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Fall 2023 Newsletter

Image credit: Aaron Birdy WSRP- Wallace Ave. Lot, August 2023

Living, Thriving Systems

A Letter from our Executive Director Water is alive. The forms it takes, from the smallest stream to the largest ocean are each individual systems that are interconnected as a part of a larger living, breathing ecosystem. Everything that depends on those living water systems is also a natural part of keeping it moving and healthy, up to and including humans, even if we tend to think the opposite. That being said, as a species, we are not doing the work required to keep those systems working. With the growing challenges of manmade climate change, we are putting immense, unsustainable pressure on our water systems globally and locally. To ensure a future with healthy ecologies and healthy communities, we must focus on building regenerative water systems that are designed to adapt to change and remain functional during extreme weather events. Pittsburgh likes to lean into its label as a “livable city”, but if we are failing to build systems that offer clean, affordable water to everyone, can we truly consider our region livable? Currently at UpstreamPgh, we are undergoing a multi-year strategic planning process. We are taking a hard, deep look into how we interface, not just with our local water systems, but with the communities tied to them within the Nine Mile Run Watershed and beyond. We are asking questions about what a truly regenerative water system would look like. About who would benefit from such a system, what communities’ needs are, and how that system would or would not meet them. And ultimately, about who holds the power to make creating and maintaining that system a reality. The Nine Mile Run Watershed has been such a successful model over the past 20+ years because we grounded ourselves in innovation and the understanding that natural solutions are often the best. It was the constant in all our programming and allowed us to explore ways of working with and talking about water that changed people’s perspectives. As we grow and transform, we must maintain those same core principles while adding two new ones: collaboration and inclusion. We need to build whole systems programming, and for us that means taking a people-first approach to water. One where we acknowledge that no system thrives unless all parts of the system are allowed to thrive (people included). While we are still deep in the planning process, early 2024 will see us launch what we believe will be as new a model for watershed planning as NMRWA was. We want to create frameworks that can be used to inspire collaboration and inclusion of all people in Pittsburgh and beyond. It is only together, as one whole, living system that we will not just survive, but thrive in the face of the climate crisis. So, what do you say, are you ready to join us in this new vision? In solidarity,

Mike Hiller Executive Director UpstreamPgh

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Claudia Saladin Board President Senior Project Manager evolve environment::architecture Yvonne James Board Vice President Owner James Floral Ana Bennett, EIT Board Secretary Associate Project Manager Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority Robin Ryan, CPA Board Treasurer Senior Manager, Assurance Services Grossman Yanak and Ford Alex Ball Retired Engineer Westinghouse East Hills Stakeholder Tom Batroney, PE Senior Engineer HDR

Our Staff & Board

Fall 2023

Dan Cody Director of Leadership & Legacy Giving Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh

NaTisha Washington Communications Manager Breathe Project

Marion Divers, PhD, PG Community Planner U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

UPSTREAMPGH STAFF

Neoshe Jenkins Community Outreach & Intervention Specialist Center for Victims Adam Kidane, GISP GIS Asset Management Specialist, ALCOSAN Divya Rao Heffley, PhD Associate Director Office for Public Art Rayden Sorock Director of Community Projects Grow Pittsburgh Janis Tucker Senior Vice President, Enterprise Data Management, Program Management Office PNC Financial Services

Mike Hiller Executive Director Kelsey Small Chief Financial Officer Aaron Birdy Plan/Build Manager Leslie Centola Advocacy Manager Ryan Ferrebee Development Manager Keith Moore Ecosystems Program Assistant Taylor Wilkerson Communications & Operations Manager Shannon Bennett Controller Clover Bennett Consulting

Jump In & Join Us! Fall/Winter 2023 Events

Fall 2023 Stream Sweep Leaves are starting to fall into the stream, but that’s not all that’s making its way in there... It’s Fall Stream Sweep season again! Join us for a morning of honoring our home waterway by picking it free of trash and refuse, and then follow us over to 3 Rivers Outdoor Company for some discounted items, Brew Gentlemen beer, and well-earned rest by the campfire. This is a volunteer event and attendance is free.

