Pittsburgh, Pa. – Feb. 19, 2019 – The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is seeking volunteer garden stewards for several of its community flower gardens in Allegheny, Centre, Clarion and Fayette counties. The garden locations in need of stewards, along with the associated garden sponsors if applicable, are listed below.
After its 132 community flower gardens are planted each spring, the Conservancy relies on a dedicated group of volunteers, called garden stewards, to give regular attention and care to these gardens. Stewards work during the spring and summer months to keep the gardens healthy and blooming into the fall.
WPC is currently seeking volunteer stewards to “adopt” these gardens to regularly prune, water, weed and remove litter and debris. Individuals, community groups or businesses interested in volunteering to steward any of these gardens should contact Lynn McGuire-Olzak at 412-586-2324 or lolzak@paconserve.org.
Downtown Pittsburgh: Liberty Avenue at Commonwealth Place
This garden is sponsored by Key Bank and Pennsylvania American Water.
Pittsburgh: Liberty Tunnels at Rt. 51 (Beltzhoover)
Pittsburgh: Highland Park Bridge at Butler Street (Highland Park)
This garden is sponsored by Echo and Giant Eagle.
Pittsburgh: Centre and Herron avenues (Hill District)
This garden is sponsored by Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, ALCOSAN and the University of Pittsburgh.
Castle Shannon: Castle Shannon and Mt. Lebanon boulevards
Homestead: Homestead Grays Bridge at 8th Avenue
This garden is sponsored by Pennsylvania American Water.
State College: College Avenue and University Drive in Centre County
Shippenville: Rt. 66 and Rt. 322 in Clarion County
Matthew Wagle of Wells Fargo Advisors is the financial sponsor of this garden.
Connellsville: Rt. 119 and Pittsburgh Street in Fayette County
Chevron is the financial sponsor of this garden.
The generosity of the Conservancy’s financial sponsors makes it possible for the Conservancy to purchase the flowers, mulch and water to help establish and sustain these colorful and attractive gardens. Other local businesses, companies, foundations, organizations and individuals interested in sponsoring a community garden should call 412-586-2312 or email jholmes@paconserve.org for more information.
Media interview opportunities at these garden locations and/or over the phone with McGuire-Olzak can be arranged by contacting Carmen Bray at 412-586-2358 or cbray@paconserve.org. Photos of these gardens are available for media use courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
Register today to become a garden steward at one of the locations listed above.
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About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped to establish 11 state parks, conserved more than a quarter million acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy owns and operates Fallingwater, which symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 132 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of about 12,000 volunteers. The work of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 9,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org or Fallingwater.org.
Media Contact:
Carmen Bray
Director of Communications
412-586-2358
cbray@paconserve.org