On August 26, 2022, WLT acquired the 248-acre St. Xavier Nature Preserve along US Route 30 and St. Xavier just west of the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity Township, near Latrobe.  This acquisition was made with funding assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural resources Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (DCNR) and from the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.  WLT was honored to work with the Sisters of Mercy to secure conservation of this extraordinary property that was the site of the St. Xavier Academy and Convent until those buildings were destroyed by a fire in 1972.  The land will be conserved in perpetuity as a nature preserve, with a Civil War-era guesthouse “Bellbrook” serving as the base of operations for the park.

A September 9, 2023 Open House celebrated conservation of this lovely nature preserve.  From that date, the grounds have been open to the public.

The WLT is deeply grateful to the Sisters of Mercy and DCNR and the many others who have helped with this important conservation acquisition; it would not have been possible without your assistance and support. 

Please email [email protected] or write Westmoreland Land Trust / 218 Donohoe Road / Greensburg PA 15601 if you would like to be placed on a mailing list for the St. Xavier Nature Preserve.

Please donate to advance the St. Xavier Nature Preserve online* or mail your donation to Westmoreland Land Trust / 218 Donohoe Road / Greensburg PA  15601.  The Westmoreland Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.   Contributions to the trust are tax-deductible under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent of the law.

*If you would like your donation to be directed to the St. Xavier Nature Preserve, please show this designation;  the WLT tracks and adheres to all donor designations for use of funds.