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Highlights
Camp Meeting Woods Biological Diversity Area
Fern Hollow is located within the Camp Meeting Woods Bioogical Diversity Area. This BDA is recognized as both a High Diversity Area and a Community/Ecosystem Conservation Area which encompasses a significant forest and stream community. In the face of development pressures, it is important to preserve these regional assests.
The Sewickley Hunt
The Sewickley Hunt, a tradition in Sewickley Heights since 1922, uses the trails for a “drag hunt” that is run two times per week. Fox hunting, steeped in history, is a sport enjoyed by riders, foxhounds and horses alike. The hounds chase the fox and the riders follow the hounds as they go across the countryside. The Sewickley Hunt is the seventh oldest "drag pack" in the United States.
In a drag hunt, the hounds chase the scent of the fox rathar than a live fox. About an hour prior to the hunt, a person drags the fox scent through the fields, woods, ravines, streams and underbrush where a fox might typically go. This creates the route for approximately 20 hounds and 30 riders. The season runs from Labor Day through January, weather permitting. Hunts are on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Thanksgiving Day.
The Hunt is a family event attended by people of all ages, attracting about 50 participants per hunt. In 1995, the Hunt celebrated their 75th Anniversary at which 150 riders attended. The Hunt maintains the trails that are used for their events. This ALT acquisition protects trails historically used by the Hunt, which has become a unique tradition in this part of southwestern Pennsylvania.