Celebrating Earth Day 2011 in and Around Pittsburgh, PA

Earth Day 2011 is almost here. While April 22 is officially designated as Earth Day, there are many opportunities across the Pittsburgh region during the month of April to celebrate our planet and provide some TLC for our natural surroundings.

Educational and Family Events

Livingpittsburgh.com offers information on free walks and workshops at the Frick Environmental Center. These events will take place on Saturday, April 16 from 11:30am until 4 pm. The Frick Environmental Center is located at 2005 Beechwood Boulevard in Squirrel Hill. More information can be found at http://www.livingpittsburgh.com/2011/03/walks-workshops-on-earth-day-2011/ . The Frick website indicates they are also looking for volunteers to help at this event. h ttp://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/earth_day.htm .

On Saturday, April 23 the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History will present a workshop on how plants and animals survive in waste water. They will also discuss how people around the world have used celestial bodies such as the sun, moon and stars in planning how to build their communities. The cost for members to attend this event is $12 per child/adult pair. The cost for non-members is $17 per child/adult pair. The museums are located on Forbes Avenue in Oakland. Info on these museum events can be found at http://www.zvents.com/z/pittsburgh-pa/earth-day-workshops--events--164779905

Looking for a free, fun family event? Robin Hill Park in Moon Township will have a celebration with games, exhibits, giveaways and exhibits and more on Sunday, April 17 from 1pm - 3pm. The first 200 children will receive a free t-shirt. Robin Hill Park is located at 949 Thorn Run Road. http://www.moonparks.org/specialevents.html

Giant Eagle has information on it's website about how it's stores support the Earth everyday by offering organic foods, Fair Trade Certified products, cleaning products made from natural ingredients and reusable shopping bags. Giant Eagle stores also have receptacles in which customers can place used plastic shopping bags for recycling. Parents can download an activity sheet to take to the store with their children that helps them to identify Earth-friendly products throughout the store. More detailed information can be obtained through this website. http://www.gianteagle.com/cook/nutrition/April09/Earth-Day

Community Clean-Up Events

Several communities in the Pittsburgh area are holding community clean-up days throughout the month of April, including Scott Township, Heidelberg, Oakdale, Bethel Park, Brentwood, Crafton, Dravosburg, Morningside, Wilkinsburg, and Aspinwall. Check with your local municipal offices or search for your town on this list. http://www.zvents.com/z/search?search_query=community+day+event#&search_query=&utf8=%E2%9C%93&raw_filter=&search_query=community+day+event&start_date=&end_date=&page=1&type=&sort=relevance&sort_dir=1&rows=10& .

The Student Conservation Association and its partners will spend the morning of April 16 at Schenley Park tackling watershed-wide improvements such as planting trees, removing trash, and attending to storm drains. For more information, including how to register, please visit http://www.thesca.org/events/earth-day-pittsburgh .