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City Cast Pittsburgh

Let us help you find Mother Nature in this concrete jungle.

Sophia Lo

Francesca Dabecco

Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney will be teeming with fans of Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog on Monday, eager to see the critter’s weather prediction. The holiday’s roots go back to 

, marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox — but it has since taken on a life (and lore) of its own.

The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club asserts that Phil's predictions are accurate. Gov. Josh Shapiro even named him the "

But how accurate is he, really? The National Centers for Environmental Information 

, and over the last 10 years, Phil only got it right 30% of the time.

 so the groundhog can spend his life at a sanctuary. This year, they suggested a giant hologram of a groundhog instead. While those ideas might not draw crowds like Phil, we're sad to say that a coin toss would have better odds at letting us know if spring is on its way.

Groundhogs do not speak English, so how does Phil let us know whether to expect more dreary weather or an early spring? In 2023, we 

, A.J. Dereume, who explained that only the president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club can interpret “Groundhogese.”

The president of the club gets this power through an ancient wood cane, which is passed down from the previous president. So assuming that Phil has never been wrong, we can only conclude that a faulty weather prediction comes from human error and mistranslation.

Phil’s been hard at work predicting forecasts for over a hundred years, and he’ll never retire. Literally. He 

 to extend his life, but the real kicker is that his wife, Phyliss, doesn’t get to sip on this magical concoction. What will happen when Phyliss goes to the big groundhog burrow in the sky? 💔 #KeepPhilAndPhylissTogether

. If you’re in town and would like to visit, there are two viewing areas to Phil's Burrow: one inside the library and one outside. Don’t forget to stop by 

What you didn't know about Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog.

4 Fun Facts About Punxsutawney Phil for Groundhog Day

Get to know the natural side of Pittsburgh: the plants, animals, weather and more that make our city unique.

Pittsburgh Urban Almanac

Urban Almanac

Pawpaw fans love the fruit’s custardy, tropical notes of mango and banana — definitely not the flavors you expect to grow in Appalachia. But if you haven’t encountered pawpaws before, there’s a pretty good reason why. They have too short of a shelf life to meet market demands, and there aren’t as many trees here as there used to be, mostly due to industry. The fruit’s brief season and scarce nature is arguably what makes it so special — especially when you get to know its story of survival.

Pawpaws, or Asimina triloba, have been a part of Native American cultures for millennia and play an important role in Indigenous foodways. Iroquois people mix them into sauces and corn cakes, Cherokee people use the tree fibers in the inner bark to make rope and string, and the Shawnee Tribe, which marks time by phases of the moon, 

 after the pawpaw. Fossils of the fruit were even discovered at The 

 in Avella, Pa., the oldest site of human habitation in North America.

Pittsburgh is on the edge of the native range; pawpaws can grow in the deep South, Mid-Atlantic, and all the way up to the Ohio River Valley. The trees mainly grow in the understory of woods, but they’re often called a “river fruit” because they thrive along waterways. If you want to go foraging, 

 with some of the suspected sites where pawpaws grow in Pittsburgh. (Yellow circles mark the spots!)

 at Garden Dreams in Wilkinsburg on Sept. 16 and 30. Zebra swallowtail butterfly expert Gabrielle Marsden will share how pawpaw trees are linked to this particular species of butterfly.

; they’ve sold pawpaws in recent years. Keep a lookout for specials from 

 at local farmers markets; Trevor makes a 

If you’re up for a road trip, check out these regional festivals:

Be a pawpaw nerd like me and buy local author Andrew Moore’s book “

Pawpaw: In Search of America’s Forgotten Fruit

.” Moore does a deep dive into the past, present, and future of this unique fruit.

Learn about the native tree and where to find pawpaws in Pittsburgh.

Where To Find Pawpaws in Pittsburgh

What Are Pawpaws? Your Guide to Pittsburgh’s Tropical-Tasting Fruit

Not all birds go south for winter! Sparrows, starlings, finches, bluejays, and chickadees — these are some of the species that brave the cold months in Western Pennsylvania, and it’s time for you to find them!

