The RiverQuest Board of Directors, led by Board Chairman Jim Roddey, announced recently that Mr. Gerry Balbier has been appointed as the new Executive Director.

Mr. Balbier replaces Paul King, who was recently appointed President of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council after serving as RiverQuest's director for three years.  Mr. King has joined RiverQuest’s Board of Directors.

“In 1995, soon after I moved to Pittsburgh, my first experience on the three rivers was a trip on the original Pittsburgh Voyager," says Balbier. "That experience created a connection to the rivers that has only grown stronger 17 years later. I am joining a team that is committed to connecting children and youth to their environment and helping us all become better stewards of our natural resources. My role will be to continue RiverQuest’s success in making river science education an adventure and will work with our board of directors to develop new sources of revenue. We will also continue to reduce the environmental footprint of our vessel Explorer, one of the first green passenger boats in the world.”

Click here to read more about Mr. Balbier online at RiverQuest.org.

RiverQuest School Programs

RiverQuest will round out its 16th year of operation this spring with thousands of students coming aboard to study Environmental Science on the Three Rivers, as well as our newest offering, Marcellus Shale + River Ecosystems.  Registrations for Fall 2012 begin soon!

RiverQuest Outreach Programs

RQ's RiverTales classroom programs include anew offering sponsored by PA Department of Environmental Protection and EQT Foundation: Exploring Marcellus Shale. This informational program explores the opportunities and challenges presented by the gas shale industry in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It available to schools and community groups at no cost. Click here to learn more about this opportunity.

RiverQuest Afterschool Programs

Afterschool programs that explore fascinating subjects like freshwater ecology,

biodiversity, bridge engineering, and Marcellus shale activity are available April through November.  Scholarships are available. Call RiverQuest at 412-231-2712 for information.

RiverQuest Saturday Sails

Saturday Sails are family-friendly one-hour tours that feature hands-on river ecology activities.  New this year is an often-requested narration about Pittsburgh points of interest along the route.  Tickets are available on sail days at the main ticket counter of Carnegie Science Center, beginning Saturday, May 5.  Click here for details!

Summer Camps

RiverQuest offers two popular week-long daycamps: Angler's Adventure, a fishing themed camp for kids age 7-12, and River Camp with RiverQuest and Carnegie Science Center, a science and ecology camp for ages 8-12.  Also this summer, RiverQuest hosts the 5th Annual Bayer Climate Fellows Sustainability Camp, sponsored by Bayer USA Foundation and Bayer Science & Education Foundation.  Click here for details!