Nature Challenge results, National Walk & Roll to School Day, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:

Transit advocates demand better SEPTA funding. On Tuesday morning, transit advocates, including Transit Forward Philadelphia, held a rally and demonstration at LOVE Park to demand better funding for SEPTA. This comes as SEPTA pulled regional rail cars for inspection due to fire hazards, causing massive delays along the regional rail system. Speakers emphasized that flexing SEPTA’s capital budget to fund daily operations leaves SEPTA vulnerable to aging infrastructure risks such as the car fires. KYW Newsradio

Over 700 species observed during Fall Nature Challenge. The Academy of Natural Sciences held its first-ever Fall Nature Challenge bioblitz over the weekend. The purpose of the bioblitz was to “get people to interact with nature…on the streets of the city, in their yards, and in and on the cracks of the sidewalk,” according to the challenge organizers. See the results of the challenge here. 

Philly students walk and bike to school. Philly students participated in the National Walk & Roll to School Day on Wednesday to highlight active and alternative modes of transportation to school. Organizers included Safe Routes Philly, Vision Zero Philadelphia, and the School District of Philadelphia. The walk also kicked off Walktober 2025 – a month-long challenge to walk and bike to school until Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on November 14. 

Elections on November 4th. Pennsylvania general elections are on November 4th. In Philadelphia, the ballot includes races for District Attorney, City Controller, and many judicial positions, all the way up to the commonwealth’s supreme court. The last day to register to vote is October 20th. Independent, non-partisan organization Committee of Seventy is hosting a virtual information session on the elections next Thursday, October 23rd. 

Cover photo: Native plant at Laurel Hill West. Photo by Aix Photography