Posts tagged Schuylkill RIver
Get on Your Bike and Do Some Good!
Sep 13th
We’ve made it through the sweltering heat of summer (finally!) and now we’ve hit beautiful, warm-but-perfectly-cooler weather. I know us staffers here at GreenTreks are certainly welcoming it. Bike-commuting is much more enjoyable when you don’t arrive as a puddle of sweat!
Coming up at the end of September, are a number of opportunities to enjoy a bicycle ride and do some good at the same time. First up on Saturday, September 22, 2012, is the Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour: Rails and River Towns Ride. Bike along the Schuylkill River Trail, learn about the history of the Pennsylvania Railroad during a presentation by Bob Thomas, and, best of all, support the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. This is the first ride of this new bike tour series, and it sounds excellent for all levels of riders (choose from a 18-mile ride & walking tour, a 20-mile ride, or a 9-mile ride and guided tour). Learn more about the bike tour and register here.
The next day, on Sunday, September 23, 2012, the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) is hosting Bike Fresh, Bike Local in Downingtown, PA. Proceeds from this ride benefit PASA’s work for sustainable, family farms in Eastern Pennsylvania. Whether you choose the 25-, 50-, or 75-mile ride, you’ll get to enjoy a lunch of local foods and enjoy a Victory Brewing Company craft beer. Plus, I’ll be volunteering at the break station for the 75-mile riders, so stop by and say hi! Learn more and register here.
Active Philly: Multi-Sport Connects Fitness, Health, and Environment in our Urban Oasis
Jun 24th
It’s that time of year again, when all hometown eyes are focused on the nation’s largest urban park system and the waterway that wends through the city: the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon takes place this weekend, so if you’re not racing, come out an watch.
This event has been called one of the nation’s best, and it’s near and dear to GreenTreks, not only because our Executive Director Barry Lewis has competed since the race’s inception, but because it highlights the key role a healthy environment plays in our lives.
Imagine if the Schuylkill River wasn’t surrounded by a system of parks to act as a buffer against runoff: there would be no way the swim-bike-run event could be held.*
*NOTE: In spite of the vast improvement in the Schuylkill’s water quality over the past decade, major storms flush significant amounts of pollutants and sediments into the river, so the swim portion is always dependent upon the weather in the days leading up to the race. For an up to date assessment of water quality, based on predictive models, check out phillyrivercast.org. At last check, at 11:30 am on Friday morning, the water quality was good and the water temperature was 79 degrees.
Imagine if we didn’t plan and care for greenspace by maintaining pathways through tree covered landscapes to provide shade and produce oxygen: how enjoyably could we ride and run amidst the paved in, built up city environment that heats like an oven at this time of year?
Imagine if we didn’t have a committed community of athletes, advocates, sponsors, city officials, and volunteers: the coordination, logistics, expense, and personnel requirements of hosting more than 4,00 athletes for a series of multi-sport events would never happen and could never result in such a rich experience for participants without every single person involved.
This year, we’re even more excited about the event, because race management is embarking upon a series of greening initiatives to reduce the event’s environmental footprint and give back to the community that makes the race possible. You can learn more about the initial phase of the race going green, which involves a partnership with Nathan Performance Gear and benefits the Fairmount Park Conservancy here >>
Actually, we’re over the moon about the 2011 race because Barry, who was selected as USA Triathlon’s 2010 Masters Duathlete of the Year, is once again competing as a member of Team PHLY–and they’re partnering with the Challenged Athletes Foundation to RACE FOR A REASON. If you think a triathlon is challenging, check out this video about CAF. Be prepared to be inspired.
Then get out and go after your dreams!
Then get out and go after your dreams!
Season 8 of Philadelphia Stories starts airing in May
Apr 25th
MIND-TV (formerly known as WYBE-TV 35) has just announced its selections for the 8th season of Philadelphia Stories, a series of “captivating stories which illuminate and celebrate the Greater Philadelphia region, as seen through the lenses of local filmmakers.” We’ve had programs selected before, but this year we’re more excited than ever: our 30 minute cut of Green City, Clean Waters is making its prime time debut on May 21!
We’ll remind you again, but mark your calendar now:
Green City, Clean Waters.
MIND-TV (WYBE-35)
Saturday May 21, 8 PM.
