Sep 30: Urban Farm Tour

The Pittsburgh Urban Farm Tour highlights the agricultural production capacity in urbanized areas of Pittsburgh and surrounding neighborhoods. This self-guided tour provides a unique opportunity to connect with local food, farmers, and the promise that sustainable agriculture holds for the future. Proceeds benefit the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) in their mission to support farms across our region while shining the spotlight on exemplary urban agriculture developments across the City. 

• Braddock Farms 
•  Drew Mathieson Center 
•  FIT Farms 
•  Frick Greenhouse 
•  Garden Dreams Urban Farm & Nursery 
•  Garfield Community Farm 
•  Homewood Historical Community Farm 
•  Hops on Lots 
•  Pittsburgh Oasis Farm & Fishery 
•  Sankofa Village Community Garden 
•  Shiloh Farm 
•  Steel City Soils 
•  Sylvania Natives

Check-in at the East End Food Co-op (7516 Meade St. 15208) from 12:30-4 p.m., farms open 1-6 p.m.  $25 cars, $10 bicycles.  Online registration is encouraged and will be open until Friday at noon, but walk-ins are also possible!  Presented by the East End Food Co-op (EEFC) in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council (PFPC) and the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)

Sep 26: Town Hall on Water

Speak up! Speak out! Pittsburgh is not only facing a lead crisis, but our water rates are rapidly rising and many of our neighborhoods have been under "Flush and Boil" advisories in the past year. 

Want to learn about what is happening at PWSA and what you and your neighbors can do to ensure ensure safe, affordable, publicly controlled water? Join us for a Town Hall hosted by the Our Water Campaign! 

Together, we’ve accomplished a lot:

- Free water filter program 
-Halted dangerous partial line replacements 
-Passed legislation that supports low-income residents in need of line replacements
- Worked with the PWSA Affordability Committee to ensure affordable water in PGH!

That's a lot to win and the biggest reason we've won that is because we have been able to work WITH our public water authority to begin solving these problems. However, IMG, a Maryland based consultant group, is pushing for corporate takeover of PWSA. Our water is too important to be left in the hands of a for-profit corporation.

We’ve already experienced French-based company, Veolia, come in, take over our water system, cut costs to make $11 million in profit for themselves, and leave us with lead in our water, billing problems, and a broken water system.

It's time to come together to say that we stand with the Mayor on his commitment to a public solution to our city's water issues. We can’t bring Reagan era policies back, we need to prioritize people over profits and ensure safe, affordable, public water for Pittsburgh!

6-8 p.m. at Pittsburgh UNITED (841 California Ave Ste 3, 15212).  Free, dinner provided, family-friendly, 120 free water filters!  Check in on Facebook.

Sep 27-28: Integrity of Creation conference

I [Maren] make no bones about my lack of religion.  But one thing that some religious folks and I can agree about is that we humans, who have come into a great deal of power, need to take better care of the world.  Duquesne University's third annual Presidential Conference on the Integrity of Creation will take a close look at the Global Water Crisis.

Information and online registration are here.

Sep 17: Air quality hike in Dead Man's Hollow

Join the Allegheny Land Trust's Environmental Education Team for an easy- to moderate-level hike at our Dead Man's Hollow Conservation Area.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the natural and mysterious features of this 450 acre green space. We will look for lichens and ozone sensitive species of plants.  Friends from GASP's Athletes United for Healthy Air program will tell us more about regional air quality, ways to reduce our exposure to air pollution and how each of us can be a champion for healthy air.

We will start at the Boston Ballfield parking area and Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trailhead and restrooms.  Please wear appropriate shoes (sneakers/boots) and bring a water bottle.

1-3 p.m. at Boston Ballfield Park (1906 Donner Street, McKeesport, PA 15135).  Free and open to the public;  please register in advance here.

This activity is in association with AirSpace, a collaborative effort between GTECH and GASP to creatively engage Allegheny County residents with topics related to air quality and environmental justice.

Sep 13: Air Up the Allegheny Valley

Air Information for Those Up the Allegheny River

Join the Group Against Smog & Pollution (GASP) and your neighbors for a discussion on air quality in the Natrona, Natrona Heights, and Brackenridge communities.  Attendees will learn more about what is impacting their air quality, what health affects are associated with exposure to air pollution, and what they can do about it.  Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and share experiences and information.  Sources in this region affect everyone from Sarver to New Kensington to Apollo and beyond -- so if you live near here and want to learn more, please attend.  RSVP and get more details here.

7-9 p.m. at the American Legion (59 Garfield Street, Natrona Heights, PA  15065)

Sep 11: Permaculture film screening

Join Sustainable Monroeville for a free screening of the amazingly uplifting documentary INHABIT. There will be a whole-food, plant-based potluck supper prior to the screening.

Pot luck at 6 p.m. followed by the screening, at the Monroeville Public Library. Free and open to the public.

Sep 8: Sustainability Pioneers at FEC

Enjoy beer or wine and insightful fun with fellow nature lovers at one of the greenest

buildings on earth - and watch the 10th and final episode of the Sustainability Pioneers series.

The short documentary Sustainability Pioneers: Finding Our Power follows how the Frick Environmental Center rose from the ashes, and how the City of Pittsburgh takes the high road after president Trump reneges on the Paris climate treaty.  We meet Bill Peduto, the mayor of Pittsburgh, and Renée Lertzman, climate, energy and climate change consultant and engagement strategist, for their insights on to help people move from climate melancholia to climate action.

A community conversation, facilitated by the filmmaker Kirsi Jansa, will follow after the screening. Then drink, mingle, learn, and enjoy live music outdoors (or in a covered space, if raining) during this 21+ event.  

6:30-9 p.m. at the Frick Environmental Center.

Purchase tickets in advance (recommended) here, 

and check in on Facebook here. 

September's Sustainable Sipping is presented by The Falk School of Sustainability & Environment at Chatham University.  This month's theme is EQUITY. Join us for:

• Drinks courtesy of Great Lakes Brewing Company.
• One of the first showings of the 10th and final episode of Sustainability Pioneers, a web-based, short video documentary series that highlights people and communities taking bold steps to address climate change. This final episode follows the evolution of the Frick Environmental Center and chronicles its rise from the ashes like the mythic Phoenix. It also captures how the City of Pittsburgh takes the high road after President Trump reneges on the Paris Climate Treaty. After the video screening, there will be an opportunity to speak with the video producer, Kirsi Jansa.
• Discussion with 412 Food Rescue on food inequity, and their innovative programs to fight hunger in Pittsburgh. 
• Live music by The Wreckids.
• Delicious bites from Greek Gourmet.

Ticket price includes two drink tickets and our happy hour buffet.