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Chatham University

Landscape Architecture Landscape Studies

Division of Art and Design Newsletter Update

September 2007

Inside Information 1. Important Chatham University News

• MLA Program receives accreditation status • Memorial Labyrinth Design Competition • Five New iMacs for the JMK Library • Chatham listed among “best universities”

2. Conferences/ Meetings/Events 3. For Future Consideration 4. American Society of Landscape Architect News 5. Student ASLA News 6. Calls for Entries 7. Grant Opportunities 8. Job Opportunities 9. Volunteers Needed 10. News of Interest

• Emerald Ash Borer quarantine extends to Pittsburgh region • Erin Brockovich featured speaker at upcoming Duquesne conference

11. Penn Future Podcast 12. Green Building Alliance News 13. News from Sustainable Pittsburgh

Important Chatham University News

Master of Landscape Architecture program receives accreditation

By Amanda Kennedy, Public Relations Specialist The first professional Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree at Chatham University has received accreditation from the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects, according to an announcement by Laura Armesto, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs August 21, 2007. The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board granted initial accreditation for a three-year period to the course of study leading to the first professional MLA degree, subject to review of annual reports and maintenance of good standing.

Chatham University Landscape Architecture/Studies Newsletter September 2007

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The curriculum for the Master of Landscape Architecture program at Chatham University emphasizes sustainability and environmental concerns, from the use of landscape architecture techniques to restore wetlands and redevelop brownfield sites to sustainable site design to correspond with green building techniques. It is the only Master of Landscape Architecture program in Pittsburgh, and incorporates a living lab – the University’s 32-acre arboretum campus. Chatham is also the alma mater of Rachel Carson, Class of 1929, founder of the modern environmental movement. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the publishing of Carson’s ”Silent Spring” in 2002, Chatham phased out the use of chemical cleaners, herbicides and pesticides on campus and also moved to purchase 15 percent of its power from renewable resources. “I congratulate the program director, Lisa Kunst Vavro, as well as the faculty and students for contributing to the success of this program, which was launched only four years ago,” Dr. Armesto said. “Their preparation for the accreditation review was very thorough and also gave the entire campus community the opportunity to see first-hand their creativity and dedication.” The Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) accreditation process evaluates each program on the basis of its stated objectives and compliance with nine externally mandated minimum standards. The program conducts a self-evaluation study to determine how well it is meeting its educational goals and the standards set by the profession. LAAB then provides an evaluation team comprised of a landscape architecture educator, an administrator and a practitioner who evaluate the program according to the accreditation standards.

Chatham University Design Competition for Landscape Students

Design a Memorial Labyrinth

for the site in front of Berry Hall

If your design is chosen…win $500

For more information contact Lisa Kunst Vavro at 412.365.1882

or [email protected]

The ASLA’s definitions for reference:

LR (last review); IR (initial review); NR (next review)

The program's accreditation status is full unless otherwise noted.

Accreditation: Granted when all standards are met and as a result, the continued overall quality of the program and its conformance to accreditation standards is likely.

Provisional: Granted when one or more standards are met with weakness and the cited deficiencies are such that continued overall program quality and conformance to standards are uncertain.

Initial Accreditation: Granted on a first review when all standards are at least minimally met and the program's continued development in quality and conformance to the accreditation standards is likely.


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Five New iMacs in the JMK Library Christopher L. Grove Helpdesk Supervisor announced that the Group Study Room/24hr Card Access Room in the JKM Library has 5 new iMacs. They are all connected to the internet\printer and one is setup as a scanning station. The Media Lab will close Friday, September 14 to move the old G4 iMacs to Eden Hall and install 15 new 24 iMacs in the media center. Look for details for the re-opening. For more information, please call the helpdesk. Pittsburgh’s newest university listed in US News and World Report rankings By Amanda Kennedy, Public Relations Specialist In its first academic year since obtaining university status, Chatham University will be included in the Best Universities – Master’s category in U.S.News & World Report, according to an announcement by Chatham President Esther L. Barazzone, Ph.D. Chatham is listed in the first tier of Masters Universities – North institutions. The ranking was derived using data from the University’s undergraduate women’s college, Chatham College for Women, one of the oldest women’s colleges in the United States. The only women’s college remaining in western Pennsylvania, Chatham is the alma mater of Rachel L. Carson (Class of 1929), author of Silent Spring and founder of the modern environmental movement. The rankings – which this year feature some changes in methodology – will be published in the magazine’s August 27 issue, on newsstands Monday, August 20, and available online at www.usnews.com/colleges beginning today. “We are very proud to have reached the first tier in the Master’s Universities category for our region, and to be accompanied by other fine institutions,” Dr. Barazzone said. “Although parents and students should not rely upon one source of information in selecting a university, some of the data provided by U.S. News can help to paint a broader picture.” US News categorizes Master’s institutions as those that provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs but offer few doctoral programs, based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Chatham was one of the few newly classified universities in the nation to be ranked among the top tier in the Master’s – North category. This marks the new University’s second national recognition in as many months. This summer Chatham’s MFA in Creative Writing program was named one of five Innovative/Unique Programs in the country by The Atlantic Monthly, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected magazines. The article, “Where Great Writers are Made,” appears in the magazine’s Special Fiction Issue 2007 and was based on more than 350 interviews with program directors, faculty, students and graduates; literary awards; past rankings; acceptance rates; faculty-to-student ratios; and financial aid data. Chatham University provides its 1,700 students with a solid education built upon strong academics, public leadership and global perspectives. Chatham’s graduate programs, continuing education and certification programs provide women and men with advanced education for professional careers. Founded in 1869, the University includes Chatham College for Women; the College of Graduate Studies; and the College for Continuing and Professional Studies. The 35-acre arboretum campus is located on historic Woodland Road in the Shadyside section of Pittsburgh. For more information call 800-837-1290 or visit www.chatham.edu.


