Marching into Spring!

Dear Watershed Partners,

We have some really exciting news this month! We will be holding our first annual awards event this May 31 at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center! Read on to learn how you can nominate someone who deserves recognition as a watershed steward. Interested in sponsoring our Watershed Milestones Award Ceremony & Reception? Call or email me at 215-844-8100 or [email protected] to learn more about this great opportunity!

By the way, did you catch TTF in the Northeast Times last month? Our phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from people wanting rain barrels and downspout planters! We are thrilled that so many people are recognizing the importance of stormwater management. TTF's new board members were also featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer. In addition, this month TTF hosted networking events for both community service coordinators and Tree Tenders. Be sure read about them on our blog.

Hope to see you at a TTF event soon!
Julie Slavet, Executive Director

TTF IS SEEKING NOMINATIONS!

TTF is looking for some great people, organizations, public agencies, and companies whose efforts in improving and protecting the TTF watershed deserve special recognition. To be eligible, the nominees must live, work, or have completed projects within the TTF watershed. We're looking for nominees in several categories including Municipal, Private Sector, Educator, Youth and Friend. (You can learn more about these categories here.) Awards will be presented at our first annual Watershed Milestones Award Ceremony & Reception on May 31 at

the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center in Philadelphia.

Nominations are due by March 15, 2012, so be sure to download the nomination form here!

JOIN TTF AT THE PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SHOW!

Don't miss TTF at the Philadelphia International Flower Show this month! Julie Slavet, along with AKRF's Julie Hendrickson and Rod Ritchie, will be presenting in the Gardener's Studio on Tuesday, March 6, at 4:00 p.m. At this talk, you'll hear from TTF and AKRF about the lessons learned from designing and planting a community rain garden in Germantown's historic Vernon Park. You'll also learn tips for planting a rain garden at your home or in your community. This talk is free with Flower Show admission. We hope to see you there!

HELP US IDENTIFY MUSSELS IN THE TTF CREEK!

Photo courtesy of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary

Freshwater mussels are facing an uncertain future in our local streams and rivers, and streams without mussels are at a serious disadvantage. Mussel beds offer valuable natural benefits, such as strengthening streambeds against erosion, filtering water (one mussel can filter up to 10 gallons a day!), and providing nutrients for other animals and plants to feed upon.

TTF is working with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary to identify mussels in the TTF Creek -- and we need your help! Volunteer partners play an important role in helping scientists monitor the health and locations of these extremely threatened animals. SAVE THE DATE: We'll be looking for mussels on Thursday, May 22. Stay tuned for more information about mussel collection days coming up this spring!

PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS: GET A FREE YARD TREE!

The Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation's TreePhilly campaign is enabling residents to beautify their homes and blocks, improve their health, reduce their energy costs, and reduce stormwater runoff all at once, at no cost. The deadline for getting your new yard tree this spring is March 31, so be sure to fill out an application form here. Contact Erica Smith at [email protected] for more information.

CONGRATULATIONS TO GREEN CITY, CLEAN WATERS AMBASSADORS!

Congratulations to the new Green City, Clean Waters Ambassadors! These Ambassadors will act as the community liaison or "go to" person in their neighborhoods to provide education, stewardship, and monitoring for green infrastructure projects, activities and events. This program was developed by the Philadelphia Water Department and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to promote green infrastructure education and stewardship in Philadelphia neighborhoods. Ambassadors in the TTF Watershed are: Janet Boys, Joel Eckel, Megan Fitzpatrick, Kelly O'Day, Nick Roush and Michael Wilcox.

LEARN ABOUT WATER AND FOOD SECURITY FOR WORLD WATER DAY

Did you know that it takes about 18 gallons of water to grow one tomato, 53 gallons to produce one glass of milk, and 1850 gallons to produce a steak? In fact, agriculture accounts for 70% of water usage worldwide. The UN's International World Water Day is held annually on March 22 to bring attention to water issues and advocate for sustainable management of our water resources. This year's theme is Water and Food Security. Visit this website to learn about all of the ways in which water is directly related to food security.

Here are some things you can do to help:

Eat fewer animal products, as they are highly water-intensive to produce.
Eat fewer packaged products. Packaging uses a lot of water as well.
Don't waste food. Thirty percent of the food produced worldwide goes to waste -- think about all of the water that goes into producing that food!
Check out these resources to learn more about reducing food waste, new methods of conserving and reusing water in food production, and ways to consume less water-intensive products!

MARCH EVENTS

March 6: TTF at the Philadelphia International Flower Show

Join TTF's Julie Slavet, along with Julie Hendrickson and Rod Ritchie from AKRF to learn about the lessons learned from designing and planting a community rain garden in Germantown's historic Vernon Park. You'll also learn tips for planting a rain garden at your home or in your community. We hope to see you there!

DATE: Tuesday, March 6, 2012

TIME: 4:00 p.m.

PLACE: Gardener's Studio, Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2299

COST: FREE with Flower Show Admission

CONTACT: Find more information here.

March 13: Germantown/West Oak Lane Tree Surveying

Volunteers needed! We will be conducting a Tree Survey in Germantown and West Oak Lane. Join us to survey street trees/open tree pits, and help clean up the neighborhood.

