Sustainable Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania’s Shale Gas Boom: What the Shapiro Administration Can Do to Better Protect Public Health
2025-04-01 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Provided by The Environmental Health Project

Pennsylvania residents impacted by the vast network of shale gas infrastructure—wells, compressor stations, processing plants, pipelines, truck traffic, etc.—had every reason to expect that Gov. Shapiro and his administration, once in office, would work hard to defend their health from sources of pollution. Two years later, residents are still waiting for meaningful action.

Join the Environmental Health Project on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from noon to 1 p.m., for the virtual release of “Pennsylvania’s Shale Gas Boom: What the Shapiro Administration Can Do to Better Protect Public Health,” a companion piece to their 2022 white paper.

EHP will highlight perspectives from frontline residents and members of government before providing recommendations for steps the Shapiro administration can take to effectively champion Pennsylvanians’ health in the face of shale gas development.

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Building a Greener Future: "Material Reuse in Construction and Beyond"
2025-04-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, United States
Presented by The Green Voice and Duquesne Light

This engaging panel discussion will shed light on the innovative, sustainable practices shaping the future of the built environment.

– Discover cutting-edge solutions in material reuse

– Gain insights from top sustainability and construction experts

– Network with industry leaders, educators, and innovators

Featured Speakers

Moderator:

– Grant Ervin, Vice President of External Affairs and Sustainability, S&B USA

Panelists:

– Michael Volpatt , Vice President of Marketing & Innovation, Volpatt Construction

– Cory Bonnet, LEED AP/Artist in Residence, Energy Innovation Center

– Andrew Ellsworth, Founder & CEO, Doors Unhinged

– Boyd Jones, Business Support Manager, Michael Brothers Companies

– Brittany Prischak, Director of the Department of Sustainability for Allegheny County

– Bob Shelton, AIA, Principal Architect & President, Shelton Design/Build

– Matt Wheatley, Co-Founder, Veritrove

– Bhavini Patel, Executive Director, Sustainable Pittsburgh

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La Fleur at Phipps
2025-04-03 18:30 - 21:30 | Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, One Schenley Park, PA, United States
Presented by Phipps Conservatory and Green Voice Sustainable Business and Lifestyle Collective

Phipps Conservatory and Green Voice Sustainable Business and Lifestyle Collective are proud to present La Fleur — a one-of-a-kind event featuring music, art, fashion, culture and botany within Phipps’ historic glasshouse. Enjoy a myriad of unique performances that will take place within iconic display rooms such as Palm Court, Broderie Room, South Conservatory and more.

Kick off Earth Month with this sustainable celebration like never before while exploring the new Phipps Spring Flower Show: A Bloom for Every Room!

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Racial Equity Collaboratory Launch
2025-04-08 17:00 - 19:00
Provided by the University of PittsburghThe Racial Equity Collaboratory at the University of Pittsburgh serves as an online central repository for social justice and race-related research. It enhances race-based research and fosters connections between internal and external researchers, scholars, and community partners. As a strategic hub, it brings together faculty, staff, students, and community partners to advance research, education, and praxis toward racial equity and justice.

CRSP is excited to partner with the Center for Health Equity, Center for Racial Justice and Civil Rights, Center for Urban Education, Center for African Studies, Center for Ethnic Studies Research and the Department of Africana Studies on this important initiative.

Enjoy:

· Free professional headshots on site during the event!

· Collaborative sessions to foster innovation and partnership

· Panel discussion with leading experts in race-based research

· Networking opportunities with like-minded professionals

· Evening refreshments

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SCDN Policy Connection: Tracking Federal Policy Shifts & Funding Opportunities for Sustainability Initiatives
2025-04-10 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
Join Sustainable Pittsburgh for a timely webinar on the recent federal policy changes and funding opportunities impacting local sustainability efforts. With the freeze on federal funding lifted at this time, Pennsylvania stands to regain access to critical resources. However, uncertainty remains as new executive orders and pending legislation continue to shape the federal landscape. This session will provide an overview of current federal policies and their impact on both municipalities and partner organizations seeking to advance sustainable development initiatives.

