Recently, TTF received some wonderful recognition from across our watershed! We love what we do here, but it is so nice to be honored...and it helps us spread the word even further about our important work!
EMCCC Non-Profit of the Year The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has named us Non-Profit of the Year through its Annual Business & Community Awards program! We'll receive this honor at the Chamber's annual celebration on May 16 at Manufacturers' Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington. Thank you to Situs Properties, our award sponsor.
Green Philly Blog As Executive Director, I was so honored to be featured by Green Philly Blog as one of five Philadelphia female sustainability leaders. This august group included Sandy Bauers (Environment reporter, Philadelphia Inquirer), Sisters Mary Elizabeth Clark (Director of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Earth Center and Special Assistant to the President of Chestnut Hill in Green Sustainability Task Force) and Miriam MacGillis (founder ofGenesis farm), Katherine Gajewski (Director, Mayor's Office of Sustainability), and Nicole Koedyker (President, Drexel University Sierra Club).
Watershed Milestones Watch your inbox for the announcement of our 2013 Honorees! We received quite a few nominations, and are looking forward to applauding the work of these individuals and organizations at our Awards Ceremony & Reception on May 22 at the beautiful Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center. We hope to see you there!
For those of us who remember the first Earth Day as well as those too young to remember: Happy Earth month! It's exciting to see how this single day has grown, with so many events scheduled throughout April. See you at the creek!
Julie
Julie Slavet, Executive Director
DON'T MISS THIS WATERSHED MILESTONES OPPORTUNITY!
Join us again this year by attending or sponsoring our second annual Watershed Milestones Award Ceremony & Reception on Wednesday, May 22 at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center (FWWIC) in Philadelphia. We will honor watershed leaders, meet new friends, and celebrate our successes.
Sponsorships are available at three levels: Advocate, Ambassador, and Patron. Sponsorship offers a variety of valuable benefits while supporting our efforts to protect our creeks and communities through environmental education and outreach, as well as restoration projects. We're working hard to restore the health of the watershed and mobilize our communities as watershed stewards. We can't do it without your participation and sponsorship!
The Healthy Trails 5k Run & Walk is a partnership among Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Scattergood Foundation, Friends Hospital, Fairmount Park Conservancy, and TTF to promote community access and healthy activity in TCP. The run will take place along a new part of the park's trail which crosses Friends Hospital's magnificent 100-acre campus.
The first 60 runners to register will receive an exclusive opportunity to purchase a bib in the 2013 Blue Cross Broad Street Runas a result of a special collaboration with PPR. You are required to run in the Healthy Trails 5K Run in order to obtain your bib for the Broad Street Run.
Join us for the Health Fair & Community Day on the Hospital grounds featuring health information tables, games and prizes, as well family festivities, including a special appearance by Miss Amy, in conjunction with the run/walk.
Proceeds from both the Healthy Trails 5k Run & Walk and Health Fair & Community Day will directly benefit community future safety promotion and healthy, family oriented activity in TCP.
TTF is hosting many events in TCP, so stop by to help out and see the new additions to the park! See event details below.
CLEAN WATER: IT'S EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS
Businesses are critical stakeholders when it comes to managing stormwater. Local businesses - both large and small - can help to reduce water pollution and flooding as part of our watershed-wide effort.Through the Clean Water Partners program, local
business owners learn inexpensive ways to reduce water pollution and manage runoff on commercial properties.
Water pollution reduction measures include dry methods of cleaning and proper waste disposal. Runoff management measures include using green infrastructure such as rain gardens, swales, and rain barrels to capture and slow down water when it rains.
Interested in hosting a FREE Clean Water Partners presentation at your business or organization? Contact [email protected] to schedule. Attendees will receive a Clean Water Partners handbook and this decal to display at their place of business.
BEST WISHES TO ABBY & INTERNS
Abby Grosslein
This month, we say thank you and best wishes to Abby Grosslein, our Tree CampaignOrganizer through Americorps VISTA. Abby was instrumental in our efforts to grow the Germantown Tree Tenders� PHS group and survey West Oak Lane for PPR's TreePhilly initiative.She accomplished both tasks: GTT has a new amazing leader, Aine Doley -- and hundreds of trees will be planted this spring! Abby is also completing a tree guide for our watershed. Abby will be continuing as the Neighboring VISTA in the Seventh Ward with Hands On in New Orleans.
We'd also like recognize Arcadia University student interns Nunzio Cimino, Holly Draine, Ariel Murphy, and Michael Stackhouse who provided us with critical event, communications, and administrative support this year. We wish them the best!
LOOKING FOR AN INTERNSHIP?
Intern with TTF! We offer year-round internship opportunities. We accept graduate, college or exceptional high school students with:
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
Interest in our mission to improve the health of our urban watershed.
Our work style is fast-paced and team-oriented, so we look for people who enjoy and excel at working in groups. Many of our events are held outdoors, so interns should like to get out and get dirty! Minimum commitment is 10 hours per week.
TTF is committed to providing a supportive and educational internship experience. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Contact Alix Howard at 215-844-8100/[email protected].
FEATURED TTF BOARD MEMBER: PATRICK STARR
Pennsylania Environmental Council's Patrick Starr serves as Senior Vice President of the (PEC), leading the southeast regional office. Patrick directs the Tidal Delaware Initiative, East Coast Greenway, Urban Stormwater Management and Philadelphia Sustainability. Patrick serves on numerous task forces and boards including Mayor Nutter's Sustainability Advisory Board, Delaware River City Corporation, the Central Delaware Advocacy Group, and the GreenSpace Alliance.
