Two Summer Programs With Candy DeBerry!

Dr. Candy DeBerry, Associate Professor of Biology at Washington and Jefferson College, returns to the Peters Township Public Library to present two free programs focusing on pollination in gardening.

Programs to be offered by Dr. DeBerry include:
“Plant Sex: How The Birds and the Bees Are Responsible for One-Third of the Food You Eat (and What You Can Do to Help Them)” on Thursday, July 28 at 7 p.m. will explain what pollination is, why it is important, which animals pollinate plants, and how your garden can support pollinators. Register online to attend or at the library's circulation desk.

“Plants for the Pollinator Garden” will be offered on Thursday, August 25 at 7 p.m. What brings joy to your garden? Hummingbirds darting among the blossoms? Butterflies flittering above the flowers? The deep drone of busy bumblebees? Bumper crops of tomatoes, squash, raspberries and watermelon? The secret to obtaining all of these will be revealed in this workshop - the very best plants to grow to attract pollinators. Register online to attend or at the library's circulation desk.

These programs are sponsored by the library's GO Green Club.

"Pennsylvania's leading industry – agriculture – is dependent on the work of insects that pollinate 80 percent of the world's crops," explains Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture George Greig. "One-third of the food we eat is a direct result of pollination, so it is critical to remind all citizens they can and should play a role in protecting declining pollinator populations that set fruit and produce seeds for the future."

Candy DeBerry is an associate professor in the Department of Biology and faculty advisor to Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society. She is also a member of the Biochemistry Steering Committee. She regularly teaches general biology, freshman cell biology workshop, cell biology, biochemistry, biochemistry seminar, and experimental biology. Dr. DeBerry is also passionate about ecological gardening, and her property is certified as Backyard Wildlife Habitat #48,3330 by the National Wildlife Federation and listed as a Bird Habitat by the Audubon Society of Pennsylvania.

Recycle your empty ink cartridges at the library!

Did you know in North America, over 350 million cartridges are thrown out each year, and it can take as long as 450 years for a cartridge to decompose in a landfill?

Bring your empty ink jet or laser cartridges to the library and drop them in the blue and yellow Cartridge World collection box in the main lobby. The library will receive a small cash award for each name-brand cartridge that is collected. Do something good for your community and your library!

Peters Township - We need to step-up our game!

In case you were not aware, there is a recycling competition going on in our area! Ten South Hills communities are taking part in the competition: Mt. Lebanon, Scott, Peters, Dormont, Upper St. Clair, Brentwood, Pleasant Hills, Baldwin, South Park and Jefferson Hills.

Read more about the contest in this article from the Post-Gazette!

We are looking for volunteers to help at Community Day this Saturday, June 25! We will be directing Community Day visitors to special bins that will be collecting recycleables that day and educating the community about how they can recycle materials from home everyday. Please email us if you can help for an hour or two on Saturday!

Going Solar in Peters Township

Thinking about solar panels for your home? This article from the Observer-Reporter discusses two families in Peters Township that have installed solar panels at their home and the benefits they are reaping as a result!

Hard to Recycle Collection on Saturday, June 11

In case you missed the Hard to Recycle Collection at Steel City Harley Davidson, the next Hard to Recycle collection is being held Saturday, June 11th at the parking lot of Mall at Robinson. See the attached event flyer for more details. Thanks, Jennifer, for forwarding the information to us!