Experts will share strategies for navigating existing federal funding streams and adapting to evolving federal regulations. Participants will also explore best practices to collaborate, share resources, and strengthen local sustainability initiatives in this shifting environment. Register today to learn the latest updates and get ready to seize funding opportunities for your community’s sustainability goals!

Featured Speakers:

Zealan Hoover (he/him)External AdvisorEnvironmental Protection Network

Annabelle Rosser (she/her)Senior Policy AnalystAtlas Public Policy

Sawyer Sidelinger (they/them)Program Manager and Systems AdministratorSustainable Pittsburgh

John Ukenye, J.D. (he/him)Senior Director of Policy and Strategic InitiativesSustainable Pittsburgh

Access Speaker Bios

Who Should Attend:

Local government leaders

Municipal managers/planners

Community sustainability practitioners

Local government consultants

Leaders and professionals interested in Federal policy & funding opportunities

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City & State PA Energy Summit
2025-04-22 08:30 - 12:00 | Hilton Harrisburg, 1 North 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA, United States
Provided by City & State Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Energy Summit brings together state and local government officials, energy industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability advocates to explore the future of energy in Pennsylvania. The summit focuses on addressing critical energy challenges, sharing innovative solutions, and discussing the role of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and policy frameworks in shaping a sustainable energy future for the state.

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Sustainable Business Breakfast
2025-04-28 08:00 - 10:00
Provided by Pittsburgh Earth Day

The 10th Annual Sustainable Business Breakfast, part of the Green Voice Speaker Series, invites thought leaders to explore the intersection of the environment, politics, and business. This year’s theme, “Transition: The Environment, Politics, and Business,” will feature an esteemed panel of experts, moderated by Grant Ervin, Vice President of External Affairs and Sustainability at S&B USA.

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PGH Comprehensive Plan: Public Forum
2025-04-30 17:00 - 19:00
Pittsburgh is undergoing significant changes, and for the first time ever, our city is creating one comprehensive plan encompassing all 90 neighborhoods. This presents a unique opportunity for us to ensure these changes benefit everyone.

At this gathering, we’ll explore what a “Just Transition” means for our communities:

– Ensuring new development benefits current residents

– Creating job opportunities across all neighborhoods

– Implementing environmental improvements citywide

– Giving all communities a meaningful voice in decisions

During the event, you’ll have the chance to learn about the citywide plan, connect with like-minded neighbors, and understand alot more about Pittsburgh’s changes.

Food will be provided!

Your perspective is invaluable—the decisions made now will shape Pittsburgh for decades to come. Your input helps ensure that changes reflect what residents truly want and need.

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Building Vibrant Communities: Resilient Space Strategies
2025-05-13 16:00 - 17:30
Provided by: Green Building Alliance

This workshop will look at common risks such as extreme heat, precipitation, flood, drought, wildfires and poor air quality, and see examples of resilient buildings in communities at similar risk. Participants in this workshop will walk away with a self-constructed toolkit to assist in advocacy for more energy efficient and resilient changes in the buildings in their neighborhoods, as well as compliance with Pittsburgh climate and resilience ordinances.

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City of Pittsburgh Hazard Mitigation Plan
2025-05-15 14:00 - 15:30
Provided by: City of Pittsburgh

Earlier this year, the City began efforts to establish a Hazard Mitigation Plan to address a wide range of threats like fires, train accidents and landslides. In light of last week’s storm and as a result of the Mayor’s Executive Order, that effort will now be expanded to account for the increasing frequency and severity of storms exacerbated by climate change.

As part of this process, the city will host a Zoom Webinar to allow residents to learn more about the plan and how they can get involved in shaping the city’s future climate resilience strategy.

