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WHEREAS, originally established in 1979, the Frick Environmental Center has served for decades as a vital gateway to Frick Park, fostering environmental stewardship and providing generations of residents and visitors with meaningful opportunities to connect with the natural world; and,
WHEREAS, following a devastating fire in 2002, a collaborative effort among the City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, community partners, civic leaders, and residents led to the reimagining of the Environmental Center as a state-of-the-art, environmentally responsible facility. Reopened in 2016, the Environmental Center achieved Living Building Challenge certification, one of the most rigorous and prestigious standards for sustainable design, and LEED Platinum certification; and,
WHEREAS, since its reopening, the Environmental Center has become a vibrant hub for environmental learning and, welcoming thousands of visitors annually through free, accessible programming. Over the past decade, the Environmental Center has hosted more than 1,500 school visits, engaging students from 47 schools, including 19 Pittsburgh Public Schools, in hands-on environmental education. Through its programs, nearly 3,000 campers have explored Frick Park through summer camp experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and connection to nature; and,
WHEREAS, it also plays a critical role in workforce development and environmental leadership, supporting 95 high school interns through its Young Naturalists program, where students gain hands-on experience, connect with environmental professionals, and contribute to park stewardship efforts. In addition, the Environmental Center has welcomed visitors of all ages through more than 200 educational building tours, highlighting its distinction as one of the greenest public buildings in the world; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh and Parks Conservancy are now celebrating the 10-year
anniversary of the Environmental Center's reopening, rec...
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