If you're not at our Watershed Milestones Award Ceremony & Reception at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center (FWWIC) on May 22, you'll really be missing something!
This event will celebrate our accomplishments as well as the achievements of
leaders, young and old, large and small, from across our 30 square mile watershed! We'll enjoy great networking with watershed stakeholders and sponsors. We'll schmooze with Water Commissioner Howard Neukrug. We'll enjoy delicious cheese from Valley Shepherd Creamery and beer from Yards Brewing Company. We'll raise critical dollars to support our outreach, education, and restoration efforts.
Proceeds from the Healthy Trails 5k Run & Walk and Health Fair & Community Day will support future safety promotion and healthy, family oriented activity in TCP.
TACONY CREEK PARK TOUR
Touring Tacony Creek Park
TTF recently hosted a walk to bring together partners whose work benefits Tacony Creek Park and its neighborhoods.
Rick Howley from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) and Rob Armstrong from PPR discussed stream and trail restoration work in the area, while TTF shared some of our ideas for programs in the park. Attendees included Scattergood Foundation President Joe Pyle and
new Urban Trails Organizer Jason Sandman, and
leader of the Juniata Action Committee Derick Scudder.
These walks are a great way for us to enhance and support the relationships that make our work in Tacony Creek Park possible. Interested in planning a walking tour? Contact Alix Howard at[email protected]
This program is an introductory exploration of the science supporting the management and protection of our waterways and resources. Young women will engage in the real world application of the study and methods of environmental science, enabling them to be better prepared as they enter high school. Taught by women scientists, participants will work in the laboratory, in the field and in local streams. The program runs from August 12th to August 23rd, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. based at FWWIC.
Do you know a rising 8th grader who'd be interested in attending this summer program? Share this applicationwith them! Thank you to SWEP for making this program possible!
Remarks were made by TTF Executive Director, Julie Slavet; Abington School District Supervisor of Facilities, Stephen Saile and Abington Junior High Principal, Dr. Mark Pellicio; Abington Township EAC Chairperson, Jennifer Sherwood; Montgomery County Conservation District Watershed Specialist (and TTF Board member), Susan Harris; and PHS Plant One Million Director and Vice President of Business Development, Jimmy Owens. Special guests included Green Thumbs Club students and Denis Mora and Valessa Souter-Kline of PWD.
Read more about the ribbon cutting here. Please visit the buffer and learn about what you can do to protect our creeks!
PWD Rain Check Deadline
Beautify your home and help Philadelphia's environment: Sign up for Rain Check! Rain Check is a PWD program that provides residents with resources to manage stormwater and improve their homes. Through the program, PWD helps people pay for landscape improvements such as rain gardens or downspout planters that keep rain water from entering the sewer system.
The program is open to all people with homes connected to the combined
sewer system. To participate in the program, sign-up online at www.phillywatersheds.org/raincheck. Sign up by June 1st so that PWD can get started! PWD will begin property assessments on a rolling basis and the program will run from July 2014 to June 2015. Participating in Rain Check is a great way to improve your home and manage stormwater - all at a low cost to you.
SUSTAINABLE CHELTENHAM PLAN ADOPTED
Sustainable Cheltenham is official! The Township Board of Commissioