As Pennsylvania digs out from the big winter snowstorm, I find myself thinking about the connections that keep us safe, healthy, and resilient — connections between neighbors, between our daily choices and the planet’s health, and between the things we own and the care they deserve. These connections are at the heart of everything we do at PRC, and I’m excited to share our spring 2026 workshop lineup with you.
My favorite part of leading workshops is witnessing the knowledge exchange that happens in the room. Participants share gardening tips, troubleshoot their compost bins together, and swap stories about creative reuse projects. Last year, someone donated an old rain barrel, and we connected them with another workshop participant who had been searching for one. These moments highlight that sustainability isn’t about perfect individual action — it’s about building networks of care and sharing resources so everyone can thrive.
When I help someone extend the life of a rain barrel or pass along a composting technique I learned from a previous participant, I’m honoring all the effort and resources that went into creating these solutions in the first place. Reduce, reuse, recycle isn’t a trend — it’s a practice of respect for our materials, our community, and our shared home. Every workshop strengthens because of what we learn from each other, and every question you bring helps me discover new resources to share with future groups.
Join us this spring for:
- Watersheds & Rain Barrels Workshops Learn how your yard can protect local waterways while conserving water
- Backyard Composting Workshops Turn food scraps into garden gold and keep organic waste out of landfills
- Custom Workshops Reach out if your organization wants a workshop on reuse, zero waste, DIY party kits, or waste & watersheds
Resources to explore and share between workshops:
- dive into Pittsburgh’s composting resources
- discover recycling options across Southwest PA
- find repair services for electronics and textiles
- get creative with food waste reduction
- reach out for technical assistance on waste audits, zero waste events, school waste diversion, and more
I encourage you to bring your stories, your questions, and your curiosity to our workshops. And if you have items to pass along or knowledge to share, your community is waiting to connect with you. Let’s honor our connections and make 2026 a year of meaningful action together.
MEET PRC ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR LAURA BLOOD
On a day-to-day basis, Laura helps people of all ages learn to steward resources to prevent waste and conserve the environment. In the classroom and in the field, she teaches school students about a variety of topics ranging from waste reduction and recycling to environmental health and watershed protection. In-person and online, she teaches adults how to protect vital resources by taking action in their lives and in and around their homes. In her free time, Laura enjoys hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, zip lining, sewing/crafting, native landscaping, pistol shrimp and bladderworts.
