Take the Plunge into Watershed Opportunities!

Dear Friends:

Watershed Milestones Award Ceremony & Reception
It's not too early to start thinking about what you're going to bid on at our wonderful Silent Auction at our Second Annual Watershed Milestones Award Ceremony & Reception in May. But...before you know it, it will be too late to nominate someone for a Watershed Award or sign up to be a Sponsor! This exciting event will be a success once again because of your participation. See below for more information on nominations and sponsorship. And thank you to our first sponsors to pledge, all at the Patron level:
AKRF Inc.
Campbell Thomas & Co.
NAM Planning and Design, LLC
Weeds, Inc.

Awbury's Beth Miner
& TTF's Julie Slavet

Community Service Breakfast
Our second gathering of community service coordinators was productive and fun! Attendees from organizations and colleges got a chance to hear how they can be involved in improving our watershed and be part of the green infrastructure movement here in Philadelphia. Thank you to attendees and the Awbury Arboretum Association, our host and partner. If you missed the breakfast, don't hesitate to call Alix Howard to learn how you can work with us. Visit our blog here.

Annual Fund
We continue to count on you for your support of our watershed improvement programs. Thank you to the following recent donors:
Heritage Conservancy
Fred Lewis
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
TD Bank
Willow Bend Apartments

On behalf of the TTF team, thank you for your attention and don't hesitate to call!

Best,

Julie

Julie Slavet, Executive Director

AND THE NOMINEES ARE...WATERSHED MILESTONES AWARDS OPEN!

TTF is looking for some great people, organizations, public agencies, and companies whose efforts in improving and protecting the TTF watershed deserve special recognition. Nominees must live, work, or have completed projects within the TTF watershed.

Awards will be given in the categories described, although candidates may not be selected in every category. Awards will be presented at our second annual Watershed Milestones Award Ceremony & Reception on Wednesday, May 22 at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center in Philadelphia. Nominations are due by March 22, 2013.

Find our nominations form here. See last year's award winners here.

TTF TASK FORCE TACKLES TRASH

TTF has established a Trash Task Force to build on past cleanup and stewardship activities to create momentum around cleaning our parks and waterways.

In an effort to address litter and illegal dumping in our watershed, we hope to mobilize and inspire the communities around our parks and streams to promote positive changes that will ensure the health and cleanliness of our ecosystems and water.

Led by Board member Kelly O'Day, TTF is working with a growing list of partners on this initiative, including the Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, United by Blue, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, the Scattergood Foundation, Cheltenham Township, and AKRF, Inc.

Join us for one or all of our events in Tacony Creek Park this April!

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO! HEALTHY TRAILS 5K RUN & WALK

The first annual Healthy Trails 5k Run & Walk will be Healthy Trails 5k Tacony Creek Park TTF held on Saturday, April 27 in Tacony Creek Park (TCP).

The Healthy Trails 5k Run & Walk is a partnership among PPR, Scattergood Foundation, Friends Hospital, TTF, and Fairmount Park Conservancy to promote community access and healthy activity in TCP. The run will take place along a new portion of the park's trail, which crosses Friends Hospital's magnificent 100-acre campus.

As a result of a partnership with PPR, the first 60 runners to register for the Healthy Trails 5k will receive an exclusive opportunity to purchase a bib in the 2013 Blue Cross Broad Street Run. Runners are required to run in the Healthy Trails 5K Run in order to obtain their bib for the Broad Street Run.

In conjunction with the run/walk, there will be a Health Fair & Community Day on the Hospital grounds featuring health information tables, games and prizes, as well family festivities, including a special appearance by Kathy O'Connell, host of WXPN's "Kid's Corner."

Proceeds from both the Healthy Trails 5k Run & Walk and Health Fair & Community Day will directly benefit the community by supporting safety promotion and continued healthy, family oriented activity in TCP.

Visit here to register or sponsor!

ABINGTON BUFFER GROWS!

TTF is proud to announce that we have received a Treevitalize Watershed grant for the
second phase of the East Baeder Creek buffer project at Abington Junior High School. This creek is one of two critical headwaters of the TTF creek system located on the Abington School District (ASD) campus.
Buffer planting

Riparian buffers help absorb and filter rainwater before it reaches the creek. Rainwater carries chemicals, trash, and other materials over playing fields and parking lots into storm drains and creeks, adversely impacting waterways, plants, and wildlife.

We look forward to working once again with our enthusiastic host and partners: ASD administration, faculty, and students as well as the Abington EAC (Environmental Advisory Committee) and Briar Bush Nature Center. Watch The Source for more information!

TreeVitalize Watershed grants are made possible by Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) through funding from the Department of Environmental Protection and Aqua Pennsylvania. Thank you to the Montgomery Conservation District for your help!

