The phrase ‘buy fresh, buy local’ applies to the winter season as well — Pennsylvania is home to 31,000 acres of cut tree farms! These trees are a renewable and recyclable resource that help stabilize soil, provide refuge for wildlife and protect watersheds. Buying a real tree locally helps to support open space in our state and supports farmers who are able to maximize their land by planting cut trees grown on soil that cannot grow other crops.

     — Jordyn Melino, Associate Director of Exhibits

When you prune your garden in late fall, you can reap a variety of materials that can be used in festive holiday decorating. For example, grape vine can make a nice wreath that you can adorn with dried hydrangea flowers and seed pods from perennial plants like black-eyed-Susan, Echinacea and Baptisia. Looking for holiday colors? Red-twig dogwood branches, deciduous holly berries, birch branches, evergreen holly clippings, boxwood and many evergreen branches are all beautiful additions to containers and wreaths that can last for weeks as part of your holiday décor. Get creative with materials found right in your own backyard!

     — Jessica Horenstein, Outdoor Foreman

Some of my favorite gifts I’ve ever received have been experiences (sporting events, classes and even a Phipps membership) with friends and family, and now I always try to gift that way myself. If you’re searching for an item you can wrap up, try to shop in-person from local vendors to get unique gifts they can’t find anywhere else and don’t require shipping. The Shop at Phipps has a variety of products that are locally made that your family and friends will love and they’ll be able to use again and again. Stop in to see us and let us help you find the perfect sustainable gift for anyone in your life!

     — Kelly Donaldson, Retail Manager

Although beautiful, most traditional wrapping paper is difficult or impossible to recycle. Add some holiday pizzazz and a personal touch with creative alternatives! Wrap your gifts in the colorful pages of a flower catalog or favorite magazine. Folks will love personalized, hand-drawn or stamped paper wrappings, and the whole family can enjoy a night of crafting. An attractive fabric square tied with a cloth ribbon can be washed and reused as well. My favorite is a gift I once received wrapped in a reusable grocery bag — two gifts in one!

     — Jennifer Torrance, Research and Science Education Facilitator

Traveling is a great opportunity to make informed decisions about your carbon footprint. Hybrid and electric vehicles are becoming more popular and accessible to rent, which is a great way to test one out and see if you would consider purchasing one. Some travel companies offer carbon offsetting within your purchasing options, a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. While we can never completely eliminate our footprint and impacts we all make on the planet, let’s do what we can to reduce it. With over 300 million Americans making these decisions, we can truly make significant change to protect our environment, communities and families.

     — Michelle Allworth, Facilities Project Manager

There’s no denying that a hearty, delicious meal is one of the best parts of the holidays. This year, wow your guests with recipes that showcase the outstanding flavor of seasonal fruits and vegetables. From creamy butternut squash and savory leeks to tart cranberries and crisp pears, the possibilities are endless! Opt for organic and locally-grown options. If you’ll be serving meat, make sure it is humanely raised — key terms to look for include pasture-raised, grass-fed and Certified Humanely Raised and Handled. Cheers!

     — Amy Reed, Café Phipps Manager

When I think about donating and repurposing during the holiday season, I am excited by the creativity that can be shared with friends and family! Making handmade gifts and getting creative with how you wrap them, such as using a pillow case rather than wrapping paper that will be thrown away, is a good way to promote sustainability and give something special to loved ones. Whether it’s using old wood found in my attic to make a farmhouse table, to something as simple as making a handmade card from recycled paper, I find great meaning in giving something a new purpose and sharing it with others!

     — Ashley Dean, Human Resources Manager

I love sending holiday greeting cards, and there are so many fun, eco-friendly options! Handmade cards add a special touch and allow you to stretch your creative muscles with fun doodles. There are plenty of ideas online — my personal favorite is Youtuber Amanda Rach Lee’s video on making handmade cards — or you can come up with your own design! If that idea sounds intimidating, there are also responsible professional printers, and e-cards are a great option that saves time, money and resources.

     — Jenna Bodnar, Communications Manager

Pittsburgh is the perfect place for outdoor adventures during your holiday vacation! My own holiday tradition is to participate in one of the longest-running citizen science efforts in the world — the Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. There are different days to volunteer in this effort depending on your neighborhood, and there even entire counts dedicated to our youngest birders! Also, our county parks and state parks have a variety of wintry activities, from guided hikes to ice skating to winter painting. And of course, a thermos of hot chocolate adds a dash of holiday magic to a family walk in one of our city parks.

     — Maria Wheeler-Dubas, Science Education Outreach Manager

As we continue to grow and work on ourselves, why not include Mother Earth in the process? Collectively making small eco-conscious changes has the power of generating big environmental impacts. While it’s easy to get stuck in “big picture mode,” creating small, maintainable goals rooted in self-joy is essential for making lasting lifestyle changes. If you like to cook, try your hand at one new meatless meal a week. Interested in fashion? Lead a clothing swap with friends and family! And remember to take time (even if it’s just a small pause) to celebrate each accomplishment you make.

     — Maris Altieri, Let's Move Pittsburgh Program Coordinator