Events

Join us for a spring flower hike at Raccoon Creek State Park Wildflower Reserve, led by Cindie Wilson.

 The 314-acre tract, originally purchased in 1962 by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, contains one of the most biodiverse and unique stands of wildflowers in Pennsylvania. More than 700 species of plants can be found along the 4.5 miles of trails.

Please register below to attend this walk. 

As you embark on this spring flower hike, bring comfortable walking shoes, and be prepared for mud. 

There are public restrooms at the Interpretive Center located at the trailhead. 

Address: 

525 Lincoln Hwy, 482 US-30
Clinton, PA 15026

GPS coordinates: Wildflower Reserve 40.50723, -80.36411

Join us for this great event where we are bringing together local land care professionals, organizations, and community members who are passionate about creating healthier landscapes with engaged communities.

This year’s event expands on last year’s popular “Ask a Landscaper” gathering. We’ll have 6 ecologically knowledgeable professionals on site to answer your questions about native plants, pollinator habitats, sustainable landscaping practices, and how to transform your space into a thriving ecosystem. 

Local organizations including Lawrenceville Corporation/Lawrenceville United, Bloomfield Garfield Corporation, the Audubon Society and other community partners will be present to share resources and ways for you to get involved in your local communities to help improve the health and wellbeing of your local ecosystem. 

These organizations have worked to plant trees, grow food, and advocate for vibrant green spaces alongside their other support system offerings in their respective neighborhoods. 

This year’s list of ecological landscapers:

May Apple - Meg Graham

GaiaScape - Chris Kosin

Earth Offerings - Lexi Williams

Root Cellar Natives - Cindie Wilson

Garfield Farm/Wild Indigo Guild - John Creasy

Three Sister Permaculture - Tamara OBrien

Bring photos, site measurements, sketches, or questions about your space. Our experts will help you think through plant selections, layout ideas, and practical ways to get started or improve your existing garden.

Come connect with fellow plant lovers, learn from local experts, and celebrate Arbor Day with a community dedicated to healthier ecosystems.

-Native Landscaping guidance

-Local Community and advocacy organizations

-Off The Press Burgers Food Truck

-Trace Brewery will be open for coffee, beer and drink menu

-Great conversations and community

Whether you're just starting your native plant journey or looking to expand your garden, this is a wonderful opportunity to gather ideas and inspiration.

Join our host Melinda Guinn as she tours us around Salamander Park.

Salamander Park is a 17-acre natural area in Fox Chapel Borough featuring a stream (Sycamore Run), mature forest, and a rare vernal pool that supports Spotted Salamanders and Wood Frogs.

In 2023, volunteers — including AP Environmental Science students — began removing invasive privet and other woody species to prepare the site for second graders to plant native trees during annual field trips. This collaboration between local schools, Audubon Society of Western PA, and Fox Chapel Borough earned the 2024 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

Since then, more than 1,000 students have participated in stewardship projects across the borough’s 500-acre park system. Scout-led surveys identified Hemlock Woolly Adelgid infestations, launching a treatment program. Large areas have been restored, making room for 5,000 native trees and shrubs representing more than 40 species.

An innovative partnership between volunteers and borough staff has also created a cost-effective invasive management system: volunteers identify and cut invasives, creating habitat brush piles, while licensed staff follow up with targeted stump treatments. This efficient approach has successfully restored large sections of the park while maximizing professional resources.

Join us for a guided spring hike at McConnells Mill State Park led by Tamara OBrien. This moderate-level hike includes some steep sections and plenty of steps, so come prepared!

Along the way, we’ll explore emerging spring plant life and diverse habitats while enjoying the stunning scenery of Slippery Rock Creek. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, learn about native plants, and take in one of the region’s most beautiful landscapes.

Explore this exciting transformation of two acres of former farmland into a thriving native plant landscape. 

Since purchasing the property in fall 2022, Cindie has been steadily converting open ground into a series of thoughtfully designed garden spaces that highlight the beauty and ecological value of native species. 

The site is also home to a growing native plant nursery, offering you a unique behind-the-scenes look.

This tour is a wonderful opportunity to see a young garden in active evolution, learn about the process of starting from scratch, and gather inspiration for your own native planting projects.

Please register and let us know how many people will be attending this garden tour.

We'll send an email with the address a few days before the actual event.

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon! 

Details coming soon!