ACOE TACONY CREEK FLOOD STUDY CONTINUES

In February, the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) heldtwo meetings as part of theirCheltenham Township flood damage reduction study. The first meeting was a public meeting to update township residents about phase one of the flood damage feasibility study. See here for the coverage of this meeting provided by Montgomery Media.

In addition, the ACOE held a flood mitigation workshop for federal, state, and local officials to identify and consider a range of alternatives such as structural and non-structural measures. TTF Executive Director Julie Slavet participated in this well attended workshop.

The ACOE has developed an informative Project Website.

FEATURED TTF BOARD MEMBER: BETH PILLING

Beth Pilling is a Senior Planner with the Montgomery County Planning Commission (MCPC). Over the last 17 years,

lshe has focused on open space planning and projects for the County and municipalities, facilitation of the County's Open Space grant programs, collaboration with various non-profit organizations, and regional greening projects.

Prior to joining MCPC, Beth used her training in landscape architecture as adjunct faculty in Temple University's Department of Landscape Architecture, as a landscape designer for a Bucks County engineering firm, as an extension urban forester, and as a special projects designer for PECO Energy. She recently completed a ten-year membership on Lower Gwynedd Township's Planning Commission and continues her long-term role as a Trustee of Historical Society of Montgomery County.

Beth is assisting TTF to expand our riparian buffer efforts with a variety of stakeholders in our Montgomery County communities.

GETTING OUR HANDS WET WITH BRIAR BUSH NATURE CENTER

Abington's Briar Bush Nature Center was awarded an Environmental Protection Agency grant from the National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC) to support community-based environmental education projects aimed at empowering people to take better care of their local environment. EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin congratulated Briar Bush Nature Center and the other award winners at a ceremony hosted at the Nature Center last month.

Briar Bush will create a group of environmental stewards from local upper-elementary, middle and high school students to work on improving the quality of local creeks, streams and wetlands, and advocate for others in the community to get involved. TTF looks forward to partnering with BBNC on this exciting program to build a corps of young watershed heroes!

ROCK CREEK GREENWAY PLAN UPDATE

Temple University has been working with Cheltenham Township to develop designs for a Greenway along Rock Creek. Temple Master of Landscape Architecture students presented final design concepts to the Parks and Recreation Committee for review in February.

Cheltenham Township hopes to restore, beautify and connect the community to Rock Creek Park. The proposed Rock Creek Park Greenway focuses on reducing the effects of storm flooding, while restoring native plant communities along the creek and preserving natural resources.

The Board of Commissioners will determine implementation of the plan's concepts based on community input and financial assistance from state or federal grants. Having this plan enables the Township to be more competitive when seeking grant funding.

TTF looks forward to helping to realize one of these visions for restoring our creek and watershed. Thank you again, Temple University!

RING IN SPRING WITH A FREE YARD TREE FROM TREEPHILLY!

Thanks to partners Wells Fargo and the Fairmount Park Conservancy, TreePhilly is proud to offer FREE trees to Philadelphia property owners again this spring:

Choose between 9 different pickup events when you register. Mark your calendar so you don't forget to come get your tree!
Get up to two trees per address and up to ten trees if you are planting on a private property that has a community use, like a faith-based institution or a senior center!
Free mulch will be available at most of the giveaway events, so bring home enough for your new tree!
After you watch the tree planting and care demonstration, get a free raffle ticket and enter to win a slow release watering bag for your new tree ($25 value)!
There's free delivery and planting for people with limited mobility! There are only a few slots available, so click here to download the application.

Registration Deadline is Wednesday, April 1st. Register here!

MARCH EVENTS

Please note: TTF's outdoor events are canceled in the case of heavy rain. Please check the

TTF Events calendar for updated information.

DOWNSPOUT PLANTER WORKSHOP

Come learn about downspout planters! Downspout planters are flower boxes that use rain from your roof to water flowers. Rebuilding Together Philadelphia can provide FREE downspout planters to those who are eligible.

DATE: Saturday, March 30

TIME: 2 p.m.

PLACE: Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Rd., Philadelphia 19138

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

WATERSHED HEROES LESSON

Be part of TTF's exciting new Watershed Heroes program and become a leader in improving our watershed! By attending this watershed lesson, you will learn vital information about the water cycle and your watershed. Light dinner provided.

DATE: Thursday, March 21

TIME: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

PLACE: Awbury Arboretum, 1 Awbury Rd., Philadelphia 19138

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

APRIL EVENTS

CLEAN-UP DAY IN TACONY CREEK PARK

Help us make Tacony Creek Park beautiful! Supplies and snacks will be

provided.