If you haven’t seen the promo yet, check it out now. The show takes an inspiring look at the amazing things that are happening all around the city in the name of stormwater management–efforts which, as many of the program’s participants point out, do way more than manage runoff. They make Philly a more beautiful, healthier, more livable place.
Green City, Clean Waters Promo from GreenTreks Network on Vimeo.
No question, we’re psyched to be selected as part of this year’s lineup–especially since there looks to be an amazing crop of films coming out of our region. As MIND-TV says, “Philadelphia Stories is dedicated to the promotion of film and video programs by our region’s independent producers. Works range from social issue documentaries to thought-provoking short narratives, creative animation and experimental programs. Philadelphia Stories favors stories and ideas that reflect the diversity in interests found in our region, including those that reach across gender, class, age, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and economic background.”
The series will air on Wednesday and Saturday nights at 8 pm, starting May 4. Check out the complete schedule >>
Carnival on the Parkway April 16 kicks off two week long Phila Science Festival: join us there!
Apr 12th
If you don’t have a reservation for the sold out Melting Moments of Delight: The Science of Chocolate (Artisserie Chocolate Cafe on South 18th next Friday), not to worry: you’ve got dozens of alternatives for discovering how science intersects with our daily life over the next couple of weeks as the Philadelphia Science Festival gets underway. You can discuss Biomedical Ethics over beer, uncover the science behind the iPod, hear how fuel cells can decrease our dependency on oil, and catch inventor Dean Kamen’s views on innovation and the future. Events are happening all over the city, from the 15-28!
You can check out the complete schedule here >>
The Festival kicks off with a public outdoor carnival on Saturday, April 16th and we’ll be there in force. GreenTreks has teamed up with the School District of Philadelphia and our EcoExpress Community Partners to create a booth offering young and old the chance to discover their connection to the local environment–while also offering teachers resources they can take back to the classroom to engage their students in exciting new ways.
What: Science Carnival on the Ben Franklin Parkway
When: Saturday, April 16, 2011. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: FREE ALL DAY!
We’ll be there! Visit the School District of Philadelphia with EcoExpress and our Community Partners at Booth 74 around Logan Square on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, just west of Race Street, to participate in hands-on activities focused on Philadelphia’s watersheds. Learn about the quality of our waterways by exploring Delaware Valley Earth Force’s watershed map, viewing local water samples through microscopes with volunteers from the GlaxoSmithKline Science Ambassadors, and taking home native plant seeds that help protect your local water sources. EcoExpress will provide teachers with lesson plans aligned to Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Environment & Ecology and Science & Technology and the School District of Philadelphia’s Planning and Scheduling Timelines, so teachers can incorporate EcoExpress.org’s ever-expanding library of videos and educational resources into their curriculum.
ECOEXPRESS is for everyone, so be sure to stop by BOOTH 74!
Science Carnival on the Parkway Details >>
Science Carnival Map and Guide >>
Philadelphia Science Festival Details >>
Philadelphia Science Festival Schedule of Events >>
Ask not what your community can do for you-ask what you can do for your community
Apr 6th
We love sharing, borrowing, and/or paraphrasing quotable quotes, and there’s no better time than Earth Month to revisit the spirit of giving back that President Kennedy sought to instill during his historic inaugural address.
My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you — ask what can you do for your country.
President John F. Kennedy, Jan 20, 1961.
President Obama’s United We Serve initiative picks up on the theme — and a couple of weeks ago, highlighted a great story on the intersection of service, learning, and preparing our youngsters for the demands of the 21st Century. Check it out here >>
Closer to home, there are literally hundreds of opportunities to answer the call in the coming weeks, from Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Great PA Cleanup events to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Plant One Million Trees initiative; from the Schuylkill Scrub watershed wide beautification efforts to a variety of events being hosted around the City of Philadelphia.
If running’s your thing (like ours), you can support the Clean Air Council’s work while hammering out a 5K on the Drives.
April 16: 30th Anniversary 5K for Clean Air >>
For change of scenery, venture out to the Cobbs Creek Parkway for the inaugural 5K hosted by the Darby-Cobbs Watershed Partnership.
April 23: Cobbs Creek 5K >>
Take the plunge and get Involved. Somehow, somewhere, you can start making a difference.
Do something TODAY.
