Events & Volunteer Opportunities
Garden Grooming at Library Park
September 23, 2018
Event, Volunteer Opportunity
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall
300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, Pa., 15106
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is partnering with the Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in the Borough of Carnegie to improve the grounds around the library, known as Library Park. Volunteers will gather to conduct light maintenance activities, including weeding and mulching, at the gardens established last year during RADical Days. This event is one of several free activities the library is hosting on September 23 in celebration of RADical Days. Volunteers will also enjoy special tours of the library’s Civil War room, musical performances, kid-friendly activities and more.
To volunteer, please register in advance by calling 412-586-2324.
Help Pull Out a Community Flower Garden
September 25, 2018 to October 20, 2018
Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteer to pull out a community garden in the fall. With 130 community gardens in the region, there’s sure to be one near you. It’s a great way to give back to your community and it’s a fun team-building activity. So, sign up for you and your group to spend a morning or afternoon getting your hands dirty.
September 25, 2018
9 a.m. - Dormont Ave. & Banksville Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15216
September 28, 2018
9:30 a.m. - McIntyre Rd. & McKnight Rd., Ross Township, PA 15237
September 29, 2018
8:30 a.m. - Route 8 (North Main St.) & Route 422, Butler, PA 16001 (Across from Rachel's Roadhouse)
9 a.m. - Castle Shannon Blvd. & Mount Lebanon Blvd., Castle Shannon, Pittsburgh, PA 15234 (Next to the Castle Shannon T Station)
9 a.m. - Forbes Ave. at Carnegie Museum, Oakland, 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
9 a.m. - Hazelwood Ave., Beechwood Blvd. & Saline St., Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
9 a.m. - South 18th St. at Riverfront Circle Park, South Side Flats, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
October 5, 2018
9 a.m. - 12th St. & East Carson St. - South Side Flats, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
9 a.m. - Mansfield Ave. & Campbells Run Rd. - Carnegie, PA 15106
10:30 a.m. - Lydia St. & Chestnut St. - Carnegie, PA 15106
11:30 a.m. - Parkway West at the Scott/Carnegie Interchange - Carnegie, PA 15106
1 p.m. - Greeley Ave. & Josephine Ave. - South Side Slopes, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
October 6, 2018
9 a.m. - Chestnut Ave. & 8th St. - Altoona, PA 16601
9 a.m. - Chestnut St. & East Ohio St. - East Allegheny, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
9 a.m. - Frankstown Ave. & Bennett St. - Homewood, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
9 a.m. - Greenfield Ave. & Irvine St. - Greenfield, Pittsburgh, PA 15207
9 a.m. - Merrimac Ave. & Grandview Ave. - Mount Washington, Pittsburgh, PA 15211
9:30 a.m. - South Dallas Ave. & Wilkins Ave. - Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Noon - South Aiken Ave. & Centre Ave. - Shadyside, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
12:30 p.m. - Ohio St. & Grant St. - Millvale, Pittsburgh, PA 15209
October 10, 2018
9 a.m. - Brighton Rd. & North Charles St. - California -Kirkbride, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
9 a.m. - Brighton Rd. & North Ave. - Allegheny West, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
9 a.m. - Columbus Ave. & Fulton St. - Manchester, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
9 a.m. - Marshall Ave. & California Ave. - Marshall-Shadeland, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
9 a.m. - Perrysville Ave. & Federal St. - Perry South, Pittsburgh, PA 15214
9 a.m - Spring Garden Ave. & Vinial St. - Spring Garden, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
October 11, 2018
9 a.m. - Liberty Ave. & Commonwealth Pl. at Point State Park - Downtown, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
9:30 a.m. - Highland Park Bridge at Butler St. - Highland Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15215
11:30 a.m. - Allegheny River Blvd. & Washington Blvd. - Highland Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Plant Flowers and Trees at
WPC’s ADA-Accessible Flower Garden
September 25, 2018
Event, Volunteer Opportunity
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WPC’s ADA-Accessible Flower Garden in Shadyside
Join the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and gardeners from The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh to help transition the ADA-accessible raised flower beds from summer blooms to fall mums, and also plant trees and shrubs. The Accessible Flower Garden is located at the First United Methodist Church at Aiken and Centre avenues in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood.
Space is limited, so please register in advance by calling 412-586-2324.
Volunteers 18 years of age or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Garden Care Events
September 26, 2018 to October 21, 2018
Event, Volunteer Opportunity
Would you like to get outside and help care for a community garden? Now that our community gardens have been planted, we need volunteers to help us keep the gardens thriving. We are looking for groups to spend some time weeding the garden beds this summer. A volunteer weeding event will take a few hours. Once we have enough interested volunteers, we will schedule a weeding event at a time that is convenient for your group.
Register online or contact Lynn McGuire-Olzak at 412-586-2324 or lolzak@paconserve.org to learn how to get started. The gardens below need volunteers to care for them this summer:
- Liberty Tunnel & Route 51, Beltzhoover/Mt. Washington/Bon Air
- Lincoln Avene & Frankstown Avenue, Larimer
- Merrimac Street & Grandview Avenue, Mount Washington
- One Heinz Street, North Side Neighborhoods
- Spring Garden Avenue & Vinial Street, North Side Neighborhoods
- Hazelwood Avenue at Beechwood Boulevard & Saline Street, Squirrel Hill
- College Avenue (Route 26) & University Drive, State College
Community Garden Stewards Needed
October 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018
Volunteer Opportunity
Have you ever seen a WPC garden and wondered how it stays looking colorful, strong and healthy? A loyal crew of volunteers known as Garden Stewards cares for the Conservancy’s many gardens. After spring planting, Garden Stewards help water, weed, prune and clean up the areas. Stewards work from spring to fall.
