VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING LINEUP FOR EARTH DAY
PITTSBURGH – April 20, 2021 – The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has announced a full schedule of virtual Earth Day events. The free programming will be broadcast on the non-profit’s social media channels and Zoom. The digital events will take place between Earth Day, April 22, and the end of April.
This year’s virtual lineup includes:
• Nature in Your Neighborhood: Hike with a Naturalist What: Join naturalist, Nyjah Cephas, on Facebook Live, for a "nature in your neighborhood" exploration and learn about the nature that might be right outside your door! When: Thursday, April 22, 2021 @ 10:00 A.M. Where: Facebook Live (@pittsburghparks)
• Nature in Your Neighborhood: Colors of Spring What: Colors of all kinds pop up in nature this time of year, from the blue sky to colorful flowers. Welcome spring with a neighborhood hike on Facebook Live to appreciate the many colors of the season. When: Thursday, April 22, 2021 @ 5:00 P.M. Where: Facebook Live (@pittsburghparks)
• More than Morels: Spring Mushroom Webinar What: Naturalist Educator Stephen Bucklin will help participants learn about some of the different species of fungi you might find on your next hike in a Pittsburgh park. When: Wednesday, April 28, 2021 @ 6:00 P.M. Where: Zoom! Click here to register.
• Virtual Hike with a Naturalist: City Nature Challenge What: On this virtual hike with Naturalist Educator Stephen Bucklin, participants will learn how to use the iNaturalist app to help identify the plants, animals, fungi, and other cool things in Pittsburgh’s parks. When: Friday, April 30, 2021 @ 12:00 P.M. Where: Facebook Live (@pittsburghparks)
Park lovers looking to get outdoors by themselves can also download the Agents of Discovery app’s ‘Hike-U’ mission to create hike-inspired poems. Starting at the Frick Environmental Center fountain, the app will guide users on a hike and harness their sensory experiences to create haikus.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parks Conservancy for the first time replaced all of its in-person Earth Day programming with virtual programming. According to Caitlin Steve, Naturalist Educator, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and member of Public Ally AmeriCorps, continuing the virtual events in 2021 was a natural choice to maximize access to nature education.
“Last year’s digital Earth Day events were extremely well received,” said Steve. “We are continuing our free virtual programming this year to make sure every Pittsburgher has an opportunity to celebrate and learn about our local nature, including those who prefer to engage online or at home.”
Throughout April, the Parks Conservancy has been holding in-person Earth Day programming, encouraging Pittsburghers to get outdoors and do their part to leave the environment better than they found it, with environmental stewardship events taking place throughout the City. In-person events will continue on Earth Day, including several activities in Schenley Plaza: a family-friendly kite-making class and a bird scavenger hunt, as well as an introductory yoga class. More details and registration information for all Earth Day events are available at pittsburghparks.org/earth-day. Follow @pittsburghparks on Facebook and Instagram for live streaming
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Alana Wenk
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
412.527.0020
awenk@pittsburghparks.org
About Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy:
Now celebrating its 25th year, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in December 1996 by a group of citizens concerned with the deteriorating conditions of Pittsburgh’s historic city parks. A non-profit organization, the Parks Conservancy works closely with the City of Pittsburgh under an official public-private partnership agreement to restore and improve the city’s park system to its full potential. To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised more than $130 million and completed 22 major park improvement projects. The Parks Conservancy works with thousands of volunteers, hosts hundreds of events, and provides programming for more than 7,500 children annually.