwp.com or call (412) 262-1700.
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Hollow Oak in the News
Like us on Facebook to stay informed about upcoming events at Hollow Oak Land Trust.
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Hollow Oak Land Trust | PO Box 741 | Coraopolis, PA 15108
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