Saturday October 21st 9:30am to 2:00pm

Fern Hollow Restoration Community Meeting

Wednesday

The results are in, and now it’s time to show you what we’re cooking up for the Fern Hollow Valley Restoration!

October 25th

Together with Neighborhood Allies’ Social Impact Design Program, we have taken your feedback and envisioned four potential intervention packages for the area. Now, we need you to tell us what you think! Join us for a community meeting on October 25th in Homewood and help us decide what’s next! This event is free and open to the public.

Wetland Walk w/ CEC & 3RoC Some scientists call wetlands “the kidneys of nature”. We heartily agree, and we want to tell you why. Wander into wetter parts of Frick Park with us and Professional Wetland Scientist Fritz Dubbs of the Civil Environmental Consultants to learn about what qualifies as a wetland, their crucial part in the water cycle, and more! After, we’ll relax at 3 Rivers Outdoor Company and raise a brew to our tiny swamps. This event is free, optional donations available online.

6:00pm to 8:00pm

Saturday November

11th 10:00am to 12:00pm

Giving Tuesday 2023

Tuesday

Move over Black Friday, it’s time for Giving Tuesday, the annual National Day of Giving, just in time for the winter holiday season.

November

Join UpstreamPgh throughout the day as we work off our turkey dinners in your email inboxes, on our social media channels, and of course on the official GiveBig Pittsburgh website as we head towards this year’s fundraising goal. We hope you’ll support us!

12:00am to 11:59pm

This day-long event is virtual with donations suggested.

Winter Holidays Party 2023 Cozy up next to the campfire with us as we bid goodbye to 2023 and gear up to say hello to 2024! Join us for a cup of holiday cheer at 3 Rivers Outdoor Company as we take over the storefront for our annual Winter Holidays Party! Catering will be provided, so be sure to bring a friend and prepare for some good food and good company to round out the year! This event is free and open to the public.

27th

Tuesday

December

5th 5:00pm to 8:00pm

See these events and more at:

www.upstreampgh.org/take-action/events

Partner with us in 2024! We’re already planning our events calendar for 2024, and we want to pencil you in! Are you an organization with a niche expertise in natural stewardship? An artist whose muse takes the form of foliage? A grassroots group who is fighting for climate change solutions? An educator who just really loves mushrooms? We want to join forces with all of you! Let us collaborate and bring your passions and causes to our base of supporters! Together, we can create more resilient, creative, and compassionate communities than we ever could alone. We cannot wait to build these wondrous experiences with you! Interested parties should reach out to Keith Moore, Programs Assistant at: keith@upstreampgh.org

Upstream & Beyond

Project & Programming Updates Completing and Celebrating our Wilkinsburg Rain Gardens written by Ryan Ferrebee

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, UpstreamPgh hosted its first-ever Community Block Party. Stakeholders, residents, and community members came out to celebrate the completion of Phase I of the Wilkinsburg Stormwater Resiliency Project (WSRP). Completed over the summer, this project took the one of the two largest surface lots on Wallace Avenue owned by the Borough of Wilkinsburg (and, incidentally, one of the largest stormwater runoff areas in the watershed) and outfitted it with bioswales, rain gardens, and sub-surface improvements. All told, these improvements to the Wallace lot should manage over 1,000,000 gallons of stormwater annually! Why does that matter? Capturing, retaining, cleaning and managing stormwater upstream means less stress on Combined Sewer Overflows that lead to poorer water quality downstream. Over time, and with more green infrastructure and improvements, this will sustain and enhance the Nine Mile Run stream restoration and reduce pollutants that make it into the Monongahela River. Healthier ecology contributes greatly to healthier communities, and this project is a big step forward for both! Primary funding for this project came from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener Initiative, with additional support from The Heinz Endowments, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, and The Colcom Foundation. The Community Block Party, attended by over 100 people, featured remarks from Senator Jay Costa, Executive Director Mike Hiller, Board Vice President Yvonne James, Wilkinsburg Council President Denise Edwards, and Wilkinsburg Councilwoman-elect NaTisha Washington. Beer was provided by Brew Gentlemen out of Braddock, PA, with Wilkinsburg’s own Chili Revival food truck on site. DJ Soulger of Homewood provided a great soundtrack for the afternoon, which also included lawn games, a children’s scavenger hunt, and wonderful connections with neighbors and friends. Sad you missed us? Please check our event listing regularly at www.upstreampgh.org/events and join us sometime! Event photography credit: G. Michael Beigay

