Green Archive

Growing up in Somerset County, I fondly remember the excitement of fair season in late August. The rides, the animals, the exhibits, the greasy food and cotton candy; it was one of the trademarks of the beginning of autumn. Those fairs, of course, were the products of an agricultural economy. Yesterday (08/14) at Hartwood Acres, Allgheny County debuted a new fair — the product of a new economy, a green economy — dubbed the Green + Innovation Festival.

“The free event celebrated Allegheny County’s evolution to a green economy and featured ways for residents to become more sustainable in their everyday lives. The festival was a zero-waste event and included earth-friendly food and product vendors, crafters, green living demonstrations, musical entertainment, and children’s activities.” (See the complete press release via Allegheny County: http://www.alleghenycounty.us/news/2010/20100810.aspx; see also: http://www.alleghenycounty.us/greenfestival/)

See these pics on OTV’s Flickr Photostream.

Gaining momentum and becoming more mainstream, it was amazing to see so many eco-minded individuals in one place — both vendors as well as visitors. Walking through the exhibit booths, I had really great conversations with most of the vendors; making quality connections for other groups and initiatives that I’m involved in with a green focus. Perhaps another testament of the Pittsburgh community spirit, everyone I met was very friendly, approachable and down-to-earth and willing to share about being green in everyday ways; making it a less overwhelming, more attainable transition/goal.

The festival provided a snapshot of the locally grown groups and NPOs that represent this eco-niche. And, it was only a selection of all those in Pgh who are working to advocate sustainable living: creating awareness for the need and providing practical, easy ways to begin implementing a greener lifestyle.

If you missed it, check out all those represented either online or in person. (The vendor list below is via the Green Festival’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ACGreenFest)

• 3 Rivers Wet Weather – http://www.3riverswetweather.org
• Active Allegheny – http://www.activeallegheny.com/
• Allegheny County Health Department – http://www.achd.net/
• Allegheny County Library Association – http://www.aclalibraries.org/
• Allegheny Land Trust – http://www.alleghenylandtrust.org/
• Animal Friends – http://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/site/PageServer
• Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley – http://www.animalprotectors.net/
• ARL Wildlife Rehab League – http://www.animalrescue.org/
• Audubon Society of Western PA – http://www.aswp.org/
• Black and Gold goes Green – http://www.theblackandgoldcitygoesgreen.com/
• Burns and Scalos Roofing – http://www.burns-scalo.com/roofing/new-site/
• California University of Pennsylvania – http://www.calu.edu/
• Carnegie Mellon University – http://www.cmu.edu/index.shtml
• Carnegie Science Center – http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/
• Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh – http://www.pittsburghkids.org/
• The Class Clown
• Colteryahn Dairy – http://www.colteryahndairy.com/
• Community Design Center of Pittsburgh – http://www.cdcp.org/
• Conservation Consultant Inc. – http://www.ccicenter.org/
• Duquesne Light – http://www.duquesnelight.com/
• Eisler Landscape – http://eislerlandscapes.com/
• Equita – http://www.shopequita.com/
• Etna Economic Development Corporation – http://www.etnaborough.org/edc.htm
• Fresh Heirlooms – http://www.freshheirlooms.com/
• Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest – http://www.pittsburghforest.org/
• Friends of the Riverfront – http://www.friendsoftheriverfront.org/
• Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank – http://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/
• Gredja Electric LLC
• Green Burial Pittsburgh – http://www.greenburialpittsburgh.org/
• Green Gears Pedicabs – http://www.greengearspedicabs.com/
• Gtech Strategies – http://gtechstrategies.org/
• Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh – http://pittsburghyogacenters.com/
• I Made It! Market – http://imadeitmarket.com/
• Kova Enterprises
• Nature Center
• Nine Mile Run Watershed – http://www.ninemilerun.org/
• North Area Environmental Council – http://naecwpa.org/
• Octopus Organic Gardening – http://www.octopusorganic.com/
• P&C Replacement Windows – http://www.pcrwindows.com/
• Passports: Art Diversity Project – http://passportsart.blogspot.com/
• Penn State University – http://www.psu.edu/
• Pennsylvania Environmental Council – http://www.pecpa.org/
• Pennsylvania Resource Council – http://www.prc.org/
• Phipps Conservatory – http://phipps.conservatory.org/
• Pittsburgh Botanic Garden – http://www.pittsburghbotanicgarden.org/
• Pittsburgh Poison Center – http://www.upmc.com/Services/poisoncenter/Pages/default.aspx
• Pittsburgh Poultry Association – http://www.pittsburghpoultry.com/
• Pittsburgh Public Schools – http://www.pghboe.net/
• Pure Screenprinting – http://www.puresp.com/
• Rachel Carson Homestead – http://www.rachelcarsonhomestead.org/
• Replay My Play – http://www.replaymyplay.com/
• Reuseapalooza
• River Quest – http://www.riverquest.org/
• Southwestern PA Commuteinfo Program – http://www.commuteinfo.org/
• Think Smart Insulation – http://www.thinksmartinsulationllc.com/
• Underwood Solar Future, LLC – http://www.underwoodsolarfuture.com/
• usLEDsupply – http://www.usledsupply.com/
• Vox Energy Solutions – http://www.voxenergysolutions.com/
• West Penn Energy Solutions – http://www.westpennenergysolutions.com/
• Wild World of Animals – http://www.wildworldofanimals.org/
• Women for a Healthy Environment – http://www.womenforahealthyenvironment.org/
• Zip Cars – http://www.zipcar.com/
• Also a big thanks to our sponsors: KDKA (http://kdka.com/) and WYEP (http://www.wyep.org/)!