Urban EcoStewards

The Urban EcoStewards is a collaborative program to increase public awareness of urban ecology and biodiversity and to involve citizens in stewardship of the urban landscape. Urban EcoStewards are citizens trained to monitor and maintain existing green spaces in the region.

NMRWA, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Frick Environmental Center, and Civil & Environmental Consultants, provides training for citizens who commit to becoming long term stewards of existing green space in the Nine Mile Run stream valley in Frick Park. Trainings include invasive plant identification and control, as well as site assessment and data collection methods.

NMRWA then provides regular field support for small teams of Urban EcoStewards who commit to becoming long-term stewards of a small area within the stream valley. Information gathered by Urban EcoStewards is used to make management decisions for the area.

NOTE: Due to the Laborers Union Local 1058 refusal to allow volunteer work in the city parks, the Urban EcoSteward program has been temporarily suspended. We will continue to offer public workshops on invasive species identification and control next spring.

Even if you are not a formal Urban EcoSteward, you have everyday opportunities to be a steward of our watershed environment. Some things you can do include:

• Using native plants in your garden.
• Reducing your use of lawn fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides.
• Removing litter from your neighborhood.