Biophilia Network
Join Pittsburgh’s new network of creative minds working together to strengthen the bond between people and the natural world.
Biophilia: Pittsburgh is the pilot chapter for a global Biophilia Network. Read on to learn about our next event!
Virtual Biophilia: The Higher Education Climate Consortium of Pittsburgh: 15 Years of Collaboration and Climate Action
Join us Thurs., April 4 at 6 p.m. where we will highlight how, for more than 15 years, the Higher Education Climate Consortium of Pittsburgh (HECC) has been actively collaborating to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Pittsburgh’s higher education institutions. The coalition of colleges and universities in the Pittsburgh region serves as a peer networking group and a means for collaboration and idea exchange. In 2023, HECC wrapped up a year-long strategic planning effort that culminated with the release of the HECC Strategic Plan for Equitable Climate Action. The plan is focused on creating a strategic direction, while simultaneously providing support to individual institutions with existing climate action goals and commitments. The final HECC guiding document is already helping shape future focus, strategy, and detailed investment-grade action planning. Registrants of this virtual event will learn how HECC formed, how the strategic plan was developed, and next steps for HECC.
Register in advance for the meeting here. The Zoom meeting will begin promptly at 6 p.m. (EST), 3 p.m. (PST). After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Meet the Speakers:
Marcel C. Minutolo, Ph.D., CSSBB
Marcel has been an entrepreneur and a business development consultant for over 25 years. He is currently a Professor of Strategic Management with a focus on artificial intelligence in the Rockwell School of Business at Robert Morris University where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in strategic management, data analytics, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility. He has adjunct at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, and Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Ma in Chile. He is an Amazon Web Services Accredited Instructor, an AWS certified Cloud Practitioner, and a Six Sigma Certified Black Belt. He has an earned Doctorate of Philosophy in Business Strategy from the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh. Marcel is a Distinguished Fellow with the International Center for Conflict Resolution at the University of Pittsburgh and leads conflict resolution discussions. He has conducted research studies for Shell Appalachia, the United Way of Allegheny County, the National Collaborative for Gun Violence Research, and led the strategic planning process for many organizations. You can find his research on Google Scholar under the profile Marcel C. Minutolo. Marcel is a former U.S. Army military intelligence company commander with multiple deployments. He was enlisted as a light infantry soldier, and completed Officer Candidate School to earn his commission. He was a ‘peace keeper’ in Bosnia-Herzegovinian, Assistant Deputy Director for Emergency Response for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and company commander for the 556 Military Intelligence Company.
Deborah Steinberg, ASLA, LEED AP
Deborah Steinberg serves as Carnegie Mellon University’s Green Practices and Sustainability Manager, providing leadership for the university’s environmental sustainability efforts. Previously, Steinberg worked as Director of Sustainability Initiatives at Knox College where she supported the campus’ culture of sustainability. She has also worked as a science and environmental educator in the states and overseas. Steinberg holds a MLA from Chatham University, a MEd from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a BS in Resource Ecology and Management from the University of Michigan. She co-chairs the Higher Education Climate Consortium (HECC) or Pittsburgh and serves on the Clean Pittsburgh Commission.
Meetings are free to attend; however, advance registration is required. To R.S.V.P., please use this link.
Designed as a series of posts on the Phipps blog and a hashtag for use on Twitter and Instagram, #bioPGH is a new social call-to-action for people throughout the region to more closely examine the beauty and importance of the nature around them.
Inspired by the Biophilic Cities initiative, the Biophilia: Pittsburgh Directory seeks to present an overview of the biophilic organizations, events, activities and projects in Pittsburgh, to aid the public in enhancing their connections to nature and discovering collaborative opportunities.
Biophilia: Pittsburgh meets monthly at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens where, over delicious small-plates and light refreshments, an expert guest speaker discusses ways of connecting people to nature and showing how these connections can improve our lives in the interest of sharing ideas and identifying opportunities.
Our Goals
• To welcome and inspire others with the concept and principles of biophilia
• To foster collaboration and learning between professionals from a wide variety of disciplines
• To communicate biophilic principles in action-oriented ways to a wider audience for exponential and regional impact
What Is Biophilia?
The term “biophilia,” which literally means “love of life,” was coined by social psychologist Erich Fromm and popularized by biologist E.O. Wilson, who defined it as “the innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms.”
The implications of biophilia extend across a vast array of disciplines including design and engineering, nutrition, psychology, public health, education, biology and the humanities. Biophilia is expressed all over the world every day, through complex collaborations such as the design and construction of buildings and landscapes; and intimate, personal encounters including nature hikes and home gardening.
Photo © Paul g. Wiegman, Phipps staff