DATE: Saturday, April 6

TIME: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

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

LIVING STREAMSIDE WORKSHOP

This workshop will provide information on our watershed, the importance of stream health, and the impact of runoff. It will focus on steps to promote healthy streams including the benefits of native plants and riparian buffers, using examples of local projects. The first in a series that will include a Rain Barrel Workshop & Super Sale (Saturday, April 13), How to Build a Rain Garden (April 14) and a tree workshop funded through a WREN grant.
SPONSOR: Friends of High School Park
DATE: Saturday, April 6
TIME: 2:00 p.m.

PLACE: LaMott Community Center, 7420 Sycamore Lane, Elkins Park 19027
CONTACT: Friends of High School Park, 215.782.8082

PHILLY SPRING CLEAN

Philly Spring Clean is a citywide beautification effort! Join us to pick up trash and

mark storm drains in neighborhoods around Tacony Creek Park. Wear comfortable

walking shoes; supplies and snacks will be provided.

DATE: Saturday, April 13

TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PLACE: Tacony Creek Park, Meet-up spot TBA

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

EARTH DAY STORM DRAIN MARKING

Join us in celebrating Earth Day by marking storm drains around Tacony Creek

Park. Wear comfortable walking shoes; supplies and snacks will be

provided.

DATE: Monday, April 22

TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

PLACE: Tacony Creek Park, Meet-up spot TBA

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

HEALTHY TRAILS 5k WALK/RUN

Join us for a run/walk in Tacony Creek Park! All proceeds from this event will go directly to future improvements and activities in TCP. All ages are welcome to run or walk and enjoy the FREE family fun fair held on the grounds of Friends Hospital.

DATE: Saturday, April 27

TIME: 8:00 a.m.

PLACE: Tacony Creek Park, Friends Hospital, 4641 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia 19124

CONTACT: Register and/or sponsor here.

Partner Events

2013 PHS PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW

2013's Flower Show theme "Brilliant!" takes visitors from royal palaces to the dark and foggy streetscapes of Jack the Ripper. The whimsy of the Mad Hatter's tea party, the coziness of a country cottage, and the refinement of a manicured cricket club will all come together for a whirlwind tour of the UK.

DATE: Saturday, March 2 to Sunday, March 10
TIME: Schedule info here
PLACE: Pennsylvania Convention Center at 12th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia 19107

INFILL PHILADELPHIA: SOAK IT UP! DESIGN AWARDS

Celebrate the innovative ideas generated by this national interdisciplinary design competition with a reception in the Hall of Dinosaurs, an exhibition of all competition entries, rapid-fire presentations by the nine finalists, and $10,000 prizes for three winning teams. Purchase tickets here.

DATE: Thursday, March 7, 2013
TIME: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

PLACE: Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

CONTACT: Community Design Collaborative at info@cdesignc.org/215.587.9290

GREEN CITY, CLEAN WATERS INFO SESSION

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

TIME: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

PLACE: Municipal Services Building, 16th Flr, Room C, 1401 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia 19102

CONTACT: RSVP here.

VERNON PARK SPRING CLEANING

Join Friends of Vernon Park in preparing the Vernon Park rain garden for spring! Assist with clearing out the water channels and garden of leaves. See all the new growth. If you haven't been involved in a rain garden before come early at 9:50 am to hear about how it fits into storm water management and makes the entryway to Center in the Park beautiful!

DATE: Wednesday, March 13

TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.

PLACE: Vernon Park, 5818 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia 19144

CONTACT: Molly Finch at molly@ttfwatershed.org/215.844.8100

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT-SPECTACULAR FEAST - "WE ARE THE SOLUTION"

Help Abington Senior High School H2O FOR LIFE Club and The Eastern Center of Arts and Technology raise funds necessary to complete water projects to bring clean water to their partner schools. Tickets: $15.

DATE: Thursday, March 14

TIME: 6:00 p.m.

PLACE: Eastern Center for Arts & Technology, 3075 Terwood Rd, Willow Grove, 19090

CONTACT: To purchase tickets, contact Mary Rodgers at 215.884.4700, ext. 2165

WORLD WATER DAY 5k

The Walk was started by Keiyo Soy Ministries (KSM), an organization dedicated to raising funds to combat the urgent need for clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education in the Kerio Valley in the Rift Valley Province of northern Kenya. Awards to top 3 overall, plus age group prizes. After party at Philadelphia Water Works.

DATE: Saturday, March 23

TIME: 9 a.m.

PLACE: West River/Martin Luther King Drive, Philadelphia, 19130

CONTACT: 267.528.8285

PRIMEX GARDEN CENTER 70th ANNIVERSARY KICK-OFF CELEBRATION

Save the date for Primex Garden Center's Kick-off Celebration! Spring Sale, Music, Food, Prizes and Fun!

DATE: Saturday, March 23 & Sunday, March 24

TIME: TBA

PLACE: Primex Garden Center, 435 W Glenside Ave.,Glenside, PA 19038

CONTACT: Primex Garden Center at 215-887-7500

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 projects.

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

DONATE TO TTF!