Pittsburgh

Description: Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States. The population of the city in 2010 was 305,704, while that of the seven-county metropolitan area stood at 2,356,285. Pittsburgh is known colloquially as "The City of Bridges" and "The Steel City" for its many bridges and former steel manufacturing base. Pittsburgh lies in the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers as they merge into the Ohio River.

While the city is historically known for its steel industry, the downturn of the steel industry and exportation of manufacturing left virtually no steel mills within the region.Today Pittsburgh's economy is largely based on healthcare, education, technology, robotics, and financial services.

Why We Are Here: There are two major pollution problems that significantly reduce the quality of life. The first, air pollution, in the form of PM2.5 and ground-level ozone, causes respiratory ailments and likely influences premature death. Secondly, water pollution, especially bacterial contamination during wet weather events, and rapidly expanding threats resulting from Marcellus Shale gas drilling operations decreases the quality of drinking water and restricts the opportunities for recreation in the otherwise beautiful rivers.

In addition, the social fabric of neighborhoods strains to cope with a twin epidemics of violence and lack of opportunities for economic advancement.

We believe that by engaging and supporting youth as leaders in their neighborhoods now, they will guide Pittsburgh to a more prosperous and equitable future.

Demographics: Unfortunately very significant disparities exist along racial lines in the City of Pittsburgh. Correspondingly, the population is very segregated and community health, economic, and educational attainment indicators show gaps across the board. Against these barriers, the African American population of Pittsburgh has been extraordinarily resilient, continuing to forge a very rich history. More information on the disparities can be found at PITT's Center for Race and Social Problems.

RAND researchers conducted a study of five-year graduation rates from Pittsburgh Public Schools. The study demonstrated that there was a significant gap between students of color and white students. Only 58 percent of black students graduated after 5 years; whereas the rate was 70 percent for non-black students.

What We Are Doing: We are using a community-based approach to integrate environmental problem solving into both school and out-of-school programs.

Earth Force History in this Community: Earth Force has a long history in the Pittsburgh region. Thanks in large part to the leadership of the Heinz Endowments, we have been doing programs here since 2000.

Number of Youth: 250

Number of Educators: 10

Participating Partners:

Program Partners:

Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, Black & Gold City Goes Green

Environmental Charter School at Frick

The Kingsley Association

Operation Better Block

Propel School District

Resource Partners

ALCOSAN: Allegheny County Sanitation

Conservation Consultants, Inc

Growth Through Energy and Health

Nine Mile Run Watershed Association

Pennsylvania Resources Council

Participating School Districts:

Pittsburgh Public Schools

Propel School District

Diocese of Pittsburgh (Sr. Thea Bowman, an Extra Mile School)

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