Volunteer opportunities can make every day ‘Earth Day’

It’s Earth Day, and millions of people across the globe are spreading the word about ways to make the planet better, healthier and cleaner.

That includes tons of initiatives right here in the Pittsburgh area, and most of them happen throughout the year, not just on Earth Day.

Here are just a few ways you can get involved.

Erin Gaughan of Tree Pittsburgh stands in the nursery of the nonprofit’s Lawrenceville site. (TribLive)

Tree Pittsburgh

This city-based nonprofit works to grow and renew urban forests. That includes transplanting thousands of seedlings each year, and they can always use some help.

Tree Pittsburgh’s Heritage Nursery, at 32 62nd Street, will host a volunteer day on April 29. Volunteers can sign up for a shift from 9 a.m. to noon, or from 1-3 p.m., where they will gather around the group’s potting benches and transplant homegrown seeds into their individual containers.

Their efforts have resulted in more than 25,000 trees being planted over the years in Allegheny County.

For more, see TreePittsburgh.org and click on the “Events” link.

Daniel Bitano and his son, Ethan clean around the Monroeville Library with members of Boy Scout Troop 143 during the annual Jack Sedlak Memorial Clean-up Day. (Submitted photo)

Jack Sedlak Memorial Clean-Up Day

In Monroeville, the annual clean-up day started more than 30 years ago by local resident Jack Sedlak will take place across the municipality. Groups of volunteers can sign up, choose a stretch of road and get to work. Supplies are provided by Monroeville and PennDOT.

The clean-up will take place 9-11 a.m. April 25 throughout Monroeville. An appreciation picnic will follow in Monroeville Park West at 2399 Tilbrook Road, with food, entertainment and raffle prizes.

For more, or to register, call 412-856-1006.

Volunteers pick up litter along Verona Road in Penn Hills. (Submitted photo)

Pick Up PA

The nationwide Keep America Beautiful initiative has branches in all 50 states, encouraging people to organize their own volunteer clean-up efforts.

Now through May 31, residents can register to be part of the Great American Clean-Up and receive free supplies including gloves, safety vests and trash bags. Donated landfill space for trash is also available through the end of April.

Register a group and organize an event at KeepPABeautiful.org/programs/pick-up-pa.

Pia van de Venne and Bill Davis work to remove invasive plants from Duff Park in Murrysville. (TribLive)

Park “friends”

Many parks throughout Western Pennsylvania have volunteer groups which organize regular events to keep them clean and healthy.

In Murrysville the Friends of Murrysville Parks has been working for decades to maintain the municipality’s parks and to clear out invasive species. Volunteers can adopt a trail to keep clear of branches and clean of trash, they can join larger groups to clear out invasives like multiflora rose and knotweed, or they can work with Friends members and paid workers to remove fallen trees from park trails, install water bars, repair ruts created by erosion and more.

For more on the Murrysville group, see FriendsOfMurrysvilleParks.org/volunteers or call 724-733-2770. For more in your area, check with your local parks department.

Seedlings await planting. (TribLive)

Native plant nursery days

The Audubon Society has a 121-year-history of dedication to nature and conservation efforts.

In the Pittsburgh area, the society’s Western Pennsylvania branch hosts weekly “Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Days,” where volunteers can help transplant seedlings, water plants or sow seed.

The volunteer sessions take place every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the society’s Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville Road in Fox Chapel.

For more, see ASWP.org or call 412-963-6100.