May 2015
Message from the Executive Director

 

It's here! The aquaponics greenhouse we have talked so much about is a reality and we can't wait to put it into action! We are deeply grateful for the generosity of all the individuals, foundations and corporations who made this idea a reality. Your investment promises to deliver important environmental and educational outcomes using a unique platform.

 

In line with the goals of contemporary science learning, aquaponics in education will give students an opportunity for hands on learning that will convey new ideas and actively engage students. It is a living teaching tool that can be applied to academic subjects.


As some of you know, aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics to grow fish and plants together in a symbiotic system. Fish waste provides nutrients for the plants and the plants filter the water for the fish. Aquaponic food production is a sustainable alternative to traditional methods of agriculture, using just a fraction of the amount of water that a traditional farm requires and no chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.

Aquaponics is valued because it offers a unique and fun interdisciplinary approach that delivers on academic subjects, it provides an integrated and experiential learning opportunity and it connects to global trends in agriculture that affects everyone on this planet. It's a tool that Riverbend can and will use in our existing programs and will enable the development of innovative and creative connections with the students, families and the community in new programs.
 

Aquaponics Leadership Gifts

 

25th Century Foundation

The Ed Snider Foundation

PECO

Deborah & Nicholas Adams * Sally & Peter Sharkey

 

Aquaponic Donors

 

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Check out what fun facts we discovered in 2014 with our 

 


Summer Solstice Celebration
June 19th
6:00 pm- 8:30 pm

Stream Stomp
June 27th
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Family Camp Out
July 10th- 11th
6:00 pm - 9:00 am

Teen Volunteer Program
Do you want to help the environment and learn about working at a nature center?  This summer we are organizing a weekly volunteer day for students aged 13 and up. For questions contact Property and Volunteer Manager




Be a Part of Our Family!


Save the Date for our annual Summer Solstice Celebration!
June 19th  6:00-8:30 pm

 

Bring your family and friends to our annual summer solstice celebration. This fun event will include pond exploration, a beekeeping demonstration, field games, arts & crafts with Wayne Arts Center and more. 

 

Finish the night off around our stone story circle campfire toasting marshmallows and enjoy light refreshments all night long courtesy of Whole Foods Market in Wynnewood


 

Cost: $15.00 donation per family*

* The event is free to members of Riverbend. Become a member today!

 

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Please welcome our newest Board Members!
Joshua Bailer, Doreen Masalta and Jimmy Owens

 

We are so pleased to announce that
Joshua Bailer, Doreen Masalta and Jimmy Owens have been elected as Riverbend's newest serving members of the Board of Directors.
 

 

Josh is a Senior Trader at Sunoco and will be

serving on our Development Committee. Doreen is the Director of Operations at PECO and will be serving on our Property committee. Finally, Jimmy Owens is the Vice President of Business Development at the Philadelphia Horticultural Society. He will be joining Josh on our Development committee. 

 

We warmly welcome these new Board members and thank them for their commitment to our mission. We are grateful for their wisdom and expertise that will contribute to Riverbend's future accomplishments.  


 

 

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Meet Our Donors: Peter Grove

Riverbend's donors are a dedicated and inspiring group of people that support bringing children closer to nature through hands-on learning. Learn more about the people who make our work possible!

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I was born in England, trained in horticulture, was a volunteer in the SAS (Special Air Service), cycled from London to Athens, worked on an oil tanker, paid off in the US, bicycled from Portland, ME, to Los Angeles, CA, via Canada, returned to England on a Swedish freighter, hitchhiked to Bihar, India, and worked with "untouchables" sinking irrigation wells for 2 years, where I met my wife, Nancy, under the Bhodhi Tree.  Returning to the US, I volunteered at the Schuylkill Valley Nature Center, attended "MontCo", UPenn and UPenn Grad School of Ed, taught for 3 years at Miquon. I then traveled with Nancy around the world again, returned and spent 5 years as director of the Norris Square Neighborhood Project (Kensington). Since 1987 I have taught science at Friends' Central Lower School. We have a son and daughter, two delightful in-laws and a granddaughter.


 

You've been a donor for 20 years this year, serving on Riverbend's board from 1998 through 2006, what inspired you to stay actively involved?

Every community needs a "Riverbend"!

Laurie (Executive Director) and her amazing staff are inspiring! Riverbend has seen some tough times. It was their great strength and that of some outstanding board members and volunteers that pulled them through.


 

What have you most enjoyed at Riverbend?

I love the amount of energy there. Riverbend just gets better and better. The installation of the deer fence, clearing invasives, and the construction of the bird observation area (Alec Williamson Bird Observation Center) were all great steps forward in creating a thriving habitat. I have also enjoyed being the Halloween storyteller for many, many years.


