The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Park management and maintenance: this service program provides expertise in preserving and maintaining historical landscapes. Natural areas management, horticulture and ecological restoration, project management and outreach. The ppc staff works with the city's department of public works (dpw) to create scope of work based on the regional parks master plan. The work includes ecological research projects such as the study of the genetic diversity of tree populations, the impact of deer on urban parkland and on the organic chemical compounds that trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants exude to inhibit the growth of the neighboring plant species.

Public education and programs: this service program's intent is to increase the public's knowledge about the parks, their natural and environmental history, ecology, social history, and design so that pittsburghers of all ages, especially children, will increase their understanding and appreciation of these spaces. Ppc provides a variety of programs to introduce pittsburgh residents to the benefits of these great historic urban parks. In addition, environmental research studies are underway that will benefit both pittsburgh-area ecological restoration and national ecological and horticultural efforts. Ppc also sponsors educational symposia with partners featuring nationally recognized leaders in the fields of the environment, biodiversity, conservation, parks restoration, and urban ecology to better inform the public about serious issues facing the parks and the region. Ppc's goal in the long term is to develop the next generation of park stewards.

Parks planning: this service area's intent is to initiate community projects from the conceptual stage through the development stage. The parks planning team has a strong community process area and partners with like-minded organizations for the advancement of shared goals. Additionally, the team seeks out the input of neighborhood and community based organizations. Thoughtful investment is a key tenant to the parks planning philosophy. This team manages relationships with elected and appointed officials, contracted government affairs representatives, and community representatives. Part of the planning process is identifying and maintaining institutional support from government and foundations.