What’s in Bloom – April 2013

Winter may be holding on with every last breath, but signs of spring are popping up all over Pittsburgh’s parks. It’s time for our monthly What’s in Bloom series showcasing the park’s seasonal gardens. Bursts of color are polka-dotting the landscape and our horticulturist, Angela Yuele, has captured every bountiful bloom.

Highland Park Entry Garden

Daffodils and Siberian Squill (Scilla siberica)

Glory of the Snow (Chionodoxa)

Hyacinth ‘Jan Bos’

Mellon Park Walled Garden

Daffodil ‘Tete-a-Tete’

Lenten rose (Heleborus orientalis)

Riverview Park

Daffodil species

Daffodil ‘Ice Follies’ at the Riverview Park Chapel Shelter

Magnolia blooming

Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center

Blue hyacinth and pink tulips

Schenley Plaza

Daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths

Daffodils

Mixed daffodils

Species tulip ‘Lady Jane’ and white daffodils

Various daffodils

We’re always looking for help with our gardening projects. Our seasonal weeding Tuesdays at Mellon Park Walled Garden kick-off on May 14 and Weeding Wednesdays at Highland Park Entry Garden begin May 1. For more information, visit our Horticultural Volunteer Activities page or email volunteer@pittsburghparks.org.

Learn more about The Daffodil Project and how you can help plant new bulbs throughout the regional parks.

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Mission Ground Truth:21 – Parks as Classrooms (part two)

Last week, we got a bird’s eye view of our Mission Ground Truth:21 program teacher training. Mission Ground Truth is an inquiry-based experiential science curriculum that gives middle school students the opportunity to investigate the health and value of forest and freshwater stream ecosystems. Combining classroom and field sessions, Mission Ground Truth gives students a glimpse into the everyday life of an ecologist.  Programs like these show the impact of learning both inside and outside of the classroom.

 

Students surveying the stream

Parks as Classrooms

For the Mission Ground Truth:21 program, teachers are responsible for leading 3 discovery activities that introduce students to the concepts they’ll be testing and analyzing on their field day. During these sessions, students use Google Earth to investigate the landscape they will be studying in the field to make predictions about its health, identify interacting organisms within woodland food webs, and practice making predictions about water quality based on different human impact scenarios.

Propel students sampling the stream

All of these activities lead up to the field session where students have the chance to be scientists for the day. The all-day field session is taught in Frick Park by Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy staff. Students spend 3 hours hiking through Frick Park’s woodland and 3 hours wading through the Nine Mile Run stream using hands-on scientific methodology and instrumentation to gather and analyze data about the health of these ecosystems. They’re learning that science doesn’t just take place in the lab, it’s happening all around us and it’s relevant to our everyday lives.

Bailey Warren is the Education Program Assistant at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy through a 10-month apprenticeship with Public Allies Pittsburgh AmeriCorps program.

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Mission Ground Truth:21 – Educational Partnerships (part one)

Despite the frigid temperatures, the wind chill, and a two-hour delay to boot, 10 teachers showed up to the Frick Environmental Center for our first ever Mission Ground Truth: 21 teacher training. Mission Ground Truth is an inquiry-based experiential science curriculum that gives middle school students the opportunity to investigate the health and value of forest and freshwater stream ecosystems. Combining classroom and field sessions, Mission Ground Truth gives students a glimpse into the everyday life of an ecologist.  After piloting the program in the spring with the 7^th grade science classes at Propel Montour, we have expanded our reach this school year to include Propel Homestead, Propel McKeesport, Winchester Thurston, The Ellis School, and the Environmental Charter School.

Educational Partnerships

Propel teachers learn how to use dichotomous keys to ID tree leaves.

Teacher trainings are an important part of developing a partnership between informal educators and classroom teachers. We have different styles, different objectives, and different experiences to bring to the table. The training was a chance for everyone to get to know each other, establish appropriate roles and expectations, and to introduce new teachers to the content of the program. We wanted to provide a space where they could ask questions, give feedback, and learn from Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy staff and teachers who have previously gone through the program.

