Overbrook Environmental Education Center

Alleyways are a vital part of a community’s overall quality of life. Although upkeep for the City’s alleyway system is the sole responsibility of property owners, the City of Philadelphia is now providing limited alleyway cleaning services that are requested formally through the below program form.

Just one more way that Mayor Parker is making Philadelphia safer, cleaner, and greener for all!

EDUCATION AND INVOLVEMENT

- Each alley is limited to one cleaning per year
- Limited to City of Phila residents ONLY
- Limited to alleyways ONLY within the City of Philadelphia ONLY
- No duplicate block requests will be accepted in the same calendar year (regardless of how many requests are submitted)

Click on the link in our bio, or go to officeofcleanandgreen.org/alleyways

The Overbrook Environmental Education Center recently teamed up with SLA Beeber High School, American Rivers, Villanova University, and Mini Studio Video to launch a “Photovoice” project. This participatory research initiative empowered SLA Beeber seniors to document their community’s relationship with water through the lens of a camera.

Led by science teacher Melanie Snier, nearly 50 students explored Morris Park to photograph Indian Creek. Guided by retired Philadelphia Water Department engineer Drew Brown, the students learned about the creek’s history and “daylighting” while using their phone cameras to practice visual literacy. Their goal was to capture images that told a story about local water quality and natural systems. A week later, back in the classroom, the young scholars analyzed their work using the “SHOWeD” method—a framework designed to help them identify community conditions, understand their root causes, and advocate for social change.

Nutrition classes are here for the month of May! Join us as we learn four new springtime recipes. Learn to cook healthy meals, pick up kitchen tips, and cook in community.

These classes are free, fun, and open to everyone! No registration required.

On Saturday April 11th, the Overbrook Environmental Education Center (OEEC) joined forces with the city-wide Philly Spring Cleanup to transform the 300 block of N. 61st Street! We were thrilled to partner with community leader Elaine Wells and Global Thinking Initiatives, the Wynnebrook TCB crew, Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP), and a fantastic group of local volunteers. Together, we tackled heavy-duty contractor waste, demolition debris, and cleared out two vacant lots filled with illegally dumped materials.

A huge shoutout to CLIP for handling the heavy lifting and to everyone who “showed up and showed out” to make a difference! To visually learn more about this event, swipe through the following pictures to see the incredible before-and-after transformations.

Note: Elaine Wells also serves on the OEEC’s Community Advisory Board for Illegal Dumping Reduction, working alongside SEAMAAC and the PHL Office of Clean & Green Initiatives.

Congratulations to the Overbrook Environmental Education Center (OEEC) for receiving the 2026 PA Brownfields Keystone Award! Established in 2002 by the nonprofit JASTECH, the OEEC has long championed sustainability and public health in Philadelphia. The OEEC’s latest venture, "Overbrook Farmacy & NatureWorks" at 6122–6150 Lancaster Avenue, is a national model for community-led brownfield redevelopment. By transforming a former scrapyard and quarry into a "living laboratory," the project integrates green infrastructure with environmental education to boost climate resilience. Following a rigorous EPA-funded cleanup that removed over 1,800 tons of debris and lead-impacted soil, the site received final Act 2 regulatory approval in late 2025. With the land now safe for public use, and site construction is set to begin in the third quarter of 2026.

Join the Overbrook Environmental Education Center and Global Thinking Initiatives on Saturday April 11th for our Philly Spring Cleanup Day.

We will clean up litter and illegally dumped materials on the 300 Block of N 61st Street, and the vacant lot at 352 N. 61st Street.

🕰️When? — Saturday, April 11th at 8:00 – 10:00 AM

📍Where? — 346 N 61st Street Phila. Pa 19139

🌎 Why? — Let’s kick off the Spring season as we clean the block and clear some lots, together!

On Wednesday, March 18th, the Overbrook Environmental Education Center and University of Pennsylvania Climate and Sustainability Project hosted our 8th Trash Talkin’ Session in the Haddington neighborhood of Philadelphia. These focus groups are part of an Illegal Dumping Reduction project, teamed with the City of Philadelphia Office Of Clean & Green, and funded by the William Penn Foundation.

During the session, each participant provided their own personal experience, observations, and perceptions. We discussed root causes of illegal dumping, identified local hotspots in the area, and discussed potential solutions. We now have a clearer idea of the causes of illegal dumping specific to Haddington, and what solutions neighbors view as most viable.

Thank you to Vine Street Community Center and Elaine Wells for hosting and supporting this event and to Global Thinking Initiatives for spearheading recruitment among the Haddington community. We look forward to testing and recommending the most viable solutions that have been put forward during our Trash Talkin’ sessions.

April nutrition classes are here! Join us as we welcome the warm weather with five new springtime recipes. Learn to cook healthy meals, pick up kitchen tips, and cook in community.

These classes are free, fun, and open to everyone! No registration required.

On Monday, March 16th, the Overbrook Environmental Education Center (OEEC) welcomed Professor Jessica Wolff, PLA, and her landscape architecture students from Thomas Jefferson University. The event, which included Dr. Christine Rosan of Temple University and Dr. Sue Stein of Villanova University, showcased student research on Eco-Zones and Conservation Districts. The Jefferson students presented insightful illustrations and research on the intersection of the environment, public health, and quality of life in West Philadelphia.

Their work highlighted the cumulative impacts of historical inequities and poor urban planning in under-resourced neighborhoods. By evaluating spatial risk factors—such as social vulnerability and environmental hazards—the students offered strategic recommendations to combat air and water pollution, excessive pesticide use, and other stressors.

We are incredibly proud of the excellent work and professionalism displayed by these students.

On Saturday, March 14th, the Overbrook Environmental Education Center (OEEC) joined over 1,000 community leaders at the annual Block Captain Rally, hosted by the Philadelphia Department of Sanitation and the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee (PMBC). This event provided a fantastic opportunity for OEEC staff to connect with dedicated leaders from West Philadelphia and across the city.

Many Block Captains were eager to engage with OEEC’s core programs, including Breathe Right Air Monitoring, EPA Lead Safety Training, Decarbonization, and Illegal Dumping Prevention. Most importantly, the rally served as a platform for these leaders to share firsthand experiences and voice their concerns regarding environmental health within their neighborhoods.

CALLING ALL CONTRACTORS WORKING IN PHILLY!

Do you work in construction, renovation, demolition, or hauling? If so, please join us for a discrete conversation about illegal dumping in Philadelphia.

We want to know your thoughts!!!

We’re interested in knowing more about how construction waste is disposed, how your colleagues manage their waste, and your thoughts on solutions for better waste management. Our objective is to work with you to learn about the root causes of illegal dumping and to identify practices that prevent future dumping in our city.