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is hosting the 126th annual Christmas Bird Count, touted as the world’s longest-running citizen science project. 

everyday people count birds and the data gets used to measure changes in the environment and avian populations.

While birding experience isn't necessary to participate, the ASWP offers some warm-up days to help you prepare to spot and identify birds. Head to the Succop Nature Park or the Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve on Nov. 29 or Buffalo Creek Nature Park on Dec. 6 for coffee, bagels, and birdwatching practice.

After the count officially kicks off, you can join up with an experienced birdwatcher to count birds on the following days and at the following locations:

 — Buffalo Creek Valley (includes Todd Nature Reserve & Buffalo Creek Nature Park)

 — Pittsburgh (includes Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve)

 — South Butler (includes Succop Nature Park)

Count birds with the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania , and be a part of the world’s longest-running citizen science project.

How To Join the 126th Annual Christmas Bird Count in Pittsburgh with the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania

How To Join the 126th Annual Christmas Bird Count in Pittsburgh

While we’re used to experiencing all four seasons in a day, we all know the best way to survive 

 is to expect the unexpected. We might wake up to a balmy morning that tricks us into thinking spring has arrived only to get a few inches of snow by evening. Knowing what to expect is the best way to prepare for winter in Pennsylvania. The Farmer's Almanac Winter Forecast for Pennsylvania for 2024-25 has been released, and it looks like Pennsylvania’s in for a little bit of everything. But what you'll see depends on where in the state you live.

Hodge-podge might best describe what we can expect for the upcoming winter. The Farmer's Almanac winter forecast for Pennsylvania boils down to where you live. If you're in Philly and the eastern part of the state, you're looking at higher-than-usual temperatures and less snow than normal. February, if predictions prove true, will be the coldest month of the season with an average daily temperature of 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Central Pennsylvania will also see slightly higher than usual temperatures with the coldest month, February, averaging 27 degrees Fahrenheit and normal snowfall throughout the season.

That leaves Western PA. Unlike the rest of the state, we're going to deal with lower-than-usual temperatures. The Farmer's Almanac winter forecast for Western Pennsylvania predicts the coldest part of winter will run from the end of January until early February. January will have the lowest daily average temperature at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Discover the Farmer's Almanac winter forecast for Pennsylvania 2024-25, with tips on how to prepare for varied weather conditions across the state.

What Will Winter Be Like In Pennsylvania 2024-25?

You Might Be Surprised to Hear the Predictions About Pennsylvania’s Hodge-Podge Upcoming Winter

As soon as the weather starts to turn chilly, I feel relief. I love fall for the same reasons — the gorgeous foliage, fun activities, and delicious seasonal treats — as everyone else. But what I really look forward to is opening the windows to let the cool breeze in, pairing my shorts with a hoodie, and earlier sunsets. Exploring is so much easier when it’s cooler out, so my daughter and I took advantage of a brisk fall afternoon to visit 

Our more than hour-long drive to Ohiopyle State Park, one mid-October afternoon, gave us a small glimpse of the autumn beauty that awaited us. Color popped from some of the trees, many of which had yet to change from their vibrant shades of green, along the turnpike, leaving me a little worried that we might be too early for leaf peeping. That worry evaporated as we pulled into the spacious parking lot, overlooking breathtaking fall colors and just a short stroll from Ohiopyle Falls. (Even when we’ve visited the park during busy times, we never had trouble finding parking in the lot or along the road.)

A winding, paved walkway at Ohiopyle State Park leads to two viewing areas overlooking Ohiopyle Falls. You can also view the falls from the visitor center, which is worth a stop if it’s your first visit to the park. The visitor center has exhibits, maps, bathrooms, and helpful rangers who can answer any questions. A staircase leads down to a floor-to-ceiling window that showcases Ohiopyle Falls. We did this in the summer, to escape the heat and humidity for a bit, but the weather was so lovely and cool on this October day that we went straight to the outside viewing area to snap photos and admire the waterfall, flanked by the fall foliage.

