# Volunteer With a small staff and thousands of acres of land to monitor and maintain, Allegheny Land Trust volunteers help us care for protected local land. # **How can you get involved?** ##### _Become an ALT Tree Steward_ ALT’s Tree Stewardship Program is a volunteer-powered effort to collect data on and care for restoration trees at ALT’s conservation areas. The data collected by volunteers will be imported into [TreeKeeper]() and contribute to the [Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance]()’s mission of fostering a healthy and growing urban canopy. Stewards will receive the training and tools necessary to conduct census-taking and basic tree care either individually with the field coordinator or at a group volunteer workday. **[Learn more about our Tree Stewardship Program here]()**. ##### _ALT’s 2026 The Great Rake_ In March 2026, we are bringing back our month-long effort to clear our trails ahead of the busy exploring season (and there’s a healthy, playfully competitive aspect too!). In spring, summer, fall, and early winter, leaves and other woodland debris gather on the forest floor and begin to decompose into organic matter known as ‘duff’. Duff is crucial for healthy soil, but its ability to retain moisture, heat, and germinating seeds are deleterious to the trail tread. Without regular maintenance, trails can become slippery, eroded, and overgrown. So: we rake! We need all the hands we can get on the land! Learn more about **[The Great Rake here]().** ##### _Drop-In Volunteer Workdays_ Throughout the growing season, Dani – ALT’s Field Coordinator – visits featured properties on a rotating basis to perform trail maintenance, tree tending, and invasive plant management. Stewards and volunteers who have previously contributed their time at group volunteer workdays are invited to drop in and help out with the regular work that keeps our conservation spaces green and growing. Join Dani to take a hike and see what needs to be worked on! Join the **[ALT Slack Channel]()** to stay connected about upcoming drop-in days and/or contact Dani (dani@alleghenylandtrust.org) directly to join them. ##### _Group Workdays_ The best way to provide impactful volunteer support to our mission is to attend a volunteer workday. These happen most often in the Spring and Fall and are listed on our [**Calendar of Events**](). Volunteer workdays occur at critical times during the year to restore habitat, improve trails, and clean up dump sites. Don’t see an event scheduled at your favorite property? Set up your own workday with our stewardship team! If you and your group – be they coworkers, friends, a club, a church group, or otherwise – are looking to give back outdoors, connect with our team at **[stewardship@alleghenylandtrust.org]()**. We’ll be glad to coordinate a service project to align your interests, abilities, and schedules with needs at one of our conservation areas. ##### _Individual Volunteering_ If you are familiar with a conservation area or already spend time caring for a green space, report your volunteer activity **[using this form]()**. This helps us keep track of who is working where and so we can recognize your efforts. Additionally, you can use the form to report any issues on the land that may need our attention like a downed tree or illegal dumping. Reporting your time also contributes to our funding efforts as each hour you contribute is an in kind investment and is a valuable match for grants to support our stewardship work. If you’d like to become an individual volunteer with us, please fill out **[this interest form]()**. We will reply to your inquiry as we are able and appreciate your patience. Need more information, reach out to **[stewardship@alleghenylandtrust.org]().** **Individual volunteer activities that are always permitted include:** * Picking up trash * Cleaning signs, maintaining kiosks and newsletter boxes * Recording observations on **[ebird]() **or [**iNaturalist**]() * Basic maintenance at trailheads and on primary trails, such as trimming back brush and removing debris on the trail * Lending a critical eye and reporting conditions that need our attention **Contact our Stewardship team before doing the following:** * Removing invasive species * Planting anything * Trail improvements beyond basic trimming **Volunteers may not do the following without ALT staff:** * Apply herbicide or any chemicals * Build new trails

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Volunteer with Allegheny Land Trust