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Conferences/Meetings/Events Sundays in September Pittsburgh City Parks feature free walking tours, 4-5 pm The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, Pittsburgh Paks Conservancy, and Allegheny Commons Restoration Committee are teaming up to off free park walks in five city parks. Each week features a different park with tours lasting about one hour, from 4 to 5 p.m. The tours focus on the natural beauty, historical significance of the parks as well as restoration accomplishments and plans. September 16: Highland Park – Meet in the entry garden, near Highland Avenue and Reservoir Drive. September 23: Riverview Park – Meet at the Visitor Center off Riverview Avenue, Observatory Hill. September 30: Allegheny Commons – Meet at the bus shelter on the corner of Cedar Avenue and East Ohio Street, North Side. Advance reservations are appreciated, but not required: 412-471-5808, ext. 527; [email protected] Thursdays through October 4 Tree Tender Course, 6-9 pm Trees in an urban environment contribute wide ranging social, economic, and ecological services and benefits that make communities more livable. Yet, over the past 15 years, the number of trees in U. S. cities has declined by almost thirty percent while the space covered by concrete has increased twenty percent. Pittsburgh is no different. Currently, over 3,000 trees are slated for removal and thousands more are at risk in this city. Residents can play a major role in reversing this situation. In partnership with the Penn State Coo-operative Extension, Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest will launch its first-ever tree tender course that will enable residents to care for small city trees. Local tree experts will provide instruction, and the topics vary from biology to pruning.The Tree Tender Course will take place at East Liberty Presybterian Church, 116 Highland Avenue four Thursday evenings beginning September 13 with an introduction, 6 – 9 pm, and one Saturday, October 6, 9 am to noon. A donation of $30 is suggested; scholarships are available. For more information please call 412-362-6360. Through Sunday, September 16 Viva Vetro! Glass Alive! Venice and America Carnegie Museum, Heinz Galleries Venice has been a preeminent glass center since the 16th century. European factories and designers have emulated the city’s success by adapting or copying designs associated with the Venetian masters. In the second half of the 20th century, American artists and designers also started looking to Venice for inspiration, and many of them traveled to the island of Murano in the Venetian Lagoon to work directly with the masters in the factories. These Americans returned to the States and invigorated the country’s rapidly growing and flourishing studio glass movement. This thriving interest in the art of glassmaking prompted an increasing number of Venetian masters to travel to the United States to teach and also to learn; a dialogue between artists began. Venice instilled in the Americans discipline, technical skills, and a new appreciation for color. America gave the Venetians the freedom to challenge and to question.

This exhibition, part of Pittsburgh’s 2007 yearlong “Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass,” examines the significant links between Venice and America from mid-1950s sculptor Robert Willson’s exploratory visits to Murano and the commissioning of work from American designers by the Venini factory to present-day artists, such as Lino Tagliapietra and Josiah McElheny. www.cmoa.org 412.622.3131.


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Through Monday, October 15 PNC Carousel Schenley Plaza Rides on the PNC Carousel are free every afternoon from 3 pm to closing. Now through October 15, kids and adults alike will be able to check out all the carousel animals without spending any cash. Free rides are courtesy of the generous sponsorship of The PNC Financial Services Group. Along with free wireless Internet access and great food from The Bagel Factory and Asia Tea House, it’s all part of making Schenley Plaza the perfect place for families to relax together at the end of the day. We hope to see everyone out on the lawn! http://www.pittsburghparks.org/ Saturday, September 15 -- The Green Scene for Homeowners: Reducing Your Bills The Green Building Alliance and Community Design Center of Pittsburgh have teamed up to offer this first-ever series geared to the residential market. Homeowners will learn how to apply good design and green building principles to home renovation projects. This third program in the series features Conservation Consultants, Inc. with money saving tips to reduce your energy and water bills. Full details at: www.gbaphg.org/events.asp Saturday, September 15 Architecture of the Night lecture by Dietrich Neumann Frick Fine Arts Building, University of Pittsburgh, 3- 4 pm Professor Neumann’s research investigates the impact that night lighting and the illumination of cities in the early 20th century had on the development of modern architecture. Architecture students are strongly urged to take advantage of this provocative and eye-opening presentation. The lecture is free, open to the public, and sponsored by the Pittsburgh Alumni Club of Brown University along with the Pitt Architectural Studies Program. Tuesday, September 18 AIA Annual Membership Meeting - Tour of 151 First Side, 6-8 pm Join AIA Pittsburgh for the Annual Membership Meeting on September 18, 6-8 pm, and a tour of 151 First Side, designed by Indovina Associates Architects. Located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, this 18-story condominium is part of the vibrant and historic First Side neighborhood. 151 First Side is about enjoying all that the city has to offer as residences can easily walk to the Cultural District, city parks, restaurants, Market Square, Station Square and the central business district. Enjoy hors d’ ouevres and cocktails. Don't forget, it's the last chance to turn in Design Award submission binders! Register online now by visiting: https://www.123signup.com/register?id=xbtct Tuesday, September 18 LEED Technical Workshop for General Contractors and Construction Managers, DEP Cambria Office, Ebensburg, PA, 8 am - 12:30 pm This day workshop created by the US Green Building Council is geared to design, construction, and operations professionals who want to build on their existing knowledge of LEED with in-depth instruction on the integrated design process. Faculty will share insights and lead individual and team exercises on the certification process including conducting charrettes, estimating costs, and preparing documentation. Attendees should have completed a Technical Review workshop or have equivalent knowledge of the LEED Rating System. Full details at: www.gbaphg.org/events.asp Saturday, September 22 – January 27, 2008 On A Grand Scale: The Hall of Architecture at 100 Carnegie Museum of Art In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Carnegie Museum of Art’s Hall of Architecture, an exhibition surveying its installation of nearly 150 plaster architectural casts will be on view. While most of the large cast collections assembled by museums in the late 19th and early 20th centuries have been sold or dispersed, the Hall of Architecture has


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remained intact throughout its 100-year history and continues to impress visitors and inspire artists of all ages. The exhibition will feature architectural drawings, period photographs, and ephemera chronicling the history of Andrew Carnegie’s creation of the third largest cast collection in the world, as well as address the production of casts in the 19th century and how the Carnegie's casts came to Pittsburgh.General support for the exhibition program at Carnegie Museum of Art is provided by grants from the Heinz Endowments and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. For details go to www.cmoa.org or call 412.622.3131.

