What if hiking your neighborhood could help shape the future of Pittsburgh’s water, forests, and green spaces?
This year, residents, hikers, students, and curious neighbors are invited to do exactly that through the Negley Run Watershed Ambassador Program—a new community initiative connecting people with the landscape, infrastructure, and history of one of Pittsburgh’s most fascinating watersheds.
Participants will explore the streams, hillsides, parks, and neighborhoods that make up the Negley Run watershed while working alongside local organizations and environmental leaders.
Whether you attend a single hike or become a full Ambassador, the goal is simple:
build a community that understands and cares for the watershed we share.
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What Is a Watershed Ambassador?
Watershed Ambassadors are community members who want to learn, explore, and take part in shaping the future of their neighborhood environment.
Throughout the year participants can:
• Join guided hikes through parks, forests, and stream corridors
• Learn how Pittsburgh’s water infrastructure works
• Explore urban forestry and restoration projects
• Connect with neighborhood groups and environmental organizations
• Share reflections through stories, photos, or creative projects
Participants who attend at least seven events across the season can earn:
• Digital badges and certificates
• Recognition at the September Watershed Showcase
• Eligibility for small stipends or gift cards
• Opportunities to mentor or participate in future programs
In short: learn, explore, and help lead the conversation about the watershed’s future.
Sign up now to get event reminders and program updates
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Start the Journey: The First Watershed Walk
Explore the One Water Trail & Highland Park’s Water Infrastructure
Saturday, March 21 — Noon
Carnegie Lake, Highland Park
The first hike of the season begins where water, history, and engineering come together.
Join us at Carnegie Lake to explore the Highland Park reservoir system and the proposed One Water Trail. Along the way we’ll look at how modern water projects interact with historic infrastructure and imagine new ways to connect people to the watershed landscape.
Experts from Pittsburgh Water will highlight projects around Reservoir No. 2 and discuss how these systems shape the health of Negley Run.
Expect:
• A relaxed community walk
• A behind-the-scenes look at water infrastructure
• Conversation about future trail connections
• A chance to meet fellow watershed explorers
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Coming Soon: Spring Watershed Adventures
The Ambassador program continues throughout the spring with hikes, workshops, and field explorations across the watershed.
Urban Forest Walk – April 22 -- Explore the edges of Highland Park’s forests during an evening hike from Liberty Green to the Negley Run Reforestation area, learning about urban forest restoration and the health of our regional canopy.
Rain Reclaim Watershed Walk – May 2 -- Walk through Lincoln–Lemington–Belmar to see how nature-based stormwater projects are helping neighborhoods manage flooding and reclaim rainwater.
Trees, Ecology, and Urban Landscapes – May 13 -- Join experts from Tree Pittsburgh and Ethos Collaborative to examine the design and ecological role of the Liberty Green and River Roots landscape.
Family Fishing Fun at Carnegie Lake – May 16 Anglers Fishing Club Pittsburgh invites you to register for its family fun day. Fishing equipment, instruction and bail to be provided to all REGISTERED participants.
Mushrooms of the Watershed – May 27 -- Naturalist Stephen Bucklin leads a fascinating exploration of fungi and forest ecology in eastern Highland Park.
Splash into the Future – May 28, 4 to 6 pm – Kingsley Association invites everyone to interact with the poll through water safety activities, hands-on environmental demonstrations, summer environmental programming and more.
The ambassador program will continue through the summer with additional hikes and outdoor events.
Each event offers a different lens on the watershed—from infrastructure and forests to ecology and community history.