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Public Safety Facilities as Leaders in Resilience
2025-05-27 09:00 - 10:30
Presented by: Green Building Alliance

Explore regional examples of EMS buildings leading the way in resilience. Through their stories, learn how renewable energy installations, energy-efficient upgrades, and sustainable design can reduce utility and operational costs, create healthier environments for first responders, and help emergency buildings better serve their communities by becoming more self-sufficient and disaster-ready.

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Community Engagement for Industrial Decarbonization Projects
2025-05-28 12:00 - 13:30
Provided by SWPA Municipal Project Hub

This webinar will cover the requirement that large projects utilizing the Community Benefits Bonus have a commitment to a Community Benefits Agreement – speakers will explain the difference between a plan and an agreement and how to meet the requirement.

This webinar is specifically designed for medium and large industrial firms-including manufacturers, energy producers, mining, and construction companies who are considering or preparing RISE PA applications. Sustainability leads, project managers, compliance teams, and community relations staff will also benefit from attending.

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Energy Transitions: Building Strategic Resilience in Energy
2025-05-29 13:00 - 14:00
Provided by the University of Pittsburgh

In this webinar, attendees will hear from leading industry experts: Dr. Kris Ramanadhan, former Vice President ExxonMobil China, Albrecht Powell, Managing Director, Data and Applied Intelligence at Accenture, and Dr. Ravi Madhavan, Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. This webinar will consist of a collaborative discussion on the latest developments in energy transitions, the existential threat to businesses, and resilient strategies given an unpredictable and unprecedented future.

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Solar Punk Future
2025-05-29 13:00 - 18:00
Organized by: ReImagine Jobs, Geek Art/Green Innovators, New Sun Rising, Communitopia, involveMINT, The Climate Reality Project, The Breathe Project, and The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund

At Solar Punk Future 2025, attendees will immerse themselves in a dynamic fusion of interactive art exhibits, mesmerizing performances, thought-provoking discussions, and a sustainability-focused job fair. Whether you’re an eco-enthusiast, a tech aficionado, or simply intrigued by a greener tomorrow, there’s an experience tailored just for you.

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Inspire Speakers Series presents: Building Resilient Communities
2025-05-29 17:00 - 20:30 | Spartan Community Center, 134 E Elizabeth St, Pittsburgh, 15207
Presented by Green Building Alliance

Join Green Building Alliance and an outstanding roster of speakers May 29 at the Spartan Community Center, as they explore the stories and strategies of regional leaders who are building community resilience, modernizing the built environment, strengthening social networks, and constructing healthy, vibrant, and significant spaces where people can thrive.

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Inspire Speakers Series Resilient Community Workshops
2025-05-30 11:00 - 18:30 | GBA Office, 317 E. Carson Street, Pittsburgh
Presented by Green Building Alliance

Local nonprofits, neighborhood developers, and residents are leading the way in resilience by adapting infrastructure, improving building performance and health, reducing energy demand and protecting communities from outages, mitigating flood and other severe weather risks, increasing opportunity in the workforce, and engaging deeply with their communities to address their most critical needs. Join Green Building Alliance and fellow changemakers as they explore grassroots sustainability and resilience efforts across our region. Participants can look forward to sharing ideas and strategies for strengthening communities and increasing the longevity of places where people can thrive.

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SCDN Policy Connection: Moving the Region - Exploring an Equitable Transit Future
2025-06-05 12:00 - 13:30
Join Sustainable Pittsburgh for a dynamic webinar focused on the future of public transportation in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and the broader 10-county southwestern Pennsylvania region. As our region faces the threat of significant transit cuts, the need for a fully funded and equitable transit system has never been more urgent. This session will dive into the challenges at hand, including the impact on our communities, and explore how we can avoid a future of reduced access and mobility.

We’ll also take a broader look at transit systems across the U.S. and around the world, examining success stories we can learn from. From sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions to economically thriving, connected communities, we’ll explore what a properly funded public transit system can look like and why it’s critical to our region’s long-term resilience and prosperity.