Monday -- Tuesday, September 24 – 25 Reclaiming Vacant Properties: Strategies for Rebuilding America’s Neighborhoods Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh Reclaiming Vacant Properties: Strategies for Rebuilding America’s Neighborhoods, sponsored by the National Vacant Properties Campaign, will be the first national conference focusing on helping realize the potential of vacant properties as community assets – highlighting strategies to ensure they benefit the residents, communities, and cities around them. Anyone committed to learning from, and sharing, experiences that make America’s neighborhoods stronger and healthier – community development professionals, public officials, civic leaders, local and state governmental staff, citizen activists, crime and safety professionals, the financial community, real estate professionals, academics, developers, planners, and others will benefit from this conference. For more information, visit http://www.vacantproperties.org/reclaimingconference.html Wednesday, September 26 Sustainability and Smart Growth Forum "Greenprint, a regional conservation agenda prioritizing land conservation for the public good," 11:30 am – 1 pm Regional Enterprise Tower, 425 6th Ave., Downtown Pittsburgh, Davis Room, 23rd Floor Allegheny Land Trust is developing the GREENPRINT to help to direct land conservation activities to address regional threats such as flooding, landslides, and loss of scenic character and biodiversity. Presented by Roy Kraynyk, Executive Director Allegheny Land Trust. Bring a brown bag lunch -- beverages and dessert provided. No fee to attend. Register: [email protected] or 412-258-6642; www.alleghenylandtrust.org Wednesday, September 26 Charles A. Birnbaum Lecture Cleveland Botanical Garden, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The Cleveland Botanical Garden hosts a lecture by the President of the Cultural Landscape Foundation, Charles A. Birnbaum, FASLA, FAAR on “The Influence of the Italian Garden on Garden and Design.” The Cultural Landscape Foundation is the only non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public awareness of the importance and irreplaceable legacy of cultural landscapes. Register on line at www.cbgarden.org or call 216-721-1600 x 143. Wednesday, September 26 Rachel Carson Centennial Lecture Duquesne University, 7 pm 2007 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Rachel Carson, widely credited with catalyzing the modern environmental movement. Along with Pittsburgh-area educational institutions, the Rachel Carson Homestead Association is sponsoring the Rachel Carson Legacy Series to commemorate Carson’s life and environmental ethic.


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As part of that series, the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences is presenting a lecture by Professor Helmut Hillebrand, from the University of Cologne, Germany. Professor Hillebrand’s lecture, titled, “Current Trends in Biodiversity: Should We Be Concerned?” will be held on September 26, 7 pm in the Pappert Lecture Hall of the Bayer Learning Center on the Duquesne campus. Professor Hillebrand is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Botany at the University of Cologne and the director of the International Master of Environmental Science (IMES) degree program. His lecture will examine the role of biodiversity in ecosystems, global patterns in biodiversity, and their significance to Man.The event is free, and a reception will be held afterward. Parking is available in the Forbes Avenue Parking Garage, located on Forbes Avenue, near the main entrance to the Duquesne campus. A map of the campus, showing the locations of the Bayer learning Center and the Forbes Garage can be viewed at http://www.duq.edu/frontpages/main/map/parking.html. After parking in the Garage, take the elevator to the 8th floor and follow the brick walkway onto campus. Wednesday, September 26 -- Pittsburgh Green Roof Infrastructure: Waterproofing and Drainage, Comfort Inn, Rodi Road, 8:30 am to 5 pm This is GRHC’s third course in the Green Roof Accreditation Program. Registrants should have already taken the Green Roof Design 101 Introductory Course and Green Roof Infrastructure Design & Installation 201 or have an in-depth understanding of green roof design and available technology. This course will provide participants with an overview of waterproofing and drainage construction and maintenance for green roof assemblies. It lays out technical vocabulary and materials and presents detailed design solutions and best management practices for waterproofing and drainage in green roofs.

This course provides information so that participants can understand the principles of waterproofing and drainage as they apply to green roofs; identify appropriate materials for waterproofing and drainage of your green roof project; understand the technical design requirements for waterproofing and drainage in green roofs; and, understand the potential implementation issues posed by the additional trades working on a roof and techniques for its prevention.

Those using AIA, RCI, or ASLA credits for application toward their local/regional association or for license renewal can acquire 7.5 education credits for participating in this course. Tuition for this one-day course is $395 per person and includes course materials, lunch, and a one-year individual membership of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities - the green roof industry association for North America.

If a check is mailed, it must be received in our office three days prior to the event. Registrations may be cancelled by contacting Anna Sergeyeva, at 416-971-4494, ext. 228 up to three days prior to the event, and will incur a $50 cancellation fee. We regret that we cannot cancel a registration after that point. For more information please call Anna Sergeyeva at 416-971-4494, ext. 228 or email [email protected]. Wednesday, September 26 -- Alliance Building Breakfast: Introducing - LEED for Neighborhood Developments -- Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, 8 to 9:30 a.m. In the fourth of five Alliance Building Breakfasts, GBA's Executive Director Rebecca Flora will introduce the long-awaited, newest LEED rating system: LEED for Neighborhood Developments. Unlike other LEED products, LEED-ND takes a step back from individual buildings and assigns a system to rate master planned neighborhood developments. Ms. Flora will explain the new system based upon her experience on the LEED-ND Steering Committee which developed the new system. Guests are welcome to attend the live event in the Pittsburgh Network region, or participate via videoconference downlink at either Laurel Highlands or Northwestern PA locations. Full details at: www.gbaphg.org/events.asp


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Thursday, September 27 Mayoral Candidates Forum, David Lawrence Convention Center, 6 - 9:30 pm The Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition will host a Mayoral Candidates Forum September 27focusing on civic planning issues. Both Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Republican mayoral candidate Mark DeSantis have agreed to participate. Moderated by Katherine Fink of WDUQ, the forum will be held at the David Lawrence Convention Center, 6 pm to 9:30 pm. WDUQ will tape the event for airing in early October. To attend, please RSVP by email or by calling 412.281.0995. Saturday, September 29 Rachel Carson Legacy Conference, Carnegie Mellon University This conference will address the topic of “Sustaining the Web of Life in Modern Society.” E. O. Wilson, Pellegrino University Professor Emeritus, Department of Entomology, Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University will present the keynote address. Sessions include: Global Warming; Perspectives on the Health of Our Oceans; Environmental Leadership; and Changing the Way We Live. For those who are part of the Chatham University community, Chatham can pay for your registration. Please register and then let us know so we can pay and make arrangements for transportation. www.rachelcarsonhomestead.org/CentennialCelebration/tabid/88/Default.aspx! Sunday, September 30 Community Design Center of Pittsburgh’s First Design Fair for House and Garden Grand Hall Priory on Pittsburgh’s North Side, 11 am - 5 pm This event features design resources for any and all homeowners in the region. Up to 50 local exhibitors in the categories of Gardens and Landscapes, Interiors, Home Remodeling and Renovation, and New Construction will be on hand to demonstrate their products and services, answer questions, and even sell some merchandise. Chatham University landscape architecture students will be featured in the courtyard with displays and information about native plants and sustainable design. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Sunday, September 30 Deutschtown 2007 House Tour in collaboration with Pittsburgh Design Fair for House and Garden, noon – 5 pm Deutschtown is the area south of East Ohio Street and all of Cedar Avenue which is designated a City Historic District. The neighborhood is listed in the National Register for Historic Places. Tickets are $15. Thursday -- Friday, October 4 – 5 Plant Collections Workshop, Boston, MA The American Public Gardens Association is pleased to present its first professional development symposium dedicated to the essentials of living plant collections management and curation. The two-day program, jointly hosted by the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University and Mount Auburn Cemetery, features a mixture of plenary sessions, panel discussions, and in-the-field classes on topics related to curation. Learn about creating and reviewing collections policies, developing and sticking to development plans, documenting, mapping and labeling your collection, and more. Because there is a constant need to share and gain new ideas, information and techniques, this intensive symposium is ideal for horticulturists, plant recorders and curators of all experience levels, and the content is applicable to a range of institutions regardless of size, scope, or Garden type. For details: http://www.publicgardens.org


