Tag Archive: community
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Join us for I Am Sustainable Pittsburgh
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Challenge Yourself and Others to Take Small Actions for Big Collective Impact
Looking to make your community an even better place to live, work, and play, but not sure how? Be part of Sustainable Pittsburgh’s new bi-annual competition that sparks collective action for a more sustainable Pittsburgh region. Invite your residents (and friends and coworkers!) to participate in I Am Sustainable Pittsburgh, a free, 3-week competition that champions hometown pride and your personal commitments to being more sustainable!
I Am Sustainable Pittsburgh is based on the online EcoChallenge platform, and just as the EcoChallenge has engaged more than 200,000 people around the world, I Am Sustainable Pittsburgh enables all our region’s residents to take small steps that lead to big changes. As an added bonus, participants can earn prizes for making strides in their sustainable behaviors and for sustainable practices they have already mastered.
The Spring competition starts February 27th! Participating individuals can be part of teams at campuses, communities, or workplaces, or they can do it on their own. Learn more and register today at www.IAmSustainablePGH.org. Please share this opportunity with your town through social media, email, or newsletters. Contact Sustainable Pittsburgh for resources.
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Nicaraguan Coffee Tasting with Cooperative Aldea Global
Leave a CommentTaste the coffee and meet the leaders and farmers behind the internationally recognized Nicaraguan coffee cooperative, Aldea Global, during an interactive tasting and light reception.
Social impact investor Oikocredit is teaming up with Building New Hope, a Pittsburgh based non-profit who collaborates with Central Americans to build sustainable livelihoods, to introduce you to the delicious taste and compelling stories behind quality organic coffee and the communities that produce it.
Maria Mercedes Aleman will join us from the Jinotega region of Nicaragua to share the stories and experience of Aldea Global. Aldea is a recognized leader not only in producing delicious coffee but in building strong and thriving communities where women own land and hold positions of leadership, where farmers retain more of their profits, and where a diverse array of community programs contribute to a sustainable and productive future.
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Making the Connection: Manganese Exposure and Children’s IQ
Leave a CommentManganese is an essential additive in the steel making process, with as much as 90% of manganese consumption worldwide being used by the steel industry alone. Throughout this process stray manganese particles escape into the air. These particles are related to a variety of adverse health effects, and are especially harmful to the central nervous system. During this presentation, Drs. Erin Haynes and Vincent Schmithorst will discuss the links between manganese in air pollution to neurodevelopment and lowered IQ in children.
Dr. Haynes, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, will discuss her research on impacts of manganese in two Appalachian communities in Ohio. Dr. Schmithorst, of UPMC Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital, will discuss how advanced MRI imagining can be used to further understand the relation between neurotoxicity and neurodevelopmental outcome.
This event is part of GASP’s Making the Connection series, intended for medical professionals as well as community members interested in learning more about the links between air pollution and various health problems. It will begin with an hour of networking and refreshments from 5pm-6pm outside of the Hutchinson and Hayashi Auditorium, before moving into the auditorium for the main program. Walk in registration is welcomed.
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Downtown Foodies: Sustainable Tasting Tour (Cancelled)
Leave a Comment*We apologize for the short notice but due to circumstances beyond our control, this tour has been cancelled. Please stay tuned for future neighborhood tasting tours!
The Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant program is excited to host Downtown Foodies: Sustainable Tasting Tour as part of the 2018 Doors Open Pittsburgh Insider Tour!
Get an up-close insider experience with two Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants located Downtown as you explore their cuisines and learn how their commitments to sustainability improve their communities, reduce environmental impacts, and contribute to the economic prosperity of southwestern PA.
Participating restaurants include:
Corner Mercantile: A Silver designated Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant, the Corner Mercantile offers an extensive seasonal menu with all meals from scratch and pastries baked in-house daily. Enjoy house-made samples while learning how Corner Mercantile strives to reduce waste, is active in the community, and shows care for their employees.
or, The Whale: A seafood and chop house committed to sourcing from sustainable and humane, local farms, or, The Whale is harbored next to the Distrikt Hotel in the historic Salvation Army building. Enjoy a cocktail making demo upstairs in Evangeline accompanied by some house-made snacks from this Gold designated Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant.
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Flood Proofing Workshop for Homeowners
Comments Off on Flood Proofing Workshop for HomeownersCome learn about the recommended Flood-Proofing Method for your home. All homeowners are invited to attend – learn about flood-proofing techniques.
During the first hour, the USACE National Nonstructural Flood-Proofing Committee will discuss elevating structures, dry flood-proofing and filling the basement. Homeowners, during the second hour, will have an opportunity to learn about insurance options, federal grant programs, and possible low-interest mitigation loans.
Federal and State agency representatives will be on hand to discuss other floodplain management topics, such as the National Flood Insurance Program, Community Rating System, and flood forecasts and warnings.
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Flood Proofing Workshop for Community Officials and Homeowners
Comments Off on Flood Proofing Workshop for Community Officials and HomeownersCome learn about the recommended Flood Proofing Methods for your home. All community officials & homeowners are invited to attend – learn about flood proofing techniques!
The USACE National Nonstructural Flood Proofing Committee will discuss elevating structures, dry flood proofing and filling the basement. Homeowners, will will have an opportunity to learn about insurance options, federal grant programs, and possible low-interest mitigation loans.