Are you looking for a way to get outside and tend a garden? We can help! Can we count on you to help a garden bloom all summer long? Contact Lynn McGuire-Olzak at 412-586-2324 or lolzak@paconserve.org to learn how to get started. The gardens below need stewards to care for them in 2018:
- Liberty Tunnels and Route 51, Beltzhoover/Bon Air/Mount Washington
- Centre Avenue and Herron Avenue, Hill District
- Route 518 and Idaho Street, Farrell, Mercer County
- Route 40 and Broadway Street, Brownsville, Fayette County
Become a WPC Ambassador
October 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018
Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteer for Land Stewardship
October 1, 2018 to November 10, 2018
Volunteer Opportunity
Do you enjoy hiking and getting outdoors? Become a Land Stewardship Volunteer! WPC owns and cares for more than 12,000 acres of land free and open to the public for outdoor recreation. Land Stewardship volunteers help keep these natural areas clean and safe. You can choose from a variety of locations to volunteer from March through November. It’s fun, hard work, and you’ll learn a lot, too! For example, you’ll learn from WPC staff about invasive plants that crowd out native species, and how to remove them. You may also work with staff to build and maintain hiking trails. Can we count on you to help protect these special places? Check out the schedule and pre-register today!
October 27, 2018
CONIFER PLANTATION MANAGEMENT - Bear Run Nature Reserve, Fayette County
Over the next few years, we’ll be restoring areas of native forest within the planted pine and spruce plantations. Come learn about this unique pilot project, and help with tasks like tree girdling.
November 10, 2018
WRAP-UP POTLUCK
Location TBD
In addition to the dates listed above, occasional weekday projects will be scheduled. Workdays are typically held rain or shine. If a workday is cancelled, a message will immediately be sent to the volunteer land steward email list (the website may not be updated for a day or so). To sign up for the email list or for further information, please contact:
Andrew Zadnik
Director of Land Stewardship
azadnik@paconserve.org
412-586-2318
Everyone Should Garden Workshop
October 3, 2018
Event
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Homewood Branch, Room 1
Join the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy for an in-depth look at its 30-year effort to beautify the county’s communities with colorful blooms through its many community flower gardens. Learn about the many benefits of gardening and how all community residents can participate. You’ll gain insights on how to help make your community more attractive and vibrant with flower gardens and other greening approaches. Using successful WPC models, the discussion will provide useful information on all aspects of garden design and development, implementation and maintenance.
Space is limited, so please register in advance by calling 412-586-2324.
A Walk in Penn’s Woods Hikes
October 7, 2018
Event
Mark your calendar for Sunday, Oct. 7 to celebrate a Walk in Penn's Woods, a day on which Pennsylvanians can join dozens of guided hikes to celebrate Penn’s Woods!
1 to 3 p.m.
Wolf Creek Narrows Natural Area
This guided hike will include a 1.5-mile loop through loose soil, exposed roots with nearby streams and wetlands. This is a moderate Walk. Pets on leashes are allowed. This is not a wheelchair or stroller-friendly walk. Email azadnik@paconserve.org for hike details.
2 to 4 p.m.
Helen B. Katz Natural Area
This hike will explore the Helen B. Katz Natural Area, featuring mature floodplain forest along the meandering Cussewago Creek. Portions of the hike will be off-trail. Tall hiking boots or knee boots are recommended. Email tjohnston@paconserve.org for hike details.
Land Access Innovations Training:
Affordable Farmland Protection Strategies
October 10, 2018
Event
Land Access Innovations Training: Affordable Farmland Protection Strategies
Land trust professionals, farmland preservation boards and other conservation professionals are invited to a one-day training session at the Mattress Factory on Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The full-day training, provided by the National Young Farmers Coalition, will discuss the use of enhanced agricultural easements and shared-equity land ownership in Pennsylvania. A $25 registration fee is required by Friday, Sept. 28. To view full training details and to purchase tickets, please visit the NYFC’s event page.
The Conservancy is pleased to serve on the planning committee for this event.
Volunteer to Plant Trees
October 20, 2018 to November 17, 2018
Volunteer Opportunity
Help plant trees along streets, trails, in parks and restoration areas throughout the region. Every spring and fall volunteers plant hundreds of trees around Western Pennsylvania. When you help plant trees, you help create a green and healthy region. You’ll also learn about different types of trees and tree care. Check out the planting schedule and pre-register today.
October 20, 2018
Pittsburgh Redbud Project Event
9:00 a.m. - North Shore - Carnegie Science Center (1 Allegheny Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212)
10:00 a.m. - Manchester - Meeting location: 1800 Chateau Street (vacant lot on the corner of Chateau St and Columbus Ave) Pittsburgh, PA 15233
October 23, 2018
Pittsburgh Redbud Project Event
9:00 a.m. - North Shore - PNC Park Riverfront (1 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212)
October 27, 2018
9:00 a.m. - Harrison Township - Highlands High School (1500 Pacific Ave, Natrona Heights, PA 15065)
November 3, 2018
Pittsburgh Redbud Project Event
9:00 a.m. - Downtown Pittsburgh - Gateway Islands (Liberty Ave & Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh PA 15222)
9:00 a.m. - Johnstown - Alternative Community Resource Program Play Center (917 Chestnut Street, Johnstown, PA 15906)
November 10, 2018
9:00 a.m. - Lawrenceville - Leslie Park (201 46th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201)
November 10, 2018
9:00 a.m. - Park Place - The Factory (7501 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15208)
9:00 a.m. - Squirrel Hill - Northumberland St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
9:00 a.m. - Clairton - Clairton Resident Park (Huffman Drive, Clairton, PA 15025)