Co-Developing the Environmental Justice Table written by Leslie Centola & Taylor Wilkerson

The region’s new Environmental Justice Table (EJT) has made significant strides this year. This spring, with funding from the Pittsburgh Foundation, UpstreamPgh brought on facilitator Fawn Walker-Montgomery of Take Action Advocacy Group. With Fawn’s guidance, the founding organizations, allies, and individuals started the work of defining the mission, vision, goals, and procedures for the EJT. This phase of work aims to build a strong organizational framework to pass along to those who will truly own and benefit from this entity: the residents of Allegheny County’s Environmental Justice communities. Once established, the steering committee will take on a support role, providing real resources to a resident coalition as they drive public-facing campaigns designed to achieve their collective goals. The EJT will work toward their mission of securing clean air and water for and with the Black, Indigenous, BIPOC, and Aborigine Americans in Allegheny County through two initial public campaigns: one focusing on Racial and Environmental Justice titled “Yes, Race Matters” and one focused on just, equitable access to clean drinking water titled “Why Can’t We Drink Our Water? (Water Is A Human Right)”. Initially these campaigns will launch in Environmental Justice communities where partner organizations already have roots. Canvassing and recruiting to inform and engage residents with the work of the Table will begin this Fall. We cannot wait to reach more people, gain deeper insight, and dive into solving the systemic issues of our local EJ communities. Want to sign on? Email Leslie Centola, Advocacy Manager at leslie@upstreampgh.org.

A Revitalized Urban EcoStewards- One Year Later written by Keith Moore

This last year has been one of revitalization and renewal for the Urban EcoStewards. Through hard work and collaboration, we’ve been able to recover our volunteer numbers back to pre-pandemic levels and complete some major projects throughout the upper and lower watershed! Our intrepid EcoStewards have been hard at work keeping Frick Park in tip-top shape this year! Focusing in the area served by the 2006 Nine Mile Run Aquatic Ecosystems Project and in the lower portion of the Fern Hollow Valley, a large portion of our effort has involved removing invasive plants. This is a year-round activity, as each month has its own non-native diva, from garlic mustard in March to mugwort in August. Next year, we’re hoping to increase the diversity of native species within the park, particularly around the streams. Our Upper Watershed focus has been the Swissvale/Hill rain garden, which was in some dire need of attention. This year, we have removed three dead trees, replaced them with seven new trees, and added two new flower gardens. To end out the year, we’re working on improving the soil health of the site, which involves smothering most of the grass that has started to grow at the site with cardboard, replacing it with a thick layer of wood chips and compost, and letting all that break down into nutrient-rich soil in the coming years. In the meantime, this garden’s native plants attract a good amount of urban biodiversity (with some of my favorite sightings being a highly endangered Golden Northern Bumblebee and a herd of young deer fawns). We hope these sites continue to be a haven for urban life for years to come.

Stewardship & Care

Innovations in Maintenance Stormwater Monitoring Reimagined written by Aaron Birdy

When we launched our Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Monitoring Program in 2015, our initial goal was to have internal performance data for our installations. However, ours were never meant to be the only eyes to see that data; the story it told was also meant to help communicate the benefit of these projects to our community and beyond. With funding in 2021 from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, a collaboration was formed between UpstreamPgh, Ethos Collaborative, and CivicMapper to establish a publicly accessible online dashboard that displayed stormwater capture data from monitoring equipment deployed at five of our GSI sites: Swissvale/Hill, Oakwood/Batavia, Maple Avenue, WSRP Wallace Avenue, and WSRP South Avenue sites. With Phase One completed in early 2022, this year, we have completed Phase Two of the project, which was the process of turning the raw data being collected into performance metrics easily digestible by the public. Continuing our work with Ethos and CivicMapper, we developed Storm Water Management Models (SWMM) for each site using real-time weather radar data and our GSI monitoring sensor data as inputs. These took the form of categories like “gallons of runoff intercepted” and “equivalent number of bathtubs intercepted” to give users context for results that could be in the billions of gallons if looked at system-wide. Our work on this project is far from complete. In addition to adding monitoring capacity to more of our GSI sites and linking them into the dashboard, we are also in the testing phase of a feature that will enable users to sign up for “rainy day” emails that notify them of detected precipitation at one of our sites. If you are interested in signing up for these test emails, or have an existing GSI installation that you would like to monitor, please contact me at aaron@upstreampgh.org. I cannot wait to see where this project takes us next!

