TTF supports tree planting efforts because trees improve the health of our watershed. In 2010, TTF started the Wingohocking Tree Tenders, which we then merged into the Germantown Tree Tenders (GTT). As part of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Tree Tenders@ program, this group has grown, attracting new energy and enthusiasm.  

We are delighted to announce that Aine Doley, block captain of Germantown's West Rockland Street, is GTT's new leader. She will bring her strong skills and expertise as a marketing professional and block captain to her new leadership role. We expect to her to green Germantown in no time!    

If you want to become involved in GTT or are interested in applying for a street tree, email Aine at aine.doley@gmail.com. 

1. We Hate To Waste: A new blog that proclaims, "We're your mother and uncles and sisters and friends, we're passionate about ridding the world of waste. Maybe we can inspire you to fix, mend, share and refill, too." This site offers helpful tips and tricks for being smarter about your waste. 
2. Green Philly Blog: The women who run Green Philly Blog keep you informed about the City of Brotherly Love's environmental scene. Posts like "Philly's 6 Best Green (& Sustainable) Initiatives of 2012" keep you in the know about exciting citywide projects.  
3. Sustainablog: From business to living, this blog touches on every aspect of sustainability. This is the blog for getting news from all around the world. 

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) and Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) have created the

Stormwater Management Incentives Program (SMIP) to offer incentives and assistance to non-residential PWD customers. 

This program aims to stimulate investment in and utilization of stormwater best management practices, which reduce a parcel's stormwater contribution to the City's sewer and surrounding waterways. The grant will provide financial assistance to businesses, institutions and other non-residential property owners customers to reduce their stormwater charges by designing and constructing green infrastructure projects to manage private property runoff.

The SMIP Grant application period opened on December 3rd, 2012 and closes February 1st, 2013. 

The Philadelphia Water Department invites you to attend one of their monthly meetings to learn more about how Green City, Clean Waters is transforming Philadelphia's neighborhoods by managing stormwater in parks, schools, streets, homes and businesses.

On the second Wednesday of every month, you can learn about Green City, Clean Waters and how you can be involved in potential projects. This is a great opportunity to get updates, provide feedback on projects in your neighborhood and meet others interested in transforming the City with green stormwater projects. Learn about:

•   Green City, Clean Waters 
•   Green Parks 
•   Green Streets 
•   Green Homes 
•   Community Input Form 

Meetings are held at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building (1401 JFK Boulevard) on the 16th floor in Room Y. These regular monthly meetings are open to the public. Please let PWD know if you plan to attend to ensure that they have details on projects in your community. RSVP online: http://www.phillywatersheds.org/monthlymeeting by the third Tuesday of every month. 

In December, the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center (FWWIC), Fund for the Water Works Board and FWWIC Advisory Council welcomed journalist and author, Alex Prud'homme, to speak about his book The Ripple Effect. 

Prud'homme described the journey that led him to writeThe Ripple Effect. He talked about our need to take another look at our relationship with water after passing and implementing the Clean Water Act forty years ago. Water underlies every resource discussion. His book walks us through answers to questions including: What are we drinking? Why are we facing droughts...and flooding? And most critically, How are we going to use water in the future? We have the tools, we just need the will to solve these problems.

Kudos to the FWWIC for hosting this valuable presentation! Check out the book (which you can buy through TTF's Amazon account) and the movie it inspired--  Last Call at the Oasis.

Please note: Outdoor events are canceled in the case of heavy rain. Please check the TTF Events calendar for updated information. 

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY OF SERVICE AT TACONY CREEK PARK 

Join TTF for a MLK Day of Service cleanup at Tacony Creek Park. Cleanup materials and snacks will be provided. FREE t-shirts to the first 50 volunteers to sign up. Sign up at the official Martin Luther King Day of Service site by searching TTF's zip code 19138 for TTF's service project. 

DATE: Monday, January 21

TIME: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

PLACE: Tacony Creek Park at Friends Hospital,4641 Roosevelt Blvd., Phila. 19124

CONTACT: Alix Howard at alix@ttfwatershed.org / 215.844.8100

Partner Events 

PHILADELPHIA 2035: THE FUTURE IS NOW

Join the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to celebrate what we've already accomplished together. Look ahead toward achieving the goals of Philadelphia2035. Hear a quick update about progress. Engage in a lively panel discussion moderated by PennDesign Dean Marilyn Jordan Taylor. Reception follows (food, drink, and a fun give-away). Limited seating. Register early.  

DATE: Thursday, January 10

TIME: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

PLACE: The Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch Street

CONTACT: Eventbrite 

WHOLE FOODS ELECTRONICS RECYCLING COLLECTION

Whole Foods Market is partnering with E-Force Compliance, a Philadelphia area recycling company with a mission, to recycle hard to recycle materials. E-Force Compliance will be collecting "anything with a plug" to help keep electronic waste out of our landfills.

DATE: Saturday, February 2

TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PLACE: Jenkintown Whole Foods, 1575 The Fairway, Jenkintown, PA 19046 

CONTACT: Whole Foods, 215-481-0800 or wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/jenkintown 

PHS/Penn State Extension Tree Tender Online Short Course 

Become a PHS Tree Tender Online! A 7-week short course delivered online, meeting on Thursdays beginning January 31 and ending March 14, 2013. Deadline for sign-up is January 25, 2013. For more information, visit here. 

DATE: January 31 to March 14

TIME: Two seminar times are provided for convenience - noon and 7:00 PM.

CONTACT: ExtensionCVENT@ag.psu.edu