Many of the teachers had limited experience teaching outdoors and wanted some tips to prepare their class and themselves. As an informal educator myself, two of the most integral aspects of a successful program are ensuring that students are dressed appropriately for the weather (nothing is more distracting than discomfort) and having an enthusiastic and involved teacher on board. Really, it all comes back to communicating expectations to others. We had a great conversation about how helpful it is for the teacher to model the good behavior we expect from our students. As much as the training is for the teachers to become comfortable and acquainted with the program, it was also a space for us to get feedback on the curriculum content. From these discussions, we developed an Environmental Education tip sheet to share with all of our program partner teachers.

Calculating the area of Frick Park using Google Earth

At the end of every discovery activity simulation, we always came back to the overarching goal:  We want the kids to have hands-on experience outdoors doing what scientists do. They’re getting the chance to see what it means to be an ecologist. That means doing research and making predictions, then going out into the field to test those predictions and analyze their data. Both elements are essential. Once they understand that, then they can work through the details that make it all happen.

Be sure to check out part two of our blog next week to learn more about Mission Ground Truth:21 and how we use parks as classrooms.

Bailey Warren is the Education Program Assistant at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy through a 10-month apprenticeship with Public Allies Pittsburgh AmeriCorps program.

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Urban EcoSteward Crew Leader Training with our new Greenprint Park Steward

Urban EcoSteward Crew Leader Training

Unlike most trips I make to REI Southside, I wasn’t here this morning to get a new piece of gear, although I’ll admit I did look. I was here for the Urban EcoSteward Crew Leader Training. This wasn’t my first time learning to lead crews. In fact, my crew leading experience began right here in Pittsburgh three years ago when I attended the 2010 Urban EcoSteward Crew Leader Training and became a crew leader that summer. I enjoyed working with volunteer crews so much that I soon journeyed to Southern California to lead volunteers in trail maintenance on the Pacific Crest Trail. It wasn’t long before I was off on my next adventure leading crews of college students throughout the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Wyoming.

Now, I’m happy to be back in the City of Pittsburgh where it all started, working as the new Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Greenprint Park Steward. The Greenprint is a comprehensive plan that aims to build on the natural landscapes throughout the Hill District. These greening projects will add value to the neighborhood by raising property values, providing community gathering spaces, and improving air quality.

Cliffside Park

Even with my extensive crew leading background, I gained a lot from the Urban EcoSteward Crew Leader Training session. It’s important to review all of the responsibilities and techniques that go into being a crew leader to keep both you and your volunteer’s safe throughout the project. Parks Conservancy education program coordinator, Taiji Nelson, covered how to properly use, carry, and store tools. Joe Divack, Allegheny CleanWays DumpBuster Coordinator, explained how to lead crews through garbage clean-ups and how to handle worksites on steep slopes. Allegheny CleanWays project coordinator Leah Thill wrapped up the day by running us through some real life volunteer day scenarios. This gave us the chance to practice our public speaking and to test some of the skills we had learned throughout the day.

Taiji and Joe showing our current and future crew leaders proper ways to handle tools and worksites.

All of these skills will be helpful in providing a safe, productive, and fun experience for our Hill District greening projects. We are looking for more leaders to help us implement the projects outlined in the Greenprint for the Hill! If you are interested in becoming a leader, or being involved as a volunteer in the Hill District, please contact Jake Baechle at jbaechle@pittsburghparks.org. You can also stay tuned to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy website for future trainings and volunteer days.

The Urban EcoSteward program is a collaboration between  Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Mount Washington Community Development Corporation, Frick Environmental Center, Allegheny Cleanways, Allegheny Land Trust, and Nine Mile Run Watershed. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit our Urban EcoSteward webpage.

 

 

Jake Baechle is the new Greenprint Park Steward for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. In his role, Jake will lead volunteer coordination and community outreach in the Hill District focusing on Cliffside Park and other Greenprint priorities.

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Life goes wherever water flows – Keeping our watersheds healthy

Watersheds play an important part in maintaining healthy biodiversity in our local environment. Watersheds can carry sewage, pesticides and other harmful elements that can damage our ecosystem. What many people may not realize is that we all live in a watershed. Nine Mile Run and Panther Hollow are two examples of area watersheds the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy are working to restore in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh and other area non-profits.

Through the Carnegie Science Center’s “Take a Hike!” program sponsored by The Sprout Fund, our own director of education, Marijke Hecht, shows us what we can do in our own backyard to help keep area watersheds clean and thriving.

For more information on the Nine Mile Run Watershed or Panther Hollow Watershed, visit our website www.pittsburghparks.org. To learn how you can get your own rain barrel to help divert extra water from the sewer systems, visit the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association website at www.ninemilerun.org.

