ReEnergize Program The goal of ReEnergize Pittsburgh was to increase the demand for energy efficiency services in Allegheny County. Starting in 2011, the ReEnergize Pgh program consisted of both a Coalition of service and utility providers and government agencies addressing policy issues and programming directly in communities. 2014-2015 Energy Efficiency Outreach Ambassador Program The 2014-2015 ReEnergize Pgh Ambassador Program took place in four communities, Hazelwood, Homewood, Millvale and Uptown. With a team of three ambassadors in each community serving as outreach coordinators, educators, and…Read More
Biochar Research CONTEXT In 2014, with the help of the Sprout Fund and the Garden Club of Allegheny County, GTECH researched potential uses of knotweed, the invasive plant taking over many vacant lots in Pittsburgh. The Knot on Lots project included a study of knotweed biochar, that is, a nutrient-rich soil amendment made from burning knotweed. We learned through that project that knotweed biochar can be made at a low cost using materials found at your local hardware store. GTECH, along with…Read More
Greenspace Alliance Grounded Strategies is a member of the Pittsburgh Greenspace Alliance, an affiliation of non-profit organizations working on greenspace issues in and around the Pittsburgh area. Greenspace consists of parks, trails, and natural areas used for recreational or aesthetic purposes with benefits to environment, economy, and human health. The Greenspace Alliance comes together to address issues related to protecting, preserving, adding, and programming greenspace across Allegheny County. During monthly meetings, the whole group comes together to discuss progress being made in each of the…Read More
Junior Ambassador Curriculum We created a Junior Ambassador curriculum to give youth in Pittsburgh the opportunity to transform vacant lots in their neighborhoods into well-loved spaces. The curriculum contains three modules, each suitable for a year-long program. What’s the context? In 2014, GTECH published a report called Youth in Green detailing the geographic gaps in environmental programming for youth in Pittsburgh. One finding of this report was that places with more vacant lots have less environmental programs for kids, and less youth programs in…Read More