Pittsburgh Park Rangers

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Good afternoon and happy Tuesday from the Allegheny Commons!

Get your ducks in a row and come check out some upcoming Ranger programming in the Northside🦆:

* The Ranger table at this week’s Northside Farmers Market on Friday the 26th 🧑‍🌾

* Beginner tree ID hike on Saturday July 11th at 10:30 am in Allegheny Commons🌳

* Mushroom ID hike on Saturday July 18th at 1:00 pm in Riverview Park 🍄

Check out our eventbrite by clicking on the link in our bio where you can find out more information and register for these hikes. We hope to see you soon!

Is this weather bugging anyone else?!? ☔️ 🐛 🐝

Who the heck is the ohio haircap?

Mosses are maybe our most overlooked plants here in the Pittsburgh parks. Only about 12 percent of the 12,000 known species even have common names. Yet these humble little plants have ancient origins, and are vital to recolonizing disturbed areas. Take this haircap moss, which was growing happily on a shale pile in Hays Woods. Maybe you’ve seen them on bare rock or brick, or evening growing on trees.

Mosses were the first type of plant to colonize land, emerging from the oceans millions of years before the first animals. Having mastered the most rugged terrain early, they have evolved very little since then. They still lack roots, vascular system and flowers to reproduce. Like ferns they spread via spores. Their simple durable design has allowed them to persist millions of years in some of the most harsh conditions on the planet.

Next time you’re out, take a look at the forest floor and see if you can spot any of these living fossils!

If you’ve ever wondered why the park wrapped around “The Mount” is called Emerald View…

One look and it all makes sense.

Now you know.

Damsel or Dragon? In Hays Woods, you might come across these two different insects darting around bodies of water. While they look similar, the ebony jewelwing is really a type of damselfly, different from the heavier bodied dragonflies. To tell the two apart, note whether the wings are held in a raised position while at rest (damselfly) or held out flat (dragonfly).

Although damselflies are adept hunters, they often fall prey to much larger and  more powerful dragonflies.  Dragonflies will pick a perch over water from which to hunt (like this one who refused to sit still for a closer photo).  Measured by hunting success rate, dragonflies are the most adept hunter on the planet. Up to 97% of pursuits end in captured prey.  They are also the fastest insect on the planet, reaching top speeds of almost 40 miles an hour.

Although dragonflies don’t sting or go out of their way to bite, the sight of a thumb sized insect darting around at high speed can be pretty intimidating! Lucky for us the dragonflies have actually gotten smaller over time. Modern dragonflies evolved  from griffinflies, which dominated the skies during the carboniferous period with TWO FOOT wingspans. Yikes!

Comment your favorite dragonfly watching spots in the parks, we’d love to hear what kinds you’ve seen!

The deer management lottery application is open! 🦌 

The 2026-2027 deer management lottery is open for interested applicants! If you are an archer looking to participate the application will be open until SUNDAY June 21st at 11:59PM. All applicants must pass a criminal background check, (including game law violation check), attend an accuracy assessment and follow the rules and guidelines set forth by the program. 

This year we are also excited to announce a new partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to provide a more in-depth mentorship program for individuals 12 years and older! This will match new archers with experienced mentors and allow for one-on-one skill building opportunities!

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Or want to sign up? Make sure to check out the Engage PGH Page (link in our bio), sign up for tomorrow’s informational session, and/or send us a DM for more information

Have you ever seen this freaky fungus before?? This red stinkhorn was found here in Riverview Park growing amongst the leaf litter. These mushrooms can be found in leaf litter and mulch, so don’t be surprised to find them in your garden!

Stinkhorns may look weird but they aren’t poisonous or harmful in any way, but we recommend leaving them alone as they are covered in a stinky goo that is hard to wash off!! This goo is filled with spores and it is design to attract and feed flies and beetles that enjoy rotting meat so it can stick to them and spread its spores to new places for it to grow.

Rangers cut back the invasive species Japanese Knotweed at the head of Dog Paw Trail. It was encroaching on the concrete steps and below. Hopefully we can get the goats back to keep fighting this battle in the area!

A visit to Hays Woods elusive waterfall revealed a small creature already there enjoying the view. This little moth was settled on a rock with a perfect view. Late spring in Hays has the creeks running with lower water, but the shaded deep ravines still provide damp lush habitats for the wildlife we love to see! If you happen to know the moth species comment its name!