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Urban EcoStewards Celebrate a New Year – A Winter Gathering

You know what’s better than a Winter Gathering to kick-off the 2013 Urban EcoSteward training year? A snow-covered Winter Gathering complete with a one-mile hike in Schenley Park! Around 35 dedicated park stewards signed up for the event on Saturday, January 26. The Urban EcoStewards represented a variety of organizations including the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Mount Washington Community Development Corporation, Frick Environmental Center, Allegheny Cleanways, Allegheny Land Trust, and Nine Mile Run Watershed.

Wintry Schenley Park

Tufa Bridge in Schenley Park

The day started with lunch at the Schenley Park Café and Visitor Center which was restored by the Parks Conservancy in 2002. Rumor has it, Patty’s Smoked Mac and Cheese was the big hit of the day! After a brief overview of the participating organizations, the day continued with a celebration of 2012 successes and what the EcoStewards have to look forward to in 2013.

Urban EcoSteward celebration at the Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center

The group then bundled up and strapped on their snow boots for a one-mile hike around the Lower and Upper Panther Hollow Trails.

Headed down for a snowy hike through Schenley Park

Looking up at Panther Hollow Bridge from the Hollow

Led by Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Education Program Coordinator, Taiji Nelson, the group discussed winter tree identification, soil erosion, and emerald ash borer along the way.

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Education Program Coordinator, Taiji Nelson, explaining soil erosion to the EcoStewards

Lesson in destructive tree identification

The day ended with an overview of Phipps Run and Panther Hollow Watershed’s and restoration efforts being implemented in the area.

Hiking along Upper Panther Hollow Trail

Urban EcoStewards give back to their communities by adopting a specific section of park land that they agree to maintain. Stewards receive training from Parks Conservancy staff and other program partners and visit their site throughout the year to remove invasive species, plant native flora, slow erosion, and clean up trash. EcoStewards report to a coordinator, who will accompany them on at least one site visit per year to determine maintenance needs.

If you’re ready to take on your own little piece of the park, sign-up for our next training date on our Urban EcoSteward webpage. For more information, please contact our education department at 412-682-7275 ext. 232 or volunteer@pittsburghparks.org.

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Thank you to our 2012 volunteers!

Volunteers from NRG planting balled and burlap trees in Allegheny Commons

My ability to wake up almost exactly a minute before I set my cell phone alarm to sound is uncanny. I use the 60 seconds I could have spent sleeping to make the decision: do I start my morning routine or do I preemptively silence the alarm and roll over? The fact that the digital clock on the face of my phone reads 6 a.m. and I hear rain falling outside my window weighs heavily to one side of the argument, but I inevitably force my feet to brave the cold floor so I can put on my already muddy work pants, rain jacket, and formerly waterproof boots.

Rivers Casino volunteers with two truckloads of invasive garlic mustard

As the volunteer coordinator for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, I’ve waged this internal battle every weekend during the spring and fall volunteer seasons for the past two years. Ultimately, my love of the outdoors and passionate belief in the work we do always wins out. I can’t think of a better place to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning than in the park and revel in the instant gratification of seeing a finished project at the end of the day when you’re sore, tired, and covered in mud. I’m still dumbstruck when I remember that I actually get paid to do this.

High School Urban EcoSteward from City High watering a recently planted tulip poplar

What’s most amazing to me though is that hundreds of people face the same decision the morning of volunteer days – do I wake up or roll over – and choose to volunteer for nothing but pizza and healthy dose of good karma. They’re students with a full course load and late Friday nights, professionals who work a full 40 hour week, or retirees who earned their right to sleep in on the weekend.  Individuals, families, coworkers, student organizations, and religious groups all turn out to plant trees, remove invasive plants, tend the gardens, or clean up dump sites in all weather and seasons. Without their dedication and the generous support of funders, donors, crew leaders, and partners, we couldn’t do what we do and our parks wouldn’t be the same amazing spaces to connect with nature, observe beauty, and find wonder.

Here’s what our volunteers accomplished in 2012:

• 1023 volunteers at our work days gave 3432.5 hours of service totaling a contribution of $74,794.18.
• Volunteers planted and protected over 1000 trees and shrubs at our work days, improving biodiversity and the ecological health of our parks.
• 52 active Urban EcoStewards gave 897.5 hours of service totaling a contribution of $19,556.53 for UES partner organizations (The Parks Conservancy, Mount Washington CDC, Frick Environmental Center, Allegheny Cleanways, Allegheny Land Trust, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association).
• 210 people were trained through the Urban EcoSteward program on things such as tree and shrub ID, planting techniques, erosion control, invasive plant removal, native seed collection and others, to arm them with the skills to advocate and care for our parks.
• High School Urban EcoStewards from City Charter High School, Sci Tech, University Prep, Perry, Westinghouse and the Ellis School had a total of 535 individual visits where students made observation and reflections through nature journaling, learned about the ecosystems and ecology of our parks, and performed stewardship (which included planting and protecting 186 trees and shrubs).

Volunteers after planting 99 trees along Tranquil Trail in Frick Park

A huge ‘thank you’ to all of the volunteers who turned out this year – it was great meeting you and I hope to work with you all again in 2013.  See you out there!

Taiji Nelson is the Education Program Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Ready to be volunteer number 1024? Be sure to check our Volunteer Work Days page for upcoming spring 2013 days and events or email our education department at volunteer@pittsburghparks.org.

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What’s in Bloom – September 2012

Fall is coaxing its way in and football weather is upon us. The annual closet exchange from breezy summer clothes to cozy winter attire is underway and leaf-peepers have their cameras on deck anticipating the gold and crimson hues of a Pittsburgh autumn. Don’t worry, there will be an abundance of beautiful fall photos throughout the season, but in the meantime, enjoy some final splashes of pinks, purples and greens in our September What’s in Bloom.

Highland Park Entry Garden

Anemone (anemone x hybrida) ‘Honorine Jobert’

Aster & Helianthus

Aster & Summer Annuals

Flower Sage (salvia nemerosa) reblooming

New England Aster (aster nova-angliae)

Rubbeckia ’Herbstsonne’

Riverview Visitor Center

New Guinea Impatiens & Canna Lily

Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center

Pink Begonia

Pink Begonia layered in front of more Pink Begonia ‘Dragon Wings’ & Euphorbia ‘Diamond Forst’ planted in the pots.

More layers of Pink Begonia & Euphorbia

Mellon Park Walled Garden

Anemone (anemone x hybrida) ‘Honorine Jobert’

Begonia, Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’ & Angelonia

Keep up with the ever-changing color palette of Pittsburgh parks by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. If social media’s not your cup of tea, be sure to sign up for our e-news to stay up-to-date on all the exciting things happening at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. We have some new ideas and projects swirling around and you won’t want to miss out!

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Healthy Trail, Healthy Heart – Getting Fit in Pittsburgh’s Parks

Every time I lace up my sneakers and hit the trails for a marathon run through Pittsburgh’s emerald parks (okay, by marathon I actually mean about 3.5 miles…on a good day) I’m quickly brought back to April 2010. This was the month that not only catapulted me into the reality of mortality, but also altered my overall worldview of living a healthy, meaningful life. I sat in a hospital waiting room trying to unsuccessfully distract my mom as we waited for the surgeon to deliver the news of how my dad’s open heart surgery had gone. A day earlier he had gone in for a routine angioplasty, or at least I’m told they’re routine, and the next thing we knew they were loading him into an ambulance for emergency quadruple coronary bypass surgery at another hospital. The man I once thought to be invincible became more human than ever. That wasn’t a stranger on that stretcher. It was my dad. The day of the surgery was one of those odd days where time stood still while racing by all at the same time. We saw doctor’s come in and out speaking with other families in the waiting room and even overheard one doctor tell a family their loved had just had a successful quintuple bypass surgery. We didn’t even know that was possible! We held our breath as the heart surgeon walked toward us removing his surgical mask. My dad, being the stubborn old man that he is, really made the surgeons work for their dinner that day by ending up with sextuple coronary bypass surgery. He always did have to one-up everyone else. It turns out he had suffered multiple minor heart attacks throughout the year and didn’t know it, but the surgery was successful.

Three months after his surgery, I moved to Pittsburgh. I used this new beginning as a wake-up call. Between my dad’s surgery and my own heart murmur diagnosis in junior high, it was time to stop the legacy of unhealthy heart disease that ran rampant in my family. Instead of spending my free time watching reruns of Twin Peaks on Netflix, I hit the trails. I was definitely nervous as I started my way down Braddock Trail in Frick Park for the first time, but knowing my strong aversion to gyms and having learned the hard way that treadmills take at least some coordination, I knew I had to do something to keep my heart healthy.

Healthy weight management is the obvious benefit to any physical activity. The American Heart Association (AHA) states that 60-70% of Americans are obese, leading to a higher risk of heart disease and other medical issues. According to the AHA, chronic stress may also contribute to heart disease as it can weaken artery walls and increase blood pressure.  With heart disease consistently ranking as the number one killer in this county, it’s pertinent that people get out and start moving. Recently, there has been an onset of studies showing the benefits of exercising outdoors versus exercising indoors. A 2011 study performed at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom showed that participants who exercise outside experienced a greater positive influence in overall mood and reduction of stress. The participants were also more likely to repeat the activity and form a regular exercise routine. Additionally, exercising outdoors increases your intake of Vitamin D (everything in moderation of course so wear your sunscreen!), which assists in bone growth and calcium absorption.

A key take-away for me is the effectiveness of habit formation when exercising outside. Consistency is not my strong point so I had to make sure to pick an exercise that was engaging and kept me coming back. Seriously, what can be more engaging than feeding your senses through the 561 acres of winding trails in Frick Park? The trails not only boast a variety of wildlife and a majestic canopy of trees, but the changes in elevation also allow you to cater your workout to your skill level or just what you’re in the mood for that day. Since I’m not exactly the strongest runner, yet, I’ve created a confidence-boosting run for myself on days that I need a quick shot of self-assurance. It’s about a two-mile downhill run starting in Blue Slide Playground, meandering down Riverview Trail, along to Falls Ravine and making a leftie onto Tranquil Trail until it splits with Biddle. Be careful on this path if you have bad knees, but if you need to remind yourself that you can break through the runner’s wall, this is the way to do it. There are even drinking fountains along the way to keep hydrated and open bathrooms for when you’re a little too hydrated. It gets my heart to a comfortable cardiovascular workout rate, while still allowing me to control my breath and break a sweat. This route is what convinces me to continue on my quest for a heart healthy lifestyle and I always make sure to throw it into my weekly routine.

Whether you’re biking, walking, running or just playing in the parks, it’s a great way to begin and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Habits will form and you’ll soon begin craving your park the way I crave the dirt trails of Frick. When my dad comes to visit, we always make sure to take a walk on the trails through Frick Park. It not only gets the blood flowing and our legs moving, but breathing in the fresh air and feeling my heart steadily pump to the rhythm of our stride reminds me how precious life is and how happy I am that I’m still sharing it with my dad.

Holly Stayton is the eCommerce Development Officer for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

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What’s in Bloom – August 2012

When did it get to be August already? Summer may be flying by and have you itching for fall colors, but there are still plenty of summer flowers blossoming. Check out what’s in bloom in Pittsburgh’s parks this August!

Riverview Chapel Shelter

Summer Annuals (dusty miller, vinca, blue salvia, red celosia, pennisetum grass)

Summer Annuals (profusion zinnia mix, marigold mix, celosia, blue salvia, pink begonia)

Highland Park Entry Garden

Aster (aster nova-angliae)

Black-Eyed Susan (rudbeckia fulgida ’Goldsturm’)

Canna Lily (canna species)

Hardy Sunflower (helianthus x multiflorus ‘Meteor’)

Hardy Sunflower (Helianthus species)

Schenley Plaza

Summer Annuals (banana tree, mixed celosia)

Summer Annuals (caladium ‘Arron’ and ‘Carolyn Warton’)

Summer Annuals (dragon wing begonia, golden coleus)

Summer Annuals (pink begonia, vanilla marigold)

Summer Annuals (pink geranium, white alyssum)

Summer Annuals (red salvia, marigold, blue lobelia)

Summer Annuals (sweet potato vine, zinnia, croton)

Mellon Park Walled Garden

Daylily (hemorocallis ‘Happy Returns’)

Salvia (salvia nemerosa ’Eastfriesland’)

Liriope (liriope muscari)

If you’re like us and can’t imagine Pittsburgh’s breathtaking park gardens without these vibrant bursts of plants and flowers, consider giving a gift to support park restoration. If you’d rather just get down and dig in the dirt yourself, we’re always looking for volunteers!

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