Federal and State agency representatives will be on hand to discuss other floodplain management topics, such as the National Flood Insurance Program, Community Rating System, and flood forecasts and warnings.
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Webinar: Drones in Your Community
Leave a CommentThe usage of recreational drones has soared in popularity, and so have ensuing complications. Pilot requirements and flying regulations have changed, and as many drones are equipped with or have the capacity to equip camera devices, municipalities are left guessing what’s legal, where drones are permitted to fly, if usage can be restricted or controlled, and how to protect their residents.
Join Local Government Academy with Dave King of Steel City Drones for this free webinar as he covers the critical topics municipal leaders and law enforcement need to know:
- How do I know when a drone is being operated illegally?
- What is a responsible expected use of a drone in business?
- Can I check drone/drone operator registration anywhere?
- Where does FAA jurisdiction begin, and municipal jurisdiction begin?
- Can you fly a drone at night?
Bring your questions and concerns to this free webinar providing what you need to know about how, when, and why recreational drone use can potentially help, or harm, your neighborhoods.
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State College Borough Achieves Platinum in Sustainable Community Certification
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Kudos to State College Borough! They have earned Platinum Certification, currently the highest performance level in the Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification program. The Borough was previously recognized at the Gold level of certification for meeting the program’s rigorous performance criteria. State College Borough has had a longstanding commitment to sustainability in operations, management, and provision of public services through numerous innovative actions.
As a testament to their understanding of the importance of sustainability as a governance strategy, State College Borough created a formal Sustainability Committee, supported by the Borough Council and management, and it guides their municipal work. This committee laudably defines sustainability as “using best practices to create lasting environmental, economic, societal and fiscal vitality as part of State College’s overall mission to enhance the quality of life by fostering a safe, vibrant, diverse and sustainable community; by providing quality, innovative, cost-effective services; and by allocating resources efficiently with professionalism, integrity, transparency and accountability.”
Initiatives that are ongoing in State College (far too numerous to list in their entirety) include:
- Achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Standard for the Municipal Building in 2015.
- Participating in the first cohort of the National League of Cities’ Race, Equity, and Leadership (REAL) program, a program designed to ensure every local official is equipped to effectively lead and serve an inclusive, thriving and healthy community.
- Maintaining a Human Relations Commission and an LGBTQ Advisory Committee.
- Constructing local rain gardens to minimize stormwater runoff.
- Outlining greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in an official resolution and working with partners to complete a community-wide greenhouse gas inventory.
- Establishing the first municipality-wide food waste collection and composting program on the East Coast.
- Creating the State College Community Land Trust in 1996 and assisting in the development of their new Greenbuild program, that includes selling reasonably priced “Zero Energy Ready Homes” to low/moderate income residents.
“The mayor and borough council members have been strong advocates for sustainability, and as a result, State College has a long history of focusing on sustainability,” Borough Manager Tom Fountaine said. “Being recognized as a Platinum Certified Community by the Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification program shows that we’ve made measurable strides towards our sustainability goals. We are honored to be recognized by our peers as a leading community in this field.”
The Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification is intended to bring recognition to municipalities that are implementing the policies and practices of sustainability to advance community and regional prosperity. Sustainable Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania Municipal League are proud to have State College represented in the top tier of sustainable communities.
View details about State College Borough’s certification performance.
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Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant at Farm to Table
Leave a CommentThe theme this year is Farm to Table Buy Local. We’re celebrating the connections that are made by supporting local farms, food producers, wineries, distilleries and breweries.
The conference provides consumers with two days of networking and educational opportunities. Seasonal cooking demonstrations, gardening, and information about the nutritional value of local food are presented by local experts.
Meet with other Locavores to discuss ideas about where their food comes from and where to find businesses and organizations who can provide them with healthy food and healthy lifestyle choices.
Kids 12 and under are Free!
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Building a Future Full of Hope and Promise
Leave a CommentJoin Clean Air Council to kick off our Southwest PA Neighbors for Clean Air Initiative!
Clean Air Council is launching its Southwest Pennsylvania Neighbors for Clean Air initiative on April 12 to raise awareness and recruit additional volunteers. This free event will feature Lois Marie Gibbs, the primary organizer in Love Canal, winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize and Heinz award in the Environment, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee.
Southwest Pennsylvania, particularly Allegheny County, continues to receive poor air quality grades. Residents are demanding that industry and government protect their health, environment, and quality of life.
The Southwest Pennsylvania Neighbors for Clean Air initiative will establish at least 100 groups of 10 neighbors in southwest Pennsylvania to educate 1,000 new volunteer leaders about air pollution sources and build their capacity to address air quality issues affecting their lives.
For more information, contact Dave Smith at 412-854-8494 or dsmith@cleanair.org.
Transportation – Clean Air Council is providing transportation from the following locations (specific pick-up times will be provided when they are available) please email dsmith@cleanair.org to reserve a space.
Bus one pick-up:
Community Library of Allegheny Valley – 1522 Broadview Blvd, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Possible pick up in Aspinwall/Fox ChapelBus two pick-up:
St Clare of Assisi – 460 Reed St, Clairton, PA 15025
Braddock Carnegie Library – 419 Library St, Braddock PA 15104Bus three pick-up:
Beaver Historic Train Station – 276 East End Ave, Beaver PA 15009
Possible pick-up in Aliquippa