Duquesne Light Company Powers Parks Conservancy's Ecological Work in Hays Woods Park

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy today announced a groundbreaking partnership with Duquesne Light Company (DLC) that will bring innovative, data-driven ecological restoration to Hays Woods Park. This first-of-its-kind collaboration will use bird banding data to guide sustainable planting efforts within the utility rights-of-way, enhancing habitats and supporting migratory bird populations in Pittsburgh's newest and second-largest urban park.

Hays Woods Park stretches from Pittsburgh's Southside Flats to Baldwin Borough, encompasses 626 acres of natural wilderness, and features interior forests, wetlands, open streams, meadows, waterfalls, and steep wooded slopes. It is home to burgeoning habitats and a world-renowned bald eagle nest. The park is a vital stopover destination for migratory birds, adding to its ecological significance.

Since Hays Woods received official designation as a City of Pittsburgh Park in 2021, the Parks Conservancy has taken bold steps to restore this urban gem. With support from grassroots organizations and volunteers, the Parks Conservancy has addressed invasive species, spread restoration seeds, installed native pollinator habitats, and enhanced trails. Bird Lab, another vital partner, has conducted bird banding activities over the past three years, uncovering a remarkable diversity of 25 wood-warbler species and gathering essential data to inform restoration efforts.

Catherine Qureshi, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, expressed her gratitude for this transformative partnership.

"We are incredibly thankful for DLC’s commitment to Hays Woods Park. Their investment allows us to leverage bird banding data to create more sustainable and bird-friendly habitats. This collaboration will have a lasting impact on Pittsburgh's newest park and sets a precedent for future ecological restoration efforts," she said.

DLC’s involvement in Hays Woods Park dates back to the early 2000s when they played a crucial role in protecting this urban wilderness from development. Their recent investment will enable the Parks Conservancy and Bird Lab to conduct site assessments, collect native seeds for propagation, remove non-native invasive species from targeted areas, and educate the public about the importance of conservation.

“DLC understands the power of partnerships to strengthen, beautify and empower our communities,” said Christine Waller, vice president of communications and corporate responsibility at DLC. “Our longstanding work with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy on this project and many others aligns with our core company values of community and dependability. This is just one example of a creative, team-driven solution to protect some of the wonderful biodiversity that calls our region home. We were absolutely honored to be a part of it.”

The Parks Conservancy and Bird Lab will analyze four years of bird banding data this summer and fall to inform future plantings, focusing on the number of birds per net, species richness, and recaptures. They will also restore a meadow area with native plants, replace invasive species with resilient understory shrubs, and protect young trees from deer browsing. These efforts will ensure the long-term sustainability of bird habitats within the park.

Councilperson Barb Warwick underscored the importance of this work and collaboration between the project partners.

"As Pittsburgh's newest and most rugged park, Hays Woods has long been a sanctuary for wildlife - especially birds. But urban life presents special challenges to our animal friends," Warwick explained. "Recently, it was a major project to urgently reposition a transmission tower that was affected by a landslide. But instead of just fixing the issue and calling it a day, DLC, the Parks Conservancy, and Bird Lab put their heads together to transform these transmission towers into a stopover destination for migratory birds - allowing us to study them and use that data to improve the habitat and food supply."

The collaboration will culminate in guided hikes and volunteer workdays, allowing the public to learn about bird banding and contribute to habitat preservation. As the Parks Conservancy and Bird Lab continue to spread native seeds and eradicate harmful invasive species, they are building a legacy of ecological stewardship in Hays Woods Park. The lessons learned here will serve as a model for other restoration efforts within DLC’s service area, promoting healthier ecosystems and vibrant communities throughout Pittsburgh.

For more information, please visit pittsburghparks.org/hays-woods.

About Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy:  ​
​The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in December 1996 by a group of citizens concerned with the deteriorating conditions of Pittsburgh’s historic city parks. A non-profit organization, the Parks Conservancy works closely with the City of Pittsburgh under an official public-private partnership agreement to restore and improve the city’s park system to its full potential. To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised more than $145 million and completed 23 major park improvement projects. The Parks Conservancy works with thousands of volunteers, hosts hundreds of events, and provides programming for more than 7,500 children annually.