Grounded Strategies

Get your soil screened for lead for free by the Allegheny County Conservation District! ACCD is teaming up with Grow Pittsburgh, Farmer Girl Eb , Soil Sisters Plant Nursery, Community Garden at Allegheny Commons, Peace and Friendship Farm, GREATER VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES INC and AIU McKeesport Family Center to host a Soil Lead Screening Drop-off Event for Allegheny County residents from March 15- 23, 2025. Contaminants are common in urban soil, and can be hazardous to health when ingested or inhaled. Soil testing is the first step to reduce your risk of exposure whether you are backyard gardening, urban farming, stewarding community green space, or revitalizing vacant lots. Learn more and register here: https://ow.ly/yJ2L50Vf2sx

Many cities in the United States use 311 as an alternative to 911 for non-emergencies. You can use it to report a range of issues that your city is (or should be) responsible for fixing. On 311 Day, we are focusing on mobility issues such as: ? Crosswalks without ramps, making them inaccessible to wheelchair users ? Broken-up sidewalks, making them difficult for stroller-pushers ? Vehicles parked on sidewalks, making them inaccessible to pedestrians ? Bike lanes with missing flexposts, allowing cars to park in them Visit https://ow.ly/iqsH50Vc9ou to find an event near you today or you can simply call 3-1-1 at any time if you see mobility issues in our city throughout the year!

We can't wait to hear about everything you've been learning this week! ??

"That’s why the land bank is so important in the eyes of city officials. It can help transform vacant and abandoned properties into affordable housing, collaborating with neighborhood-led organizations like Hazelwood Initiative, rather than selling to for-profit developers." TribLIVE https://ow.ly/j2Pj50V8He2

Join our friends at New Sun Rising in celebrating their 20th Anniversary during The Cultural Gumbo on Friday, March 7! This vibrant evening at the Millvale Food + Energy Hub will be filled with New Orleans inspired music by Leaky Faucet, Isaiah Small, and Brassholio in the lounge with DJ’s SMI and Supa C in the Purple Onion Art Market. Food by Bouji Bites and drinks from Harold’s Hauntfor sale all nightlong. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 6:30 p.m. Laissez les bons temps roulez! For more information, visit: https://ow.ly/GFTO50V8nio

The PGH Mobile Toolbox intake form is OPEN for engagements between April 1 and October 31! The Mobile Toolbox provides tools to keep green space in Allegheny County vibrant and maintained. Grounded provides these tools at no cost to non-profit organizations, public schools, volunteer groups, and other groups that do not profit from this work. You can learn more and submit your reservation request at https://lnkd.in/euTDEXUq

We had a great time at Tree Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance's inaugural Multi-Faith Community Forestry Summit! It was a wonderful day of discussing the spirituality of nature and learning how to better care for it ??

We're hiring! The Project Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the Vacant Land Advocacy Network, Groundtruthing and the Gaining Ground programs, including providing technical assistance to those trying to navigate vacant land ownership opportunities. They lead projects through conceptualization, implementation, and evaluation of outcomes. This position reports to the Executive Director. You can apply here: https://ow.ly/omb850V3xj1

Grounded will be out of office today in observance of Presidents' Day. We'll be back to our normal operations tomorrow!

Please join Tree Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light, and the Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance on February 24 from 8:30am-3:00pm at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to learn about resources for community greening and forestry projects. At the Summit you can: ?? Consider how to connect your faith practices with environmental stewardship. ?? Discover opportunities to plant and care for trees, including community orchards. ?? Hear from faith leaders working on greening projects. ?? Learn about existing resources and funding and how to implement them at your congregation! You can register here: https://ow.ly/eSrT50UQCtu This is a free and welcoming event, if you have any questions about your participation, please contact Surya Lee at [email protected].