Environmental Stewardship Symposium

The Pittsburgh Regional Environmental Stewardship Symposium will be held Saturday, July 11, 2009, from 8:30am to 3:00pm at the Frick Environmental Charter School.  The event will feature a keynote address by Dr. Steven Handel, Professor of Ecology and Evolution at Rutgers University, and provide an opportunity to learn about stewardship efforts around the country.  Afternoon workshops in Frick Park with local environmental organizations provide an on-the-ground look at how citizens are transforming Pittsburgh.

Registration is $15 for the general public and $10 for members of a local stewardship program (EcoStewards, Tree Tenders, Master Gardeners, Allegheny Land Trust members).  Space is limited, so register today!

Click here to download the registration form.

The symposium is a project of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Allegheny Land Trust, Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest, Frick Environmental Center, the Frick Environmental Charter School, Mount Washington Community Development Corporation, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, the Penn State Cooperative Extension, and REI. 

Agenda

8:30 – 9:00
Breakfast and Registration

9:00 – 9:10
Introduction of program and partners

9:10 – 10:30
Dr. Steven Handel, Rutgers University

10:30 – 11:00
Tea and Partner Information Tables

11:00 – 11:30
Local Stewardship Efforts & Programs Map

11:30 – 11:45
Emerald Ash Borer

11:45 – 12:45
Lunch (provided)

12:45 – 3:00
Outdoor Workshop Sessions (Rain or Shine)

  • Invasive and Native Plant Look-a-likes (Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy)
  • Gardening with Showy Natives (Penn State Cooperative Extension)
  • Restoration tour of Nine Mile Run (Nine Mile Run Watershed Association)
  • Neighborhood Street Tree Tour (Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest)
  • Edible Landscapes (Mount Washington CDC)

3:00
Optional Happy Hour at the Map Room

Upcoming Events

Spring volunteer work days start up in March. Check out the schedule and help keep our parks beautiful. 

See photos of the restoration progress at Mellon Square on our Flickr site.

Stay up-to-date with our current projects on our blog.

Info for Volunteers

What to bring: Long pants, closed-toe shoes with good tread, all-weather clothing, a reusable water bottle (if you have one).

What will be provided: All necessary tools, gloves, materials, snacks, and instruction.

What to expect:  Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy volunteer work days are typically 4 hours long, rain or shine, and involve some type of ecological restoration work such as planting trees or wildflowers, controlling erosion, building trails, managing invasive species, or cleaning up dumpsites. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about safety and technique, provide you with tools and materials, and help you make a difference in our amazing parks. Expect to have fun, meet people who love the outdoors, and get dirty!