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Saturday – Sunday, October 6 – 7 More than Just a Place to Congregate A workshop to help congregations reduce their energy costs, "Energy Costs and the Environment: The Practical and Moral Bottom Line for Your Congregation," will be offered two times, once each on Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral in Harrisburg. The workshop will feature Andy Rudin, coordinator for the Interfaith Coalition on Energy and offer practical advice and real solutions to cutting energy costs. The workshop is limited to the first 100 registrants, cost is $20, and the deadline for registration is September 28. For details: http://www.pennfuture.org Saturday – Tuesday, October 6 - 9 ASLA Annual Meeting– San Francisco Former Vice President Al Gore is the closing speaker at The American Society of Landscape Architects’ (ASLA) 2007 Annual Meeting on October 8 in San Francisco. He will present An Inconvenient Truth, the visually stunning multimedia presentation that inspires audiences to confront environmental issues. Details: www.asla.org. Thursday, October 11 Technical Workshop: LEED for Product Manufacturers, David L. Lawrence Convention Center 8:30 am - 12:30 pm This 1/2 day workshop created by the US Green Building Council is geared to vendors and product sales representatives interested in understanding how a product may contribute to applicable LEED credits. Faculty will emphasize how manufacturers can share knowledge to help the building industry chart a path toward sustainability. (This workshop will not specifically address the development of green products.) Full details at: www.gbaphg.org/events.asp.ASLA

Friday - Saturday, October 12 – 13 -- Global Warming and Energy Solutions 2007 With New Hampshire’s primary on the horizon, this 2007 Clean Air-Cool Planet climate solutions could make an impact on national leadership as it meets in Manchester, New Hampshire and will spotlight presidential candidates’ proposed global warming and energy policies. Speakers include Gove. John Lynch, Gov. Christine Tod Whitman, Robert Varney, U.S. EPA Administrator, and Mark Huddleston, President of the University of New Hampsire, along with many others.

General sessions will include topics business concerns, consumer attitudes on climate and energy, the latest on climate change, and information on the presidential candidates’ energy policy priorities. Candidates from both parties have been invited to attend and communicate their views and plans for action on climate change and energy security.

For details call 603-422-6464 ext. 104 or email [email protected]. Thursday, October 25 6 - 9 pm Design Awards Ceremony Design Pittsburgh is a celebration of architecture and design in the Pittsburgh region. A rich variety of public activities focused on design and architecture - including tours of local design and architecture firms, receptions and exhibits - take place every October. Architecture firms from Pittsburgh and other cities with a Pittsburgh tie (project or affiliated Pittsburgh firm) submit projects to be judged for various awards, including an award given by the public. This venue is designed not only to display the works of architects and award them for their efforts, but to give the public an opportunity to learn more about the profession. Please take the time to view the list of last years' winning projects, view our award archive and read about some of the highlights of past years' Design Pittsburgh. Also stay posted for more information on this years' upcoming Design Pittsburgh events. For more information: http://www.aiapgh.org/ Friday –Saturday, October 26 -- 27 -- Saving the Earth and its People La Roche College is hosting the Fourth Annual Global Problems, Global Solutions Conference: Saving the Earth and its People featuring workshops on a variety of social issues.


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"Our conference sponsors truly believe that we can affect change and combat the difficult challenges that exist now and threaten our future generations,” noted Paul Le Blanc, dean of La Roche College's School of Arts and Sciences and one of the founding organizers of the Global Problems, Global Solutions event in 2004.

“We are proud to host this coming together of social organizations, educational institutions and concerned citizens. Together, we must work to make more people aware of social injustices so they may be changed and, as a result, provide a brighter future for those who will be the leaders of tomorrow.”

This year's featured speaker is Erin Brockovich , a former law firm file clerk who won one of the nation's largest class-action lawsuits in history when she found that a public utility company was contaminating a town's water supply and causing its residents to become ill. Now director of research for the same California law firm, Masry & Vititoe, Ms. Brockovich continues her fight against environmental concerns. For registration information: http://www.laroche.edu/global/home.html

Sunday -- Wednesday, October 28 – 31 -- Ecological Landscaping: From scientific principles to public policies and practices Ohio State University¹s Urban Landscape Ecology Program is hosting this interdisciplinary conference in Cleveland, Ohio that will explore interrelationships between the ecological and sociocultural dimensions of designing, creating and managing sustainable urbanized landscapes. Conference participants will include scientists, policymakers, landscape managers, urban planners and other stakeholders. For further information go to www.oardc.ohio-state.edu. Thursday, November 1 Green Development Tour Shadyside Academy, 3:30 – 5 pm. Full details at: www.gbaphg.org/events.asp Thursday and Friday, November 1 – 2 Conference -- Community Forests and Healthy People State College, PA This two-day conference will take place in State College at the Atherton Hotel and will focus on best management practices, community stewardship, and the social value of community forests. Michael DiBerardinis, Secretary, Pennsylvania DCNR has been invited to attend. Some of the highlights include: • “New Terrain: Integrating TreeVitalize into Climate, Energy Conservation, and Open

Space Plans” with Patrice Carroll, Project Director, DCNR TreeVitalize Program • Tree Tenders, Community Volunteers, and Neighborhood Greening; Mindy Maslin,

Project Manager, Tree Tenders, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. • Raising Money for Community Projects: Practical Advice About Fundraising. Walt

Whitmer, Associate Director, Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development. • Using Trees for Stormwater Management. Vinnie Cotrone, Northeast Extension

Urban Forester, Penn State University. • Successfully Planning and Purchasing Open Space: The Montgomery County

Experience. Beth Pilling, Senior Planner, Montgomery County Planning Commission. • Natural Resource Conservation: What Can Growing Pennsylvania Places Do? Chris

Leswing, Assistant Director for Building and Planning, Lower Merion Township and Dr. Bill Elmendorf, Assistant Professor of Community Forestry, Penn State School of Forest Resources.