We decided to take a short hike, following the Ferncliff Trail, to the other side of the falls, too. The trail took us from the parking lot, over a bridge with sensational views of the fall foliage, and down a rather steep set of stairs. Wear sturdy shoes for the rocky trail, but that small obstacle is worth the views of Ohiopyle Falls. We walked over large rock formations to get a closer look at the cascade and smaller waterfalls that tumbled into the Youghiogheny River. Then we sat down on one of the large rocks and just soaked up the atmosphere — the tiny cascades, Ohiopyle Falls, the fall foliage, and the crisp air. Other visitors were exploring the rocks, posing for photos and enjoying the views, too.

Since we arrived at the park later in the afternoon, we didn’t have much time to explore. But, before we left, we made the one-mile drive from Ohiopyle Falls to Cucumber Falls. You can’t miss the sign for the parking lot, which is small and fills up quickly as we learned during a summer visit. This time, though, we were lucky, especially since we were trying to get a glimpse of the waterfall before sunset.

A small viewing area, just a short walk from the parking lot, overlooks Cucumber Falls, which is particularly spectacular surrounded by the fall colors. If you want to go to the base of the waterfall, you’ll walk down a long, winding staircase and climb over rocks to get a closer look. It was already getting dark, and a little eerie, so we just snapped a few photos and decided to leave the base for another day.

Have you been to Ohiopyle State Park in the fall? Did you hike? If so, what do you think are the best hikes at Ohiopyle State Park in the fall? What are some of your favorite things to do in fall near Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments! If you’re still planning your fall adventures, add a visit to Keystone State Park to your itinerary. A stroll along the 

 promises stunning views of the fall foliage. Find more of the best autumn hikes in Pennsylvania on 

Our more than hour-long drive to Ohiopyle State Park, one mid-October afternoon, gave us a small glimpse of the autumn beauty that awaited us.

We Spent a Chilly Fall Day Exploring Two Easily-Accessible Waterfalls at Ohiopyle State Park

Guam kingfishers, called sihek in Chamorro, are very rare little birds — there are 

. The males have iridescent plumage, their wings change from blue to green as they move, and their bellies are a soft cinnamon brown. They use their long beaks to dig nesting cavities in rotting trees, and their call is said to be so regular that it was once used to tell time.

plays a crucial role in rehabilitating sihek populations

, with the hope of returning more of them to their native island homes.

🇬🇺 Kingfishers and the Brown Tree Snake

 of the Mariana Islands and Guam. In one story, a woman dressed in blue and orange is transformed into the first sihek, whose song was so loud it could lure people to get lost in the forest.

After World War II, an invasive species of snake was introduced to the island of Guam by way of cargo ships and military transports. The tree snake preyed heavily on kingfishers, and coupled with habitat loss, the population shrunk to a few dozen birds by the late 1980s.

Biologists rescued the last of the wild kingfishers, and in captivity, their numbers have steadily increased thanks to the dedicated work of aviculturists, genetic testing, and careful incubation. At least three chicks hatched at the National Aviary were recently released from their homes on Palmyra Atoll. The aviary also piloted special temporary radio transmitter technology to help scientists track their success over the following weeks.

Though still considered extinct in the wild, the species could soon be upgraded to critically endangered thanks to work being done right here in Pittsburgh. Learn more about these special birds at the aviary’s museum-style 

 Check out these upcoming events, all included with admission.

International African Penguin Awareness Day

Visit One of the World’s Rarest Birds 

Soon, neighbors will be raking piles of crunchy foliage and putting bags out for waste pickup — but I’m here to give you permission to be lazy and leave the leaves! Actually, you’ll be doing your community a service. Your yard is an ecosystem, and these fallen leaves play a part as…

Where do you think insects go in the cold months? Many native bugs overwinter under fallen leaves, like butterflies (such as 

), moths (such as luna moths), caterpillars, bumblebees, and 

. Keep dead plants and wood, too — many bees create burrows in these natural cavities.

Fallen leaves act like a warm blanket over your garden, keeping plant roots protected from the cold winter winds. It's especially valuable for dormant perennials, and you can even add to the insulation with grass cuttings or other spent plants.

Leaves break down over winter to create a rich soil just in time for spring planting. They actually have the same weed suppression and moisture retention properties of 

 that Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than anywhere else? Figure out when we’re in peak color by using 

Learn How To Compost in Pittsburgh

The colorful leaves that fall every Autumn protect native pollinators and plants over the winter in Pittsburgh.

