The Green Voice Voyager

Top 10 Eco Adventures this July

by Emma Honcharski

July 10, 2023

Summer is in full swing, and the list of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Pittsburgh is expansive. It may be too late to plan a full vacation, but we’ve got plenty of easy adventures to keep you active and excited this July.

1. It’s worth a drive outside the city to reach the serenity of a dark night sky. Spend a magical firefly-filled summer evening at the St. Xavier Nature Preserve in Latrobe, PA, organized by the Westmoreland Land Trust on July 8. Festivities begin at 7:15 p.m., including art activities, games, and firefly information, and then, lights out at 9 p.m. for fireflies!
2. The rivers are one of the city’s greatest assets, especially in the warmer months. On July 9, join the Steel City Rollers for a River Ride along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail into Homestead, starting in the South Side. Free bike rentals are available through POGOH. Then, get even closer to the river with a River History Paddle in the evening on July 12. Trip leaders from Venture Outdoors will share facts and stories about Pittsburgh’s land and waterways while you paddle down the Allegheny River. Get tickets here.
3. If you’d rather stay on land, join the Pittsburgh Park Rangers for a guided nature hike, learning about plants and animals in Riverview Park on July 15.
4. Or, spend the day at the Audobon Society of South Western PA’s Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, learning about Native American relationships with plants that are native to our area. This event is a part of the Highland Park Garden Club’s monthly presentations about gardening and urban farming.
5. Stay in right relationship with the planet by learning how to compost. This workshop presented by the Pennsylvania Resource Council will teach you everything you need to know about backyard composting, from start to finish. Register for the event at Phipps Garden Center on July 20 here, with the option to buy a compost bin included in your ticket price.
6. Whether you’re a gardener or an avid vegetable-lover, it’s time to get inspired at the Swissvale Edible Garden tour on July 22. Grab a map at the Swissvale Farmers Market and head to any of the stops, in any order, and end the day at a community picnic in the same location. 
7. We know summer can’t be all fun and games – what about a little professional networking with likeminded folks interested in sustainability? Hear a lightning talk from Farm To Flame Energy founder, Kwaku “KJ” Jyamfi, at this Network and Grow event for those interested in Clean Tech and Sustainability. Connect with others and have the opportunity to cowork at Ascender on July 25.
8. This one’s for the birders… sort of. The Audobon Society of Western PA welcomes you to explore the world of dragonflies, or “flying jewels”, through binoculars at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve on July 29. Learn about common species in our area and their habitats, then head down to the pond to see them in action.
9. Don’t forget about Cinema In The Park, sponsored by Dollar Bank if you want to enjoy a night in the park, laying on a blanket with snacks, friends, and family. There are movies for all ages in the parks throughout the summer, across the city.
10. This wouldn’t be a list of things to do in July without a mention of Picklesburgh, the Destination for All Things Pickled on July 21-23, this year in a new downtown location. Check out food vendors, a pickle juice drinking contest, and pickled-themed crafting for the “li’l gherkins” in your life. Want to keep the fermentation juices bubbling and flowing? Explore how to harvest the flavor of berries through fermentation on July 24 with Community Cultures Fermentation Education at the East End Food Co-Op. You don’t have to be a member to get a ticket to the Fermentation Series: Pickles N’ Pop here.

Emma Honcharski is a regular columnist with The Green Voice Weekly Newsletter