Patrick co-founded the Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance, chaired the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission's Regional Citizens Committee, and served on the board of the Schuylkill River Development Council. He works in partnership with numerous agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and the Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, as well as numerous municipalities including the City of Philadelphia.
Patrick works closely with TTF to support our efforts and develop collaborative projects.
TTF PARTNER WEBSITE MAKEOVERS
Recently, two TTF partners -- Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR) -- unveiled new websites. The fresh aesthetics and new functions compliment the quality content on these sites! Click on the links to see the changes for yourself check out news and events while you're there.
EVENTS
Please note: TTF's outdoor events are canceled in the case of heavy rain. Please check the
LIVING STREAMSIDE: BE A STREAM STEWARD & REDUCE FLOODING
Whether or not the Tookany Creek runs along your property, we all live downstream and are impacted by stormwater runoff. This workshop will introduce you to our watershed, review the importance of stream health, and explain the dynamics of runoff. Learn how you can promote healthy streams and reduce flooding by managing waste, gardening with native
plants, installing a riparian buffer and more. Visit to a local riparian buffer project included. Presented by FOHSP and TTF.
SPONSOR:Friends of High School Park (FOHSP) DATE: Saturday, April 6 TIME: 2:00 p.m.
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 & snacks provided.
DATE: Saturday, April 13
TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
PLACE: Tacony Creek Park, Friends Hospital, 4641 Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19124
Rain gardens are filled with moisture-loving plants that prevent damaging storm runoff by absorbing water that flows from your roof, patio or yard. Learn how to build your own rain garden by helping install one at the FOHSP office. Wear gardening clothes. Presented by Matt Reale of AquaReale, a landscape design firm specializing in garden solutions to stormwater management.
Join us for a run/walk in Tacony Creek Park! 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 Boulevard, Philadelphia 19124
Tour the renowned Collins Nursery, understand how trees improve storm water management and purchase a tree for your yard. Learn about native trees, what tree to plant where and how to plant and care for your tree. Collins
Nursery specializes in container grown plants native to the mid-Atlantic region. Their plants are propagated from locally collected seed whenever possible. Receive a $10 voucher towards purchase of a tree when you attend two FOHSP workshops. Presented by Diane Ehrich, Friends of High School Park and Manager, Collins Nursery.
SPONSOR: Friends of High School Park
DATE: Saturday, April 27
TIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
PLACE: Collins Nursery, 773 Roslyn Avenue, Glenside, PA 19038
Come join us for a clean-up at Tacony Creek Park's new gateways. PPR is working hard to establish access to the new TCP Trail. Beautify the area and make these gateways more inviting. Supplies & snacks provided.
Join the fun and get a rain barrel at a discount. Together, we can lower the impact of storm water by collecting and holding rain in a barrel, then releasing it after the storm has passed. Learn how to install and maintain a rain barrel. Understand how you can help prevent stream erosion and water pollution while lowering your water bills and supporting your garden. Purchase a rain barrel for
only $15 when you attend two workshops.
SPONSOR: Friends of High School Park
DATE: Saturday, May 11
TIME:10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
PLACE: The Frame House, 7900 High School Rd, Elkins Park, PA 19027
WATERSHED MILESTONES AWARDS CEREMONY AND RECEPTION
Come celebrate with us! Our annual event is a wonderful opportunity for networking, honoring our volunteers and partners, and raising funds for our critical work.
SPONSOR: TTF
DATE: Wednesday, May 22
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m
PLACE: FWWIC, 640 Waterworks Drive, Philadelphia 19130
PARTNER EVENTS
THE MUSICAL LANGUAGE OF WATER: A CONCERT, FILM PREVIEW, CONVERSATION & RECEPTION
Join FWWIC for a first - a live concert and preview of the short film, "A-E-I-O-U Water," followed by a conversation about water quality with Dr. Julie Becker, founder of the Women's Health & Environment Network and program director, University of the Sciences; and Joanne Dahme, public affairs manager, Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), and author of Contagion, The Plague, and Tombstone Tea.
PLACE: Grove Park, Arbor Day Celebration, 1383 Easton Rd., Abington 19001
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. 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.
SPONSOR: Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)
DATE: Wednesday, April 10
TIME:6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Municipal Services Building, 16th Flr, Room C, 1401 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia 19102
Business United for Conservation (BUC) has access to funds for employee training that will serve
to advance your business's current or future involvement with green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) or GSI-related activities as part of a 3-year grant from the Surdna Foundation. Detailed discussion of training funds, basic requirements to access them, and a Q&A session.
DATE: Tuesday, April 23
TIME: 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
PLACE: Mark Group at the Navy Yard, 4050 South 26th Street, Suite 200, 19145
Attend this FREE workshop to learn about preventing stormwater pollution and protecting watershed resources. The workshop will review stormwater best management practices related to: storm water pollution protection & good housekeeping, stormwater facility inspection and maintenance, illicit discharge detection & elimination, and MS4 record keeping & reporting. Come with examples of your stormwater best practices and pollution prevention experiences to share.
SPONSOR: Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC)
DATE: Wednesday, April 24
TIME: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
PLACE: Horsham Township Community Center, 1025 Horsham Road, followed by tour of the Township's Maintenance Building & Garage at 1005 Horsham Road. CONTACT: RSVP & for more information, Paul Racette, [email protected]/215-545-4570 ext. 112
RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP
Commercially, a rain barrel can cost more than $150. Through the EAC you can obtain a rain barrel for as low as $35 by attending this workshop! Over 30 colors and custom artist-painted barrels offered. SPONSOR: Abington EAC
DATE: Thursday, April 25
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE:Township Training Facility, 2299 Florey Lane, Abington 19038
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.
Council
