RiverQuest observes World Environment Day this April through June, with new Saturday public sails ticketed through Carnegie Science Center. Come aboard to discover biodiversity and the complex relationship between humans and nature. Learn about current ecological issues and why "Water Matters!" Tickets this spring are $6 per person, and a special discount is available for members of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.

On World Environment Day, Saturday June 5, Explorer will be parked at our dock near Carnegie Science Center and open for special free World Environment Day activities from 10:00am through 3:00pm, sponsored by LANXESS.

The Black and Gold City Goes Green campaign is the action plan of the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative. It seeks to raise awareness and engage Pittsburgh's residents, businesses, government and universities in taking concrete actions that will reduce carbon dioxide pollution in measurable ways.  Each month of the campaign features a home-friendly and easy-to-follow way to reduce the use of energy and other natural resources... and to save money.

This spring, the campaign is proud to be part of the World Environment Day Partnership and to offer actions from April to June that save water as well as energy. Current total reduction reported since March 2009: 1,982,597 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. You can participate as an individual, or with an organization!

It's time to schedule school programs for 2010-11. Call early for the best choice of fall 2010 and spring 2011 school field trip dates, and to find out about our special half-price weeks in September and March!

Don't miss out on camper favorites!  Registration is open for

• Mini Minnows Days - special 2-day sessions for ages 5-6 w/adult
• Angler's Adventure - popular camp that features fishing for ages 7-12
• RiverCamp w/ Carnegie Science Center  for ages 8-12

Last time, we asked:

What amount of rainfall is equivalent to 1 foot of snow?

The answer: 1 inch, depending upon the consistency and "wetness" of the snow.  Ice crystals take up more space than the water molecules that comprise them; snowflakes can encompass quite a bit of "empty space" and trap air as they fall and accumulate on the ground.  The fluffier the snow, the deeper it piles up! 

This month's Question:

Recycling and reuse can reduce the amount of material that is deposited in landfills. This can waste otherwise useable resources. Landfills can have negative impacts on water quality.

What Pittsburgh-area nonprofit specializes in the reuse of used and surplus building materials?

The answer next time!