This event is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Community Forests, Penn State School of Forest Resources, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and Pennsylvania DCNR. For a brochure please contact David Harry at the Penn State School of Forest Resources at 814-865-7941or [email protected].


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Friday, November 9 Sustainable Landscaping Conference -- “Turning a New Leaf” Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council , 8 am -- 6 pm This conference is for landscaping professionals and will be held at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, Virginia.Topics include: the green in green development; creative stormwater and shoreline management; how-to for nursery and landscape businesses; designing and maintaining native landscapes. The Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC) is a coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to researching, promoting, and educating the public about conservation-based gardening and landscaping practices in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The Council is committed to fostering changes in public attitudes and the implementation of practices that result in a cleaner, healthier and more beautiful environment benefiting residents and the region's biological diversity. Go to www.chesapeakelandscape.org for detailed program and registration.

Friday, November 30 Spirit and Nature Conference -- Chatham College A multi-faith gathering to discuss the reverence for nature contained in all world religions. Through panels and workshops, participants can explore how earth stewardship is a matter of faith and how sustainable living, including conservation efforts, green building and using renewable energy, are practices that can be embraced by all. For more information on any of these events, contact the Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham College at 412-365-1361 or email [email protected]. Wednesday, December 5 Alliance Building Breakfast 8 – 9:30 am. In the final Alliance Building Breakfasts of 2007, join staff, board, committee and members of the Green Building Alliance and US Green Building Council for the annual membership update. This breakfast meeting will share new developments and initiatives happening with nationally with the USGBC and locally in Western Pennsylvania by the Green Building Alliance. Full details at: www.gbaphg.org/events.asp

For future consideration…

April 31 – May 2, 2008 Sixth annual Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference Baltimore Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel and Baltimore Convention Center See www.greenroofs.org/baltimore for details.

American Society of Landscape Architects News

Vice President Al Gore keynote speaker

Former Vice President Al Gore will be the closing keynote speaker for ASLA’s 2007 Annual Meeting on October 8 in San Francisco. He will present An Inconvenient Truth, the visually stunning multimedia presentation that inspires audiences to confront environmental issues. The Society's mission is to lead, educate, and participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environments. In 1992, ASLA presented then-Senator and soon-to-be Vice President Al Gore with

its Olmsted Medal, the highest honor the Society may bestow upon an individual outside the profession of landscape architecture.


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“It was only the third time the medal had ever been presented and this early honor turned out to be very prescient given Al Gore’s steadfast leadership, vision, and stewardship of the environment,” said Nancy C. Somerville, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA. “His speaking tour and documentary have educated millions on what we must do to protect our planet for ourselves and for generations to come. Landscape architects are on the forefront of designing our built environment and protecting our natural resources and his presentation will provide a rallying point for the profession.”

The ASLA Annual Meeting is the largest annual gathering of landscape architecture professionals in the world and will be held October 6-9 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. More than 7,000 attendees are expected to participate in over 80 educational sessions and to tour the 500-booth product EXPO. Information on meeting registration is available on the ASLA web site, www.asla.org.

Call for Entries

2007 Design Awards – call for entries The Design Awards Committee invites your participation in the AIA Pittsburgh Design Awards 2007. Our mission is to recognize and promote excellence in the craft of architecture and landscape architecture, as created by the members of The American Institute of Architects and The American Society of Landscape Architects Western Section PA/DE Chapter. In keeping with that mission, we offer several categories that recognize excellence in different aspects of design. The Green Design Citation is a special award for Architectural and Interior Architecture Award Entries that excel in green design.

As in the past, every project submitted will be eligible for exhibition. Don’t miss the Design Pittsburgh Gala downtown in the Cultural District! The announcement of the winners of the Silver Medal, Honor Award(s), Certificate(s) of Merit, Green Design Citation(s), Award(s) of Excellence and the Landscape Architecture Awards will be made at the AIA Pittsburgh Design Awards Ceremony.

The Design Awards entries will not be judged in competition with each other, but rather by measuring the architect’s performance against each project’s potential. Thus, projects of ordinary program or modest budget can merit an award based on the architect or landscape architect's skill in optimizing the design opportunity. Architectural submissions and landscape architectural submissions will be judged in their own categories:

Nominations for Chapter Officers Due by

Friday September 21st Next Student Chapter ASLA Meeting

Wednesday September 26th at 5:30 p.m. in Studio 203

Elections that night Bring your ideas for future endeavors!!!

Note: All new students get free membership their first year.


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AIA Pittsburgh 2007 Architectural Awards 2007 Regional & Urban Planning Awards 2007 Interior Architecture Awards 2007 Architectural Detail/Craftsmanship Awards 2007 Open Plan Awards 2007 Timeless Awards PA/DE ASLA Western Section 2007 Landscape Architectural Awards 2007 Landscape Architectural Detail/Craftsmanship Awards 2007 Landscape Open Plan Awards 2007 Landscape Timeless Awards For more information go to http://www.aiapgh.org/design_pgh.html Exhibition opportunity at LIVING EXPOSED For Architects and Interior Designers The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) invites participation in its LIVING EXPOSED exhibit promoting downtown living at the October 19 Gallery Crawl, sponsored by the Cultural Trust. Participation is free, but space is limited. Only projects within the Greater Downtown area will be considered (Golden Triangle, Strip, North Shore, Uptown\Bluff, Lower Hill). All entries will be reviewed and selected by the PDP and chosen based on available display area and variety of product types. If selected, you will need to provide the exhibition materials (Foam-boarded photos, renderings and floor plans; models; finish material samples; etc.). Display examples must be received at the PDP office no later than 5 pm, on Friday, September 20. If interested, please e-mail examples of the work to be displayed.

Grant Opportunities Pittsburgh Rotary has scholarships available for 2008 The Pittsburgh Rotary district in partnership with Rotary International is looking to fill five to six slots as part of the Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships program for 2008 and possibly 2009. The program is flexible and aimed specifically at non-Rotarians. Undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals seeking additional education should contact Richard Beck at (412) 343-9488 or Georgia Petropoulos at (412) 683-6243 ext. 18. For further information go to www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/index.html

Job Opportunities

Akron, Ohio company hiring Attention landscape architects, landscape designers, autocad draftsmen

Salsbury-Schweyer, Inc, a nationally acclaimed Landscape Design and Development Group, seeks an experienced, creative AutoCAD Draftsperson/Landscape Designer/Landscape Architect to become an integral member of our design team.