Why Raking Leaves Hurts Pittsburgh Ecosystems

Don’t Rake Your Fall Leaves in Pittsburgh

The Appalachian Mountains, stretching from Alabama to Canada, are among the 

in the world — but many might not know the flora and fauna that call it home.

“Tiny Worlds of the Appalachian Mountains”

 artist Rosalie Haizlett reveals the exquisite wildflowers, unique butterflies, colorful slime, coveted mushrooms, and more tucked within forested ridges and waterways.

The book is filled with stunning watercolor maps and illustrations of species, field notes, ecological facts, interviews with experts, and prompts that ask the reader to tune into the world around them — all recorded on a six-month journey through the mountains.

As a native of Bethany, W. Va. (about an hour southwest of Pittsburgh), she grew up around smokestacks near the Ohio River. As she got older, Haizlett began to see the scars of industry.

“This project came from my growing desire to share hopeful narratives about the region,” Haizlett says. “I also wanted to educate people on the creatures that are most at risk of being lost because of watershed contamination and habitat destruction.”

In over 200 pages, you’ll get to know the 

 in Alabama, yellow trout lilies in Tennessee, snakeskin liverwort in North Carolina, coral slime in West Virginia, and in Pennsylvania, a squishy smattering: pickerel frogs, swap fungus, ghost pipe, and banded fishing spiders.

Find more fascinating wildlife along Haizlett’s journey at her 

book tour stop at Three Rivers Outdoors Co.

🎨 Your Turn: Go On A Woodland Color Walk

Throughout her book, Haizlett calls on the reader to be a thoughtful observer of nature through creative prompts. Most are written for spring and summer, so I asked her to share one for fall:

Learn More About PA Wildlife Here!

In her new book “Tiny Worlds of the Appalachian Mountains” artist Rosalie Haizlett shares an artistic celebration of regional biodiversity.

What Flora and Fauna Live Near Pittsburgh and Across Appalachia?

Watercolors in ‘Tiny Worlds’ Explore Flora and Fauna in Appalachia

Have you seen a flock of wild turkeys crossing the road? Or did you spot them on your hike in a Pittsburgh park? You can help the Pennsylvania Game Commission by reporting these sightings in the 

state’s annual sighting survey through Sept. 6

. The state is tracking population trends and long-term reproductive success (survival rates), as well as developing hunting regulations.

 — a dependable food source for Native Americans until European colonizers over-hunted and their habitat declined. When the Game Commission was created in 1895, it was a positive step toward protection.

 Wild turkeys were so admired by colonial statesmen that Benjamin Franklin proposed it as our national symbol. Of course, it lost out to another beloved Pittsburgh-area bird, 

🦃 Submit Your Turkey Sightings

See wild turkeys in Pittsburgh? Help the state track population growth, and report sightings to the Pennsylvania Game Commission's annual survey.

Report Pittsburgh's Wild Turkeys to the Pennsylvania Game Commission

What To Do About Pittsburgh’s Wild Turkeys

There aren’t many experiences more quintessentially summery than fireflies emerging as twilight descends, blinking on and off over the grass of a park. However, populations of these fascinating little beetles are declining 

. But good news! The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has tips on how to help with firefly conservation.

Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, are masters of bioluminescence (they control the amount of oxygen that interacts with a chemical in their abdomens to create light), and use their flashing to attract mates. External light from street lamps, buildings, and homes disrupt these biological patterns and drive them away from their preferred darker habitats.

If you have access to a yard or a garden, consider planting native species or saving some of your yard debris and leaf litter to create a corner of safety for fireflies. Some firefly larvae are even natural garden protection, eating slugs and snails that might be after your crop.

Help out with firefly conservation by watching and enjoying them! You can be a part of the community science effort 

 that tracks and records firefly populations, the first step in identifying and addressing the threats to these special insects.

Fireflies are near and dear to Pennsylvania’s heart — but do you know the local history of 

Do you know your state trivia? 🎧

What are lightning bugs? And how can you help firefly populations? Here's a handy guide.