The Pittsburgh Foundation will hold its 2012 Day of Giving on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 from 12:00 am until 11:59 pm. All donations made to RiverQuest at PittsburghGives.org during that 24-hour period will receive a pro-rated portion of a match pool of funds, based on all donations received online during the Day of Giving event.

Only MasterCard and Visa donations received through PittsburghGives.org during the 24 hours of October 3 will be matched for this event.   The minimum gift is $25.  The maximum gift an individual can give per organization is $10,000.  Your gift of any size will help RiverQuest continue the mission to connect people to the environment by way of Pittsburgh's beautiful rivers.  This year we will serve over 8,000 students on EXPLORER.

Please mark your calendar for this year's Day of Giving on Wednesday, October 3rd

and your donation will go even further towards making a difference. Thanks in advance for your support!

Click here to learn more about The 2012 Day of Giving.

RQ's school-site RiverTales classroom programs include an offering sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and EQT Foundation: Exploring Marcellus Shale. This unbiased informational program explores both the opportunities and challenges presented by the gas shale industry in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It is available to community groups and schools at no cost; some restrictions apply. Click here to learn more about this opportunity, or call 412-231-2712 to book a program. 

Click here for more information about RiverQuest's position on teaching students

about the Marcellus Shale gas industry in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Registration is open for Spring 2013 school programs including Environmental Science on the Three Rivers,  Environment, Energy & Economy, and our newest offering, Marcellus Shale + River Ecosystems.  Some scholarship support is available for eligible schools. 

Call us at 412-231-2712 to learn more about opportunities for your school. 

Saturday Sails are family-friendly one-hour tours that feature hands-on river ecology activities, including a look at the basics of Marcellus shale gas drilling -- from the opportunities to the challenges.  Saturday Sails on and after October 13th feature views of our river valleys ablaze in fiery fall colors and provide an opportunity to discover the beauty and science of autumn leaves.  Tickets for Saturday Sails are available on sail dates at the main ticket counter of Carnegie Science Center.

Click here to see the sail dates and a schedule of departure times!

11th and 12th grade classes can join RiverQuest and other waterways organizations for the Waterways Association of Pittsburgh's free career education event "Who Works the Rivers." The event sails on the Gateway Clipper Fleet on October 23, 9:30 - 11:30am.   Participants meet representatives from waterways industries to learn about the wide variety of jobs and careers that make up this important industry. 

RiverQuest is proud to be part of the MSC 3 Rivers Challenge, a fishing tournament featuring 14 FLW Pro-Anglers squaring off in a bass & walleye competition. The event also features the following North Shore Activities:

• Pro-Am Tournament - Friday, September 28, 1:15 - 6 pm
• Charity Pro Event - Saturday, September 29, 1:15 - 6 pm
• Weigh-In Stage - Watch the weigh-ins both days at 6 pm
• RiverQuest Hands-On Science Activities - Noon - 7 pm both days staffed by RiverQuest Environmental Educators on the Riverwalk
• Family Fishing Outing - Saturday, Sept. 29, 10:00 am-2:00 pm. The first 300 kids (age 15 and under) that sign up receive a free rod and reel.

Click here to view the official homepage for the MSC 3 Rivers Challenge.

RiverQuest's Board of Directors has been instrumental in providing effective governance and fundraising capacity while maintaining the organization on a clear and sustainable path.  In June, six new board members were appointed: an accomplished and experienced group whose talent and enthusiasm will carry our organization forward for a successful 2012 and beyond.  Welcome aboard!

• Stephen E. Cropper, Chief Meteorologist, WPXI-TV

• John T. Hines, Government Relations Advisor, Shell Oil Company

• Robert Jones, President & CEO, IngoodCompany, LLC

• Susan E. Maloney, CPA, ParenteBeard, LLC

• Bridget McCourt, Community Relations Manager, LANXESS Corporation
• Tom Risley, Director of Energy Programs, Life Cycle Engineering

You are invited to an Open House/Wine and Cheese Reception

on board RiverQuest's environmental education vessel EXPLORER. 

WHERE: RiverQuest EXPLORER at the dock near Carnegie Science Center

WHEN: Thursday, November 8, 2012, 4:00 - 7:00 pm

RiverQuest is proud to work with our region's future scientists, inventors and stewards of earth, as we provide experiential science programs that serve over 8,000 students (K-12) per year.   Join us at the dock this evening:

• to better understand RiverQuest's vital role in linking people of all ages to STEM-based educational opportunities along our region's waterways. 

• to celebrate environmental stewardship along with us and learn how you can strengthen the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education that is so critical to Pennsylvania businesses now and in the future

• and to enter our drawing for free Saturday Sail Tickets good for the 2013 sailing season! 

Parking for this event is available in parking lots around Carnegie Science Center at One Allegheny Avenue on the North Shore, where RiverQuest EXPLORER is docked. There is a charge to park. 

Please RSVP by Monday, October 29 to Shayna Pitt, Director of Development 412-231-2712 x22 or shaynapitt@riverquest.org