An innovative project studies urban insect biodiversity
Isabelle Betancourt fished bugs out of Swann Fountain three times a week. | Photos by Jen Britton
"Most of the things I catch are drowning or dead,” says Isabelle Betancourt, curatorial assistant of Entomology at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, as we stood next to Swann Fountain
The Latest
Venice Island's underground basin can temporarily store up to four million gallons of stormwater runoff. | Photos courtesy The Philadelphia Water Department
In the works for the better part of a decade, Venice Island opened in early October. The five-acre site is sandwiched between the Lock and Cotton Street bridges in Manayunk, and lies downhill of
1 min read
Library activist engages her community with an award-winning garden
Sheila Washington joined Friends of the Haddington Library after protesting to save it from closure in 2008. | Photo by Jared Gruenwald
On a typical Saturday morning, Sheila Washington can be found in the garden at the Haddington Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, watering flowers and
2 mins read
In South Kensington, La Finquita farm offers gardening workshops to locals of all ages.
You don’t have to travel far from the city to find sprawling acres of fresh, homegrown produce
Philadelphia local communities have cultivated bountiful urban farms, most just a SEPTA ride away. Innovative agricultural ventures from Chestnut Hill to Kensington to South Philadelphia are
5 mins read
Many of us know the struggle between balancing life and work and everything in between. Is it possible to find connections in nature and free time while living in a bustling city?
This week, author William Powers will talk about his new book, New Slow City: Living Simply in the World's Fastest City, which details his goal of living in New
1 min read
Compostable materials constitute approximately 23 percent of Philadelphia's waste composition. In the absence of a citywide food waste recycling program, all food waste is sent to the landfill. RecycleNOW Philadelphia says this is a missed opportunity because composting would help the city fulfill RecycleNOW’s zero waste vision and it could spur local, sustainable development. It’s a
More1 min read
Interested in finding out more about solar power in Philadelphia? Solar Philly, a new program by the Sustainable Business Network, Clean Air Council and local solar installers Solar States and Exact Solar, looks to connect Philadelphia homeowners and a city-wide coalition of community organizers to reduce the cost of going solar and to meet the city’s solar energy goals outlined in
More1 min read
The first city-approved pumptrack has been welcomed by many. | Photo by ThomCarrollPhoto.com / PhillyPedals.com Cyclists of all ages and skill levels now have a new destination for fun and fitness. The Philadelphia Pumptrack in West Philadelphia officially opened May 10, and has been a popular spot for those looking to take on the rolling
More1 min read
Dilworth Park was designed to allow stormwater to be collected, filtered and reused for irrigation, eliminating the need for potable water. | Photo by Sahar Coston-Hardy for OLIN After seven years, Dilworth Park (formerly Dilworth Plaza) reopened in September. Looking to reestablish William Penn’s original Center Square, the $55 million revamp features a fountain, café, large
More1 min read
The continuation of the Office of Sustainability will be up to voters on Nov. 4 | Photos by Albert Lee
This Election Day, voters will decide whether Philadelphia's Office of Sustainability Will Stay or Go
When Philadelphians head to the polls on Tuesday on Nov. 4, they'll likely have their minds made up about whether they're pulling
4 mins read