Experts will discuss the latest updates on public transit in our region, share strategies for advocating for its further investment, and highlight best practices for building a thriving, connected, and equitable region. Register today to learn how we can shape a transit system that works for everyone—driving economic growth, climate action, and social equity.

Guest Speakers

Jaspal Singh (he/him)

Senior Director – Membership and Global Operations (MGO)

UITP (International Association of Public Transport)

Catherine Tulley (she/her)

Manager of Environmental Programs

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission

Ryan Warsing (he/him)

Director of Sustainability

Pittsburgh Regional Transit

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Who Should Attend

Municipal staff

Local elected officials

Sustainability professionals

Individual users of public transit

Other stakeholders

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Three Rivers Waterkeeper presents What’s in Pittsburgh’s Rivers
2025-06-10 11:00 - 12:00
Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh to learn about your local waterways, how to advocate for clean water, and local riparian ecology. Participants will learn how to spot and report water pollution and what makes our rivers and streams so great!

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City of Pittsburgh Comprehensive Plan: Just Transition
2025-06-12 17:00 - 20:00
Join the City of Pittsburgh to explore what a “Just Transition” means for our communities:

Ensuring new development benefits current residents

Creating job opportunities across all neighborhoods

Implementing environmental improvements citywide

Giving all communities a meaningful voice in decisions

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Sustainability + Building Tour Series: Pollinator Friendly Garden
2025-06-15 13:00 - 14:30
Join the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for the first of their Sustainability + Building Tour series with the aim of sharing ideas and creating community around sustainability issues. The Frick Environmental Center is one of the greenest buildings in the world, boasting LEED Platinum and Living Building Certification. The philosophy of the Living Building Challenge imagines buildings that improve—rather than degrade– the environment around them. For this tour, we’ll be spending more time in the native plant and pollinator garden on the building’s campus, learning various species of plants that improve the Frick Environmental Center’s campus for other creatures beyond humans.

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Oakland Restaurant Week
2025-06-16 08:00 - 2025-06-21 22:00
The Oakland Business Improvement District (OBID) invites food lovers and neighborhood supporters to enjoy a week-long celebration of the neighborhood’s restaurant scene during Oakland Restaurant Week, happening June 16th–21st.

This special event showcases the diverse dining options that makes Oakland one of Pittsburgh’s most flavorful and thriving neighborhoods. From tacos and burgers, to sweet treats and sushi, Oakland Restaurant Week will highlight exclusive specials and promotions from beloved local spots including Stack’d, Smashed Waffles, Dave and Andy’s Ice Cream, Viva Los Tacos, Sushi Atarashi, and many more. Whatever your craving Oakland Restaurant Week offers the perfect opportunity to explore what makes Oakland’s small businesses so special.

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Construction Budget Resource Launch
2025-06-16 14:00 - 15:00
Join the Environmental Protection Network (EPN) and the Community Engineering Corps (CECorps) to launch and walk through their new construction budget guide to support Environmental Justice nonprofits and communities in planning budgets for construction projects.

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2025 One Water Summit
2025-07-08 08:00 - 2025-07-11 17:00
Join the US Water Alliance and hundreds of top water leaders in Pittsburgh, PA for One Water Summit 2025! One Water Summit is the premier national conference focused on sustainable, integrated, and inclusive approaches to managing water. One Water Summit is a one-of-a kind event that connects, inspires, and aligns those who are working to secure our nation’s water future.

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Allegheny County Eco Night
2025-07-13 17:30 - 19:30 | Hartwood Acres Amphitheater, 4000 Middle Road, Allison Park, Pennsylvania, 15101
Presented by Allegheny County’s Sustainability Department

Join Allegheny County’s Sustainability Department for the 2025 Eco Night on Sunday, July 13, 2025 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at the beautiful Hartwood Acres amphitheater. This family-friendly, zero-waste event is a great opportunity to boost eco-IQ and learn how to take action to protect the local environment and community through hands-on activities, demonstrations, games, and more.