This employee is responsible for a variety of tasks including:

• Creation of landscape plans in AutoCAD. • Sketch perspectives & renderings. • Assist principal designers with design projects, research, estimating and gathering of

information. • Experience in Photoshop, graphic design, and digital image management is also helpful.


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Candidate is to be organized, detail oriented & efficient with the ability to work independently on multiple projects. Other qualifications are:

• Two or more years of landscape design or architectural drafting experience with a solid knowledge of AutoCAD.

• A minimum of 2 years of college with bachelor’s degree preferred. • Computer proficiency required, including Microsoft Office & Outlook. • Excellent communication skills are essential. • An individual who is eco-friendly with an appreciation for gardening preferred.

Salsbury-Schweyer, Inc is known for progressive residential designs and a personal, sustainable approach to the land. Located in a renovated industrial space near downtown Akron, Ohio, we offer a pleasant work environment in a contemporary office suite. Our company is small, but growing, offering the right individual a great opportunity to advance with the business. For more information please visit our website at www.salsbury-schweyer.com. Gardener’s Eye offers three position openings: Gallery Designer, Coordinating Gardener, and Design and Design Assistant Job Title: Gallery Designer Work Status: Part Time Reports to President FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (hourly) Job Summary: This position is responsible for creating personalized shopping and merchandise experiences for customers through knowledgeable client-focused design services and showcasing products via unique use of the retail store space, layout, and fixtures all to increase sales of store merchandise. Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide in-store and at-home consulting services to clients in the store to create stylish, customized exterior and interior spaces that reflect and enhance the home by considering personality, color, space, and placement.

• Provide design advice to customers in need of assistance with product selection. • Work with buyer(s) and/or assistant buyer(s) to research and find special request

items from vendors, catalogs, and other sources to meet customers’ design and timeframe needs.

• Utilize design skills applying knowledge of products, color, materials, size, textures, and applications to create unique, creative, and appealing store designs to increase sales and encourage customers to make selections that enhance their exterior and interior home environment beyond their original concept.


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• Work with buyer(s), assistant buyer(s), existing, and new vendors to research and obtain display materials which enhance the shopping experience and promote increased merchandise sales.

• Design, develop and implement innovative store displays to promote products and expand customer awareness of the applications scope of our merchandise.

• Regularly assess and revise store design layout for the ultimate customer experience with consideration for maximum product display, easy access, breakage reduction, and visual appeal.

• Develop systems and processes to efficiently manage and control expenses as they affect store displays and customer design consultations.

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibility: None required Budget Accountability: Responsible for adhering to and managing the budget guidelines when visiting customer sites or developing and designing displays with careful attention to controlling costs. Abilities:

• A self motivated individual who seeks to assist in the care and merchandising of our products.

• Possess analytical and financial skills to effectively manage expenses and overhead.

• Demonstrate professional and courteous interpersonal skills when working with clients, customers, co-workers, vendors, suppliers and the public on behalf of Gardener’s Eye.

• Work both independently (with minimal supervision) and in teams and effectively manage interpersonal relationships and conflict.

• Possess and demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills. • Demonstrate ability to multitask, prioritize, work independently, meet deadlines

and maintain attention to detail in communication, design, presentation and client service.

• Demonstrate ability to act decisively, with a sense of urgency, and successfully in a fast-paced environment.

• Possess a strong work ethic, intuitive concern for the client, desire to enhance the reputation of Gardener’s Eye and passion for gardening and fine landscapes.

Education/Experience:

• High school graduate or equivalent; undergraduate degree in design related field preferred (i.e.,interior design, exterior design).

• Minimum three (3) years design experience. • Previous operational and systems experience highly desirable.

Physical Demands: The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to sit, walk, use hands; reach with hands and arms; bend, stoop, kneel and crouch.

• Must be able to lift 40 pounds. • Must be able to manipulate, carry and place store merchandise on client

properties. • Must not be colorblind; must be able to discern between all colors and shades • Must possess a valid PA driver’s license and/or have reliable transportation to

client sites.


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Gardener’s Eye 3392 Saxonburg Blvd Glenshaw, Pa 15116 412.487.7802 phone 412.487.7803 fax [email protected] Job Title: Coordinating Gardener Work Status: Full Time Reports to President FLSA Status: Nonexempt Supervisory Responsibility: Responsible for scheduling, process training, and coordinating gardeners and assistant gardeners. Computer and Equipment Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be skilled in the use of Word, Excel and Outlook. Budget Accountability: Responsible for adhering to and managing the budget guidelines when coordinating projects. Abilities:

• Possess strong analytical and organizational skills required to coordinate work of others.

• Possess and demonstrate knowledge of plants and other garden-related materials.


• Work both independently (with minimal supervision) and in teams and effectively manage interpersonal relationships and conflict.


and maintain attention to detail in communication, project coordination and client service.

• Demonstrate ability to act decisively, with a sense of urgency, and successfully in a fast-paced environment.

• Possess a strong work ethic, intuitive concern for the client, desire to enhance the reputation of Gardener’s Eye and a passion for gardening and fine landscapes.

Education/Experience:

• Associates degree in business, project management or related field required. BA in similar fields preferred.

• Minimum one (1) year gardening, landscape design, or related horticultural experience.

• Minimum one (1) year supervisory and/or coordination experience required. Physical Demands: The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.



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• Must be able to work indoors (including telephone and computer operations). Must be able to work outdoors in Pittsburgh temperatures existing from about March 15 through December 15 and perform gardening duties. Must be able to work outdoors in Pittsburgh temperatures all year meeting with clients.

• Must be able to lift 40 pounds. • Must be able to manipulate, carry and place plants, supplies, and containers on

properties. • Must possess a valid PA driver’s license and/or have reliable transportation to

client sites. Gardener’s Eye 3392 Saxonburg Blvd Glenshaw, Pa 15116 412.487.7802 phone 412.487.7803 fax [email protected] Job Title: Design Assistant Work Status: Full Time Reports to: President FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (hourly) Job Summary: This position will assist with the creation and presentation of accurate, detailed, knowledgeable and unique garden designs for Gardener’s Eye clients. Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist designer with preparing and implementing garden designs. This includes setting up and participating in client consultations, assisting with bid estimates, completing site visits and analysis, preparing proposals that address client requests, ordering materials and coordinating installations.

• Accurately measure locations for new and enhanced garden designs. This includes consideration for existing and planned land areas, planting beds, hardscaping, and all other landscaping and structures that might affect the designs.

