Read

Intensifying summers are putting the Philly suburbs’ aging infrastructure to the test: ‘We get a 100-year storm every year’ (Philadelphia Inquirer, August 12, 2026)

A Green Oasis Grows in North Philadelphia’s Heat Island (Inside Climate News, August 13, 2026)

Data centers remain in the news:
AI’s climate problem is worse than we thought (HEATED, August 12, 2026)
The Real Reason Data Center Gas Power Plants Are So Dirty (Wired, August 14, 2026)
Opposition to data center construction is rising sharply, survey says (WHYY, August 14, 2026)

Some El Niño explainers:
What is El Niño? (South Jersey Climate News, August 12, 2026)
A potentially ‘historic’ El Niño may become the biggest on record, NOAA says (Philadelphia Inquirer, August 13, 2026)

Do

Watts Up With Solar Around Philly?
Wednesday, August 19 from 6 – 7 p.m.
Solar States. Virtual.
Interested in offsetting rising utility bills? Join Jake Head and the Solar States team for a brief chat about solar energy, and what it can do for you! We’ll discuss the BEST homeowner options for going solar and what we’re seeing in the field, and then open it up for questions.

SWWAG: Tending to Our Gardens
Friday, August 21 from 5 – 6:30 p.m.
One Art Community Center, 431-39 N. 52nd St.
Join us as we explore natural ways to prevent and treat common garden pests, learn what to look for throughout the growing season, and discover how companion planting can support healthier gardens. Perfect for beginner gardeners and anyone curious to learn more.

Bat Night Walk with the Bio Team
Friday, August 21 from 7:30 – 9 p.m.
John Heinz Natioanl Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard
Come learn about different bat species found on the refuge on this special twilight walk! Free and kid-friendly!

SWWAG Workshop – Harvesting the Healing Power: An Afro-Herbalism Workshop on Elderberries
Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Mill Creek Farm, 4901 Brown St.
Join us for a FREE immersive and educational workshop on harvesting and processing elderberries! You will be taken through a step-by-step process of processing elderberries, showcasing the creation of an elderberry oxymel. See all SWWAG workshops.

Turtle Talks with Aark Wildlife Rehab and Education Center
Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m. – noon
Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive
Discover insights about turtles and wildlife rehabilitation from the experts at Aark Wildlife Rehab and Education Center. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about and support local wildlife education efforts. $10 per family, $5 per individual.

Fungadelphia 2026
Saturday, August 22 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road
Join the 3rd annual Fungadelphia event for guided mushroom walks, lectures, workshops, food, music, and fun.

Submit

Philadelphia Stories
Philadelphia Stories is a free print magazine that strives to publish the finest fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and art written by authors living in, or originally from, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New Jersey. Deadline: September 1.

River Alive Photography Show
The RIVER ALIVE exhibit will be a community based exploration of what it means to be in a river city, through photographs that reflect diverse aspects of the Delaware River Watershed within four urban areas of the Delaware Estuary: Camden, Philadelphia, Chester, and Wilmington. Application closes September 6, 2026.

Plan ahead 

Nighthawk Watch
Thursday, August 27 from 7 – 9 p.m.

Fall 2026 Basic Tree Tenders Training
In Person at PHS Town Hall & Zoom Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, August 26, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 2, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 9, 6 – 8:30 p.m.