DATE: Tuesday, March 13, 2012

TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Meet at the Rite Aide parking lot: 7401 Ogontz Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138
CONTACT: Dan Brown at 301-730-0280 or [email protected]

March 14: Vernon Park Cleanup Day [Partner Event]
Join the Friends of Vernon Park for this biweekly cleanup! There are a variety of tasks to help with, including picking up trash, raking leaves, building fences and weeding gardens.
DATE: Wednesday, March 14, 2012
TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
PLACE: Vernon Park, 5818 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19144
CONTACT: Ruth Seeley at [email protected]

March 14: Rain Barrel Workshop [Partner Event]

Be one of 2,600 Philadelphians to get a rain barrel! All Philadelphia residents who attend this workshop will be able to apply for a rain barrel, which will be manufactured, delivered, and installed for FREE by the Energy Coordinating Agency. Speakers include Aaron Slater from the Energy Coordinating Agency and Janet Bernstein from the Frankford Garden Club.

DATE: Wednesday, March 14, 2012

TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

PLACE: Frankford Library, 4634 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19124 (Frankford Avenue & Overington Street)

CONTACT: Janet Bernstein at 267-982-9620 or [email protected]

March 19: Trees for Frankford Workshop [Partner Event]

Speaker: Mindy Maslin from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Learn about the benefits of trees in your neighborhood, the Tree Philly campaign, and the basics of planting and caring for trees.

DATE: Monday, March 19, 2012

TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

PLACE: Frankford Library, 4634 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19124 (Frankford Avenue & Overington Street)

CONTACT: Janet Bernstein at 267-982-9620 or [email protected]

March 22: Soak It Up, Philly
Soak It Up, Philly! events offer opportunities for Philadelphians to experience the Philadelphia Water Department's newest green stormwater management projects -- green streets. The Soak It Up, Philly! celebrations will include tours of the green street features, ribbon cuttings with your favorite Philadelphia dignitaries, flower plantings, art activities, music, snacks and more! These specially designed street features are a component of Green City, Clean Waters, the City's innovative and environmentally sustainable plan to improve the health of our waterways through a primarily green approach. Please join us in Germantown as we celebrate Belfield Avenue, our new neighborhood green street!
DATE: Thursday, March 22, 2012
TIME: 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
PLACE: Belfield Avenue between Chew Avenue and Walnut Lane in Germantown
CONTACT: Ashley Schmid at [email protected]

March 26: Watershed Talk at the Frankford Library
TTF's Stephanie Clymer will provide an overview of current TTF watershed health, issues, programs, and what we can all do to make a positive difference.
DATE: Monday, March 26, 2012
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
PLACE: Frankford Library, 4634 Frankford Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19124 (Frankford Avenue & Overington Street)
CONTACT: Janet Bernstein at 267-982-9620 or [email protected]

View more upcoming events on our Events Calendar!

REMEMBER!

Here are some important opportunities you won't want to miss!

March 15: Deadline for Rain Check Applications. Rain Check is a pilot program where the Philadelphia Water Department shares the cost with homeowners of specific residential landscaping improvements that help manage rainwater and beautify homes. By managing water through these green practices, you can make a difference in protecting our waterways! If you live in Germantown or Frankford and wish to participate in the program, contact Ashley Schmid at [email protected] or 215-844-8100.

March 26: Deadline for Street Tree Planting Applications. Philadelphia residents: would you like a street tree planted in front of your house? Be sure to fill out an application so you don't miss this opportunity! Approved trees will be planted by volunteers during one of the future spring or fall planting days. The PHS Philadelphia Tree Planting Program supports neighborhood tree planting by supplying trees and services to help prepare planting locations. Contact Steph Clymer at 215-844-8100 or [email protected].

March 31: Deadline for Stormwater Management Incentives Program (SMIP) Grant. The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) are offering grants that will allow businesses, nonprofit organizations and other non-residential customers to reduce their stormwater rates by providing funding for the design and implementation of these green infrastructure projects. Find more information here.

April 18: 5% day at Jenkintown Whole Foods. TTF staff members will be giving short presentations on watershed issues at locations throughout the store. You can support TTF just by doing your grocery shopping at the Jenkintown Whole Foods that day!

Rolling Deadline: Get a rain barrel! Rain barrels are storage containers that collect rainwater from downspouts. Rain barrels allow you to use rainwater for some outdoor activities instead of paying for tap water. The Energy Coordinating Agency is giving away FREE rain barrels. If you are interested, you will need to attend a rain barrel workshop. Sign up here or contact Aaron Slater at [email protected].

Rolling Deadline: Get a downspout planter! A downspout planter is a decorative planter filled with gravel, soil and vegetation that uses rainfall from the roof as irrigation. If you live in Philadelphia and make less than $45,000 per year, you may be eligible for a free downspout planter. Income limit varies with household size. Download the application here and contact Mike Verla with Rebuilding Together Philadelphia at [email protected] or 215-965-0777.

TTF's mission is to enhance the health and vitality of the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Creek and its watershed. We initiate and support efforts to restore the health of the watershed, and to mobilize our communities as watershed stewards through community outreach, networking, educational programs, and project coordination and implementation.

Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Inc.
phone: 215-844-8100 email: [email protected] web: www.ttfwatershed.org

DONATE TO TTF!