• Create drawn-to-scale hand-rendered site plans for garden designs that clearly, accurately and comprehensively depict the proposed design.

• Research, analyze, select materials, provide options and make design and garden recommendations based on clients needs.

• Create, construct and assemble pictures and information sheets of plants and other materials for design portfolios.

• Prepare presentation portfolios for clients that include detailed pictures and information about the proposed plans, plants and color schemes.


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• With direction, apply knowledge of plants, landscaping and gardening to develop mini-designs for landscaping areas, such as small perennial beds, that address materials, products and color selection.

• Stage installations of planting areas based on client and company requirements. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Supervisory Responsibility: None required. Budget Accountability: With direction, responsible for adhering to client and company budget requirements and bid proposals. Computer and Equipment Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be skilled in the use of Word, Excel and Outlook. Abilities:

• Possess strong analytical and spatial skills to measure, organize and produce accurate, drawn-to-scale designs.

• Possess and demonstrate knowledge of plants and other garden-related materials.


• Work both independently (under direction) and in teams and effectively manage interpersonal relationships and conflict.


and maintain attention to detail in communication, design, presentation and client service.

• Possess a strong work ethic, intuitive concern for the client, desire to enhance the reputation of Gardener’s Eye and passion for gardening and fine landscapes.

Education/Experience: • High school graduate or equivalent; undergraduate degree in gardening or

landscaping related field preferred. • Minimum three (3) years garden, landscape design, or related experience. Physical Demands:

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


• Must be able to work outdoors meeting clients, analyzing and measuring sites in all Pittsburgh area climates and temperatures throughout the year.

• Must be able to lift 30 pounds. • Must be able to manipulate, carry and place plants and containers on properties. • Must possess a valid PA driver’s license and/or have reliable transportation to

client sites. Gardener’s Eye 3392 Saxonburg Blvd Glenshaw, Pa 15116 412.487.7802 phone [email protected]


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Volunteers Needed Want to volunteer in the parks? Make a difference in Pittsburgh this month. The Pittsburgh Park Conservancy is sponsoring two public volunteer days, Saturday September 15 at Schenley Park and the following week, September 22 at Frick Park. Both workdays run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include lunch. Wear sturdy shoes, clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and bring rain gear if the forecast calls for precipitation. The work goes on, rain or shine. On September 15, meet at the Visitor Center in Schenley Park. The project entails stabilizing the Panther Hollow slopes. On September 22, meet at the parking lot off Hutchinson Aenue in Regent Square near the soccer field. Invasive species from the hills above Nine Mile Run will be removed.To sign up, or for more information, email PPC at [email protected]. AIA Pittsburgh in search of Communications Committee members! Are you looking for a way to become more involved? Do you have creative ideas? Do you want to feel the impact of your participation each time you open a new issue of Columns? If so, then we want you to be part of our Communications Committee! All interested parties should submit a brief statement of interest, addressing the question of how your participation on the committee will benefit our communication efforts, to [email protected].

News of Interest Emerald Ash Borer quarantine extended to Southwest PA counties On June 22, 2007 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive, wood-boring beetle native to China and eastern Asia was detected for the first time in Pennsylvania. It was first detected in North America in July 2002 in southeastern Michigan and neighboring Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The pest likely arrived hidden in wood packing materials commonly used to ship consumer and other goods. The beetle is responsible for the death and decline of more than 20 million ash trees and quarantines in Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, and Illinois.

Consequently, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has also imposed a quarantine for Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties.

This quarantine restricts movement from these four counties to other areas within Pennsylvania of the following regulated articles: ash nursery stock, green lumber and any other ash material, including logs, stumps, roots and branches. Included, due to the difficulty in distinguishing between species, are all hardwood wood chips, bark and firewood.

Regulated articles, except for ash nursery stock the movement of which is prohibited, may legally be moved from the quarantined counties to other areas within Pennsylvania only if accompanied by an official certificate stipulating that certain approved measures aimed at mitigating possible spread of the beetle have been taken. Establishments receiving regulated articles from the quarantined area should ask to see certification.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture staff can issue certificates or businesses and individuals capable of applying the approved measures can be authorized to issue them after entering into a compliance agreement.

A compliance agreement is an agreement between a business or individual and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture that authorizes them to self-certify transport of regulated articles from the quarantine area. It defines acceptable treatments of regulated articles and includes inspection, monitoring and record keeping instructions. A person who violates this policy will face summary criminal prosecution carrying up to 90 days imprisonment and a fine of up to $300 or may be assessed a civil penalty of up to $20,000 with respect to each violation.

There are also restrictions if moving ash products from quarantined areas in other states into non-quarantined areas of Pennsylvania that must be obeyed. Pennsylvania’s


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quarantine and examples of compliance agreements with approved mitigation measures can be viewed at www.agriculture.state.pa.us/emeraldashborer.

For additional information related to the Department’s Emerald Ash Borer quarantine and/or certification of regulated articles contact Lisa Candelore at 724-443-1585 extension 125 (region 4 office), Michael Marcin 814-332-6890 extension 109 (region 1 office) or Walt Blosser at 717-772-5205.

Erin Brockovich to speak at LaRoche Conference Oct. 26 – 27 Erin Brockovich, a former law firm file clerk who won one of the nation's largest class-action lawsuits in history when she found that a public utility company was contaminating a town's water supply and causing its residents to become ill, is the featured speaker at La Roche College’s Fourth Annual Global Problems, Global Solutions Conference: Saving the Earth and its People.

Now director of research for the same California law firm, Masry & Vititoe, Ms. Brockovich continues her fight against environmental concerns. Her story was told on the silver screen in 2000, and her character was played by none other than Julia Roberts. The film netted an Oscar for Roberts, who played heroine Erin Brockovich – the law firm file clerk who went door-to-door in Hinkley, Calif., collecting evidence against a large public utility company whose operations were contaminating a town's water supply. She helped plaintiffs win $333 million in damages in one of the largest class-action lawsuits in history.

Now, after 10 years and in her role as director of research at Masry & Vititoe, the Westlake Village, Calif., law firm where her story began, Ms. Brockovich continues her work in environmental law, fighting for people who have become victims. She lives with her husband and three children in Agoura Hills , Calif. Ms. Brockovich also is the author of the best-selling book Take It From Me, Life's a Struggle But You Can Win.

For registration information: http://www.laroche.edu/global/home.html Download the most recent edition of Columns magazine from the AIA Pittsburgh website!

