The Otto and Magdalene Nature Preserve is a natural treasure in North Huntingdon Township, providing ecological value and offering scenic beauty and discoveries to those who visit – whether for a casual walk or for a full day of exploration.
Thank you WLT Board member Malcolm Sias for building, placing and stocking the walking stick holder at the Ackermann Preserve
The Preserve is a high quality deciduous forest holding a former stone quarry, scenic wooded slopes, and a forested floodplain of a tributary to Brush Creek. There are trails and natural areas as well as historic man-made features of interest. Visit year-round to enjoy the Preserve’s wildlife, birds, wildflowers, and scenic beauty.
Many volunteer at the Preserve, and area businesses often select the Preserve for a enjoyable volunteer work day in a beautiful setting.
Please contact us to arrange for this fun way to give back to the community!
Many individuals and area businesses also contribute toward improvements at the Preserve, or other work of the WLT including education workshops offered under the PA Educational Incentive Tax Credit program. Please contact us to learn more!
Resources
Trail map/brochure (hard copies are available at the information kiosk at the Preserve)
The Story of the Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve
Frogs of Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve
Salamanders and Snakes of Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve
Brief Conversation with the Ackermann Family about the Preserve
Extended Conversation with the Ackermann Family about the Preserve
Aerial tour of the Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve generously contributed by I.B. Dronin Photography
Directions
To reach the reserve from points west (Pittsburgh/Allegheny County)
From Pittsburgh’s Parkway East (I-376), the intersection of US 30 and PA 48 can be reached by driving 7 miles on US 30 east/Ardmore Blvd from Exit 78A – Forest Hills, or by driving 5 ½ miles south on PA 48 from Exit 84A – Monroeville.
From the intersection of PA 48 and US 30, travel east on US 30 for ½ mile to make a left onto Leger Road (Sheetz on the right-hand corner).
Turn left onto Leger Road and travel through the countryside for 2 miles. (Ignore the closed road signs as they are referring to the bridge over Brush Creek). Look for the Ackermann reserve sign on the left and park at the end of the grassy strip between two homes.
To reach the reserve from points east (Turnpike at Greensburg/Irwin)
Travel US 30 west through Irwin and North Huntingdon. Two miles from the light at Robbins Station Road (after several Kenny Ross car dealerships), continue 2 miles on US 30 west to Leger Road (Sheetz is on the left-hand intersection).
Turn right onto Leger Road and travel through the countryside for 2 miles. Look for the Ackermann reserve sign on the left and park at the end of the grassy strip between two homes.