Investing in Your Water

Opportunities to Contribute

A Healthy Watershed Begins with You written by Ryan Ferrebee

What’s the value of a dollar? Every donation we receive, whether it’s $1.00 or $1,000, goes into our critical work protecting and restoring watershed ecosystems and building a healthier urban environment for all. We hope you’ll consider joining our corps of donors this fall with as generous a gift as is possible. So far this year we’ve: •

Prevented over 3,319,790 of gallons of untreated stormwater runoff from contaminating our streams rivers

•

Worked on three (3) new, large-scale GSI sites, two of which are complete

•

Ensured the Fern Hollow Bridge restoration included public art, adequate planting, and multi-modal transportation

•

Fought hard against a proposed 8-story, 160 unit redevelopment on Park-zoned land

•

Worked alongside Neighborhood Allies to gather a community vision for the Fern Hollow Valley.

Scan to Donate

None of this would be possible without the support we receive from neighbors like you. If you’re already an UpstreamPgh donor, thank you! And if you aren’t, we’d be happy to welcome you aboard today! Scan the QR code provided to donate now. Or, if snail mail is more your speed, a remittance envelope is provided for your convenience.

Improve Water Quality with a Rain Barrel Today! written by Aaron Birdy

Scan to Shop

Be sure to catch all the autumn rain this year with an UpstreamPgh or Hydra rain barrel and don’t waste a single drop! Our tried and true UpstreamPgh barrels hold an impressive 133 gallons of rainwater and are made from 100% recycled plastic. Our innovative Hydra rain barrel holds 116 gallons of rainwater and is made to fit in tight spaces to make sure you still have room in your yard for that new vegetable garden you’ve been dreaming about. Every rain barrel sold helps to support our mission to improve water quality in our local streams and rivers and helps protect water quality in your local watershed. Scan the QR code on the right with your phone camera to order yours today! For questions regarding installation or whether a rain barrel is right for you reach out to our Plan/Build Manager Aaron at aaron@upstreampgh.org.

A Word from Our Sponsors Sponsor Advertisements

A Big Thank You

2023 Institutional Supporters

2023 INSITITUTIONAL SUPPORTERS

MATCHING GIFTS

3 Rivers Quality GAPS Assistance Google American Eagle Outfitters Foundation Bank of America Foundation IN-KIND DONATIONS* Colcom Foundation 3 Rivers Outdoor Company Dylan Todd Simonds Foundation Brew Gentlemen Frick Educational Fund of the Buhl Foundation The Braddock Carnegie Library Gammarus Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation C.C. Mellor Memorial Library Grable Foundation C.C. Mellor Memorial Library Forest Hills Branch Heinz Endowments Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale Henry John Simonds Foundation Civil and Environmental Consultants Laurel Foundation Cool Hand Carpentry and Landscaping Nine Mile Run Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation The Edgewood Club Patagonia- Pittsburgh Field Environmental Instruments, Inc. Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Greater Wilkinsburg Community Advancement Pittsburgh Foundation Association Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Nancy’s Chili Revival Development- Commonwealth Finance Authority TestAmerica Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Wilkinsburg Penn Joint Water Authority PA Council on the Arts- Creative Communities Wilkinsburg Public Library PNC Charitable Trust Richard King Mellon Foundation Rita M. McGinley of the Pittsburgh Foundation Three Rivers Community Foundation *In-Kind denotes donations of items, equipment, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy services, time, or software to the organization

Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 23

321 Pennwood Avenue Suite 202 Pittsburgh, PA 15221

@upstreampgh