 

In your spare time, what do you enjoy doing?

For quite a few years I have been trail master for BTA (Bridlewild Trails Association), am on their board and the board of Saunders Woods. I love to garden and am working to establish an extensive new children's garden at FCS Lower School.  I like to fly fish, travel and read. I've begun writing my memoirs and various stories. My wife reminds me to enjoy myself and relax but I'm happiest when I'm working.

 


 

We're striving to make things more ecofriendly. In other words, we strive to do more--with less. Tell me about a way you strive to do that in your life.

We drive energy efficient cars, keep our thermostat low, do not have air conditioning but use fans. We have a high efficiency, log-burning fireplace insert to heat the house, have created a water garden to minimize storm water runoff and have planted a wide range of plants with birds and butterflies in mind.  (Ditto at school) We also feed the birds both at home and at school and have put up nesting boxes.


 

What is your favorite part about nature? Do you have a specific memory that stands out and if so, can you tell us about it?

Nature is connected to me. I fell in love with it as a kid. My family was known as the "River Family." For 380 man years my family has been connected to the River Wey (a tributary to the Thames). It's in my blood. I grew up surrounded by trees and I would often stand in the garden and watch the animals all around me. My family didn't have a car, TV, telephone or refrigerator but we were still so happy and I have so many great memories of a happy childhood outside. In later years, we've walked the Milford Track, the Pilgrim's Way, the Inca Trail, and have climbed Kinabalu.

 

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Calling all Philly Teachers!

Summer Inquiry Science Institute 
August 10th-14th
 
Riverbend, in partnership with the Franklin Institute, is once again offering a week-long professional development for K-5th grade teachers in the School District of Philadelphia. Part of our Philadelphia Children Access Nature program, this opportunity will immerse teachers in science as we explore how inquiry science can look in the classroom. Find out more on our Science Inquiry Info Sheet

Questions? please contact Director of Education Stacy Carr-Poole at  scarr@riverbendeec.org or 610-527-5234 x108.
 

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Outdoor Classroom & Boardwalk Renewal

 

BEFORE

The Charles Lieberman Outdoor Classroom, built in 1993, is a hub of activity and provides invaluable space to host countless programs. Thanks to a generous grant from the McLean Contributionship, some nice improvements were made this spring- just in time for our busy field trip season and summer camp!


 

AFTER

We replaced the aging boardwalk with composite decking that is more durable and safe. The wood railings along the boardwalk and around the classroom were replaced and upgraded to match existing iron railings around the deck, providing a much improved view of the Alec Williamson Bird Observation Area. Finally, we added lighting and electrical outlets so evening programs are enhanced.


 

We look forward to many more years of service from this space that is so essential to Riverbend's operations.


 

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Eco Activity: Thank you pollinators!

 

Bzzzz.... Bzzzz.... Many start noticing that spring has arrived when they hear the first sounds of bees buzzing around the yard. These busy little ladies along with hummingbirds, fruit bats, butterflies, beetles, and even ants, play a critical role in pollination and are to thank for at least one out of every three bites of food! Spring is a great time of the year to introduce children to the concept of pollination with all the beautiful flowers blooming and attracting local pollinators to your yard. Check out this fun way to help children understand pollination and enjoy a special snack at the same time! 


 

Set up: For this activity you will need to purchase Cheetos or a similar product and print out a couple pictures of flowers. Next place a handful of Cheetos on each flower and a juice box or small cup of juice in the center.

 

Background Information: Explain to the children that they are going to pretend that they are bees. Bees are attracted to flowers to drink nectar, a sweet sugary substance in the flower (the juice). When pollinators visit the flowers for nectar, pollen granules stick to their bodies (the Cheetos dust). As the pollinator moves from one flower to the next a little bit of that pollen falls off onto the new flower. This is pollination! Once pollen is transferred from one flower to the next they can produce a seed! Seeds give us new plants and delicious fruits and vegetables! 

 

Do it: As the children visit each flower, they will drink some nectar "juice" and snack on a couple Cheetos. After visiting their first flower, their fingers will be covered in Cheeto dust "pollen"! Each time they visit a new flower they should wipe some Cheeto dust "pollen" on the new flower and pollinate it! At the end discuss with the children which flowers were pollinated? Which were not? Go outside and spend some time observing flowers in the yard. If you see a pollinator, don't forget to tell them thank you!
 

 

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Behind the 'Bend
Here is a sneak peak at the inside of our Aquaponics Greenhouse. This picture shows our 5 growing beds (and fish tank)  where plants will soon be growing!