he Westmoreland Land Trust is expanding a preservation project at its St. Xavier site by planting native grasses and wildflowers. Along Route 30 in Unity, the St. Xavier Nature Preserve is part of an ongoing collaboration with Saint Vincent College, which donated cameras and other infrastructure to create livestreams of three bird nest boxes. The space contains almost 248 acres. It was purchased by the trust for about $1 million with funds provided by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Conservation Fund Act. Last October, more than 2,300 trees were planted in the first project designed to preserve the property. John Lohr, board member and former board chair, said that the trees have been doing very well. “We purposely planted the trees in the dormant season, and they have been taking very well and did well over winter,” Lohr said. “We’re working on preserving about 80 of the 250 acres of the property right now.”

Photo Credit: Shane Dunlap/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review