Best Ways To Celebrate World Environment Day In Pittsburgh
June 5 marks the 40th anniversary of the United Nation's World Environment Day, and this year's theme questions whether you're part of the green economy. This year, D.C.'s hosting the big celebration, but if you can't make it to the city for the hoopla, Pittsburgh offers plenty of green party options. Many of the programs and organizations that took center stage on World Environment Day here two years ago will once again celebrate the goals of cleaner air, cleaner water and a cleaner planet. As a proud member of this former host city, celebrate the day with these fun, green options.
Three Rivers Arts Festival
Point State Park
101 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
www.3riversartsfest.org
Price: free
The annual 10-day 3 Rivers Arts Festival begins June 3 and continues through June 12 this year. The festival has become such an immensely popular attraction in its more than 50 year history that the 2012 edition will stretch from Point State Park to Gateway Center and throughout all of the cities Culturual District. With live music, food vendors, art galleries and exhibits that stretch as far as the eye can see, the festival is simply something you will not want to miss. On Tuesday June 5, there will be an increased emphasis on environmental issues in conjunction with World Environment Day and its green economy theme. Take it a step farther and volunteer at the festival as well.
Bike Pittsburgh's Team Decaf Group Ride
1125 N. Highland Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 559-4001
www.direct-axis.net/
Hours: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Price: free
Every Tuesday from April to September, Bike Pittsburgh and Team Decaf hold a weekly group bike ride. Starting at the Tazza D'oro Café in Highland Park, the moderately paced ride offers participants the opportunity to experience more than 20 miles of the city's streets without the burden of filling the gas tank afterward. There's no better way to get in shape and celebrate the region's natural and urban environments than by joining up for the Team Decaf group bike ride, especially on World Environment Day. For a full list of all bike related events offered by Bike Pittsburgh click here.
Venture Outdoors "Pond"-er Wander Tyke Hike
Pearce Mill Rd.
Allison Park, PA 15101
(412) 255-0564
www.ventureoutdoors.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Price: $3 pre-registration/$4 walk-ups
The Pond-er Wander Tyke Hike will take to the trails of North Park on World Environment Day. Bring the little ones for a morning hike that offers instruction on the area's local plant and animal life. Beginning at the North Park Boat House at 10 a.m., it offers the perfect way to get children and adults alike aware of the natural environment that thrives just outside of the city limits. To inquire about pre-registration details click here.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4400 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 622-3131
www.carnegiemnh.org
Price: $17.95 general admission/$11.95 children
The Carnegie museums are among the most highly regarded, not only in the state of Pennsylvania, but around the country. The Museum of Natural History on Forbes Avenue in Oakland offers all of its visitors the chance to learn about the wonders of the natural world every day. Its exhibits, summer camps and special displays offer a comprehensive look at the history of the planet. The dinosaur exhibits alone are worth the price of admission, but they're only a tiny sample of the multitude of fascinating events and displays the museum offers. One particularly insightful and World Environment Day-appropriate exhibit, Population Impact, is a compelling case study that incorporates satellite imagery, natural specimen and awe-inspiring information about how humans have changed the global environment at a population of nearly 10 billion people.
Related: Best Indoor Activities for Kids Near Pittsburgh
Marcel Tourdot is a freelance writer from Pittsburgh. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