All food trucks onsite use eco-friendly packaging, and appropriate waste disposable stations will be available throughout the event area. Eco Night will be followed by an amazing free concert by Mo Lowda and the Humble. Learn more here.

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PA Rising Gathering – Maximizing Project Competitiveness with Technical Assistance, Best Practices, Networking and Collaboration
2025-07-16 09:00 - 16:00 | Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, United States
Presented by ReImagine Appalachia

Organizations and experts will convene at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh to get technical assistance support from RISE PA for their grant applications.

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Grants Cafe: Grant Writing & Training Funding for Smaller PA Municipalities
2025-07-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Presented by Grant Professionals of Western PA

The “Municipal Grant Assistance Program Act” (House Bill No. 1560) has passed through several Committees in the PA House of Representatives and is pending passage (as of this posting). This legislation addresses a gap in expertise and resources for smaller municipalities to pursue economic development grants by offering funding assistance through the Department of Community and Economic Development to hire professional grant writers and trainers registered with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations. This session will provide up-to-date information about the content and status of this legislation, and a discussion of the possible impact. Federal grant issues and dilemmas may also be discussed as time allows.

Presenter: Katherine FH Heart, GPC, M.Ed., is a Grant Consultant/Writer and GPA Approved Trainer at Heart Resources, LLC. She has provided comprehensive grant services and training to nonprofits and municipalities in Western PA and nationally for 23 years.

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SCDN Policy Connection: Stormwater Management & Hazard Mitigation for Municipalities
2025-08-07 12:00 - 13:15
Join Sustainable Pittsburgh for a timely webinar on how Pennsylvania communities can strengthen stormwater systems and hazard response plans in the face of increasingly extreme weather.

Recent storms have overwhelmed parts of the state causing flash flooding, infrastructure damage, and public safety concerns. These recurring downpours are becoming more and more common in a changing climate. With annual precipitation up nearly 10% and extreme rain events on the rise, Pennsylvania faces growing risks from flooding, heat waves, windstorms, and freeze-thaw cycles.

This session will explore how local governments can integrate stormwater management and hazard mitigation into long-term community resilience planning. Experts will share best practices, funding opportunities, and tools. We’ll also highlight how these efforts support Sustainable PA certification and help to contribute to a stronger, more equitable future for all residents.

Featured Speakers

Richard Deal, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, PA Emergency Management Agency

Jason Singer, Councilman – Ward 4, Town of McCandless

Beth Uhler, Pennsylvania Director, Center for Watershed Protection

Who Should Attend

Local elected officials

Municipal staff

Sustainability professionals

Other stakeholders

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PGH Area Sustainability Circle - Coffee Chat
2025-08-13 08:00 - 10:00
Join area peers for a casual morning of meaningful networking with professionals and advocates who share a commitment to sustainability.

Whether you are an experienced sustainability leader or just beginning your journey, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect, share ideas, and collaborate on initiatives that drive positive impact.

Come prepared to meet friends new and old, learn from each other, and enjoy some refreshments in a welcoming environment. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable future.

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State of a Just Pittsburgh Public Workshop
2025-08-19 17:00 - 19:00
A public workshop on the “State of a Just Pittsburgh”- our city’s current conditions, our strengths and things we celebrate, our most urgent challenges and risks, and perhaps most importantly, the forces driving change in Pittsburgh over the next 5, 10, 25 years.

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Helping Municipalities Unpack HR1 and Continue Investing in Resilient Solutions
2025-08-26 10:00 - 11:30
This webinar will kick off a series of educational events on the range of impacts of HR1, which will equip municipalities with the information and resources they need to succeed.

The recent passage of H.R.1 – the “One Big Beautiful Bill” – by the U.S. Congress carries significant, cascading implications for a range of funding programs, grants and tax credits. It is critical that Municipal and County officials and staff know how this impacts their projects and plans.

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