Session Daze - September, 2007 Lather. Rinse. Repeat – Except with Black Gunk In a cycle seeming without end, FirstEnergy's Bruce Mansfield power plant smokestacks continue to belch black gunk that settles all over the town of Shippingport and neighboring communities like Raccoon Township in Beaver County. After each episode, residents demand to know what potential health problems they might suffer – going so far as to getting their own tests of the black rain – and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) fines FirstEnergy for violating its clean air permit. Now the Beaver County Times reports that local residents are trying to jump off this not-so-Merry-Go-Round. Shippingport Borough Council members demanded answers from officials from FirstEnergy and DEP. According to the newspaper report, Councilman Terry Ordich said a DEP report on the incident seemed to be written in a foreign language. Residents want plain English explanations of the problems at the plant and also want the problems there fixed. They are also demanding details about the composition of the pollution and the possible health impacts of it for their families, pets, and wildlife. PennFuture and the Environmental Integrity Project have notified FirstEnergy that they intend to sue to stop these massive air pollution violations.


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The Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund Two-Step Step One - Representatives Rick Taylor (D-Montgomery) and Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) will be introducing legislation to keep the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund (HSCA) solvent through the end of this fiscal year. The legislation, HB 1810, has already attracted 55 co-sponsors of both parties. It would transfer $30 million of the state's budget surplus to HSCA. (Note: There is still time for more members to sign on before the bill's formal introduction later this month.) Step Two – Senator John Rafferty (R-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) has introduced a bottle bill, SB 1035, to provide permanent funding for HSCA. The legislation would authorize a nickel deposit on beverage containers and use money collected but not redeemed by consumers as the revenue source. This bill has attracted the opposition of a coalition of business interests that includes soda and water bottlers and beer brewers, waste companies and associations, convenience and food store associations and others who claim that a bottle bill is bad for the state, the environment and consumers. That flies in the face of the successful programs up and running in eleven other states. Some of these programs are so successful at reducing litter and expanding recycling that states are expanding their programs. This Preview is Rated P-G Coming soon to the Capitol and to the Pennsylvania Cable Network, premiering on September 17: "Survivor Pennsylvania - The Special Legislative Session on Energy Policy." This special session is brought to you by a deal between Governor Rendell and Senate Republicans that was struck when the budget agreement was reached. The governor wanted the Energy Independence Strategy to be addressed in June along with the budget. The strategy includes an $850 million fund for development of renewable energy projects, energy efficiency measures, and consumer rebates for energy efficient appliances. The legislators refused to consider it in June, but promised to provide funding during the special session. Also on the agenda: moving the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative, which would commit the state to producing 900 million gallons of its own transportation fuel –completely offsetting the amount we currently import from the Middle East. PennFuture is also drafting legislation that would require that energy conservation be increased to reduce growth in electricity demand and to require utilities to install smart meters in customers' properties. Governor Rendell and a growing group of bipartisan legislators support both initiatives. Preseason Scrimmage - House Consumer Affairs Committee Hearing The House Consumer Affairs Committee held a hearing on Wednesday to gather information about how the end of caps on electricity rates will affect consumers and the utility industry. PennFuture's president and CEO, John Hanger, testified at the hearing emphasizing the important role of renewable energy, energy conservation and smart meter technology in helping to minimize the expected rate increases after 14 years of electricity rate caps. Expanding supply with renewable fuels and reducing demand by cutting waste is the only recipe for easing the impact on household budgets. Others testifying included J. Michael Love, president and CEO of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania; Stephen Feld, Associate General Counsel, FirstEnergy; Lisa Crutchfield, Senior Vice President, Regulatory and External Affairs, PECO Energy Company; Doug Krall, manager of regulatory strategy for PPL Electric Utilities; PUC Chairman Wendell Holland; Dave Turner, Senior Vice President, Geslalt; Sonny Popowsky, Consumer Advocate of Pennsylvania; William Lloyd, Small Business Advocate; Douglas Biden, President, Electric Power Generation Association; and Frank Lacey from Direct Energy, who spoke on behalf of the Retail Energy Supply Association


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More than Just a Place to Congregate A workshop to help congregations reduce their energy costs, "Energy Costs and the Environment: The Practical and Moral Bottom Line for Your Congregation," will be offered two times, once each on Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral in Harrisburg. The workshop will feature Andy Rudin, coordinator for the Interfaith Coalition on Energy and offer practical advice and real solutions to cutting energy costs. The workshop is limited to the first 100 registrants, cost is $20, and the deadline for registration is September 28. For more information contact Anne Yellott. Podcast of the Week: Tanned, Rested and Ready With the PennFuture Podcasts back from two weeks at the Jersey Shore (where it saw many PennFuture members similarly resting), this week's podcast is proof that the Mon-Fayette toll road isn't the only choice for transportation in the region. Improving accessibility in the Mon Valley doesn't have to cost billions. Some projects that operate on a much smaller scale have the potential to boost economic and transportation investment in the region, without damaging the environment. In this podcast, PennFuture's Western Pennsylvania Outreach Coordinator Andrea Boykowycz tours the future riverfront trail connection between McKeesport and Pittsburgh with Steel Valley Trail Council President Hannah Hardy, and talks about future Pittsburgh Mon Valley trail connections with Friends of the Riverfront Executive Director Tom Baxter. You can follow along with Andrea and Hannah on the SVTC's trail map. And don't be the last one to be in the know - hear PennFuture podcasts first by having them automatically download to your desktop, vastly overpriced iPhone, or iPod. Just download the free software iTunes and follow the directions for PennFuture's podcasts. For more information and to view the full report, including state-specific information for all the northeastern states as well as a new solutions feature, visit www.climatechoices.org/ne. You can e-mail us at [email protected].

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Green Building Alliance Events – See Conferences/Meetings/Events

Full event details and registration information are available online at www.gbapgh.org/events.asp


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News from Sustainable Pittsburgh:

On the go: Is the City of Bridges becoming a City of Bicycles?

If you've been in the area this summer, surely you've noticed $10 million worth of conversion work being carried out on the second Hot Metal bridge, especially at the northern end where the superstructure has been extended across Second Avenue to connect to what's known as the "Jail Trail."... The new Hot Metal bridge could prove to be the biggest catalyst yet for a largely overlooked, two-wheeled transportation mode that has come out of the closet and is rapidly blossoming in popularity...With our hilly terrain, variable climate, addiction to automobiles, reluctance to "Share the Road" and other challenging obstacles, who would have believed two decades ago that such dramatic change could have happened here?

For more information please read Joe Graa’s article at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07252/815582-147.stm See Sustainable Pittsburgh events in Conferences/Meetings/Events

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