Frick Environmental Center
Kids at Frick Environmental Center. Photo by Mark Simpson.

Frick Environmental Center & Frick Park
April 21 & 22
Various times

There are countless ways to take care of our planet all year long. One terrific way for the entire family to honor international Earth Day—and get involved locally—is at Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s free community celebration.

Kick off Earth Day at Friday’s Community Campfire from 6 to 9 p.m. Head to Falls Ravine Shelter to spend a spring evening under the stars in our own backyard. Pittsburgh Parks will provide the fire and sticks, and you get to bring the hot dogs and s’more fixings.

Ready to go green? On Saturday morning, families can volunteer with eco-stewardship projects, see the recently opened Frick Environmental Center, and hear remarks from PA Governor Tom Wolf and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. Afterward, set off on urban adventure hikes led by local naturalists throughout Frick Park.

Stretch and breathe during Tai Chi exercises, test your mettle during tree climbing demos, and participate in solar-powered activities. Meet animals from Chicks in the Hood, Allegheny GoatScape and Apoidea Apiary, learn about composting and enjoy performances by Level Up Studios.

From 4:30 to 7 p.m., the Family Solar Concert will feature live music by Matthew Tembo, Colter Harper, Jeff Berman, and The Red Western. Food vendors will include Randita’s, Driftwood Oven and Stickler’s Ice Pop Co.

For more Earth Day fun, see 11 Pittsburgh events not to miss in April and Top 10 family events in Pittsburgh this April.

Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and Dahesh Museum of Art and is co-author of Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania. She also is co-coordinator of Handmade Arcade. Musically, she is in a band called The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.