Each year Sustainable Pittsburgh and its outdoor recreation partners host Great Outdoors Week, a week chock full of outdoor recreation happenings and fun! Great Outdoors Week highlights the amazing outdoor recreation opportunities Southwestern Pennsylvania provides. Individuals from all skill levels and backgrounds are invited to participate.

Wednesday, May 14 - 11:00am to 1:00pm - Kick-Off Great Outdoors Week

Taking place in downtown Pittsburgh ís Market Square , the event will run from 11am until 1pm and feature music from 91.3 WYEP-FM. Individuals are invited to test their skills on the climbing wall, try out a kayak (safely on land!), and meet local outdoors groups. Stop by for giveaways and enter to win some great raffle prizes!

Raffle Prizes include:

-General admission tickets to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

-Gift certificates for 2-hour bike rentals courtesy of Golden Triangle Bike N Blade

-Group Climbing Party certificate courtesy of REI

-Family Camping Weekend Rental Package certificate courtesy of REI

-Local trail maps, courtesy of Friends of the Riverfront

-T-shirts and hats

Following are the 2008 Great Outdoors Week signature events. Many more activities will be posted in the coming weeks.

Friday, May 16 - National Bike to Work Day - Bike Pittsburgh Start off the celebration of Great Outdoors Week on your bike during National Bike to Work Day, hosted by Bike Pittsburgh on Friday, May 16. Stop by REI in the Southside Works between 8am and 11am for a free Biker Appreciation Breakfast and giveaways!

Saturday, May 17 - 11:00am-6:00pm - Venture Outdoors Festival -

Venture Outdoors

The region's premier outdoor recreation event will be held rain or shine on Washington's Landing. This free event features canoeing, kayaking, biking, dragon boats, rock climbing, fishing and much more.

Sunday, May 18 - 6:30am - 3:30pm - Pedal Pittsburgh -

Community Design Center of Pittsburgh (CDCP)

This fun cycling event draws thousands of riders celebrating design, health, fitness and urban lifestyles. The event is a ride, not a race, with distances for everyone ranging from 6 to 60 miles. Fee structure available on CDCP's website.

Tuesday, May 20 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm - "Learn to Row" Indoor Session - Three Rivers Rowing Association

Try rowing in Three Rivers Rowing Association's indoor rowing tanks and on the ergometers (rowing machines) at its Millvale Training Facility.

Sunday, May 25 - 12:00pm - 5:00pm Rachel's Sustainable Feast -

Rachel Carson Homestead

Rain or Shine - Bring your appetite for great local food! Enjoy the best from Pittsburgh's chefs who are committed to buying locally. You'll also find local farmers' markets and as many of the region's environment, conservation and fair-trade organizations that can be squeezed into one block party. Cost is $5/person, children under 5 FREE.

Please join us in promoting Great Outdoors Week to your constituents and networks. In doing so you contribute to branding the region as the outdoor recreation destination it truly has become.

Outdoor play links to many regional imperatives including: healthy lifestyles, environmental stewardship, talent attraction and retention, and overall quality of life and economic development.

Great Outdoors Week offers many easy ways for you, your family, work colleagues, club, etc. to try new outdoor activities and reap the benefits of healthier lifestyles all year-long, in one of America's top-notch outdoor adventure cities. National Geographic knows it in stating, "Pittsburgh has become a place where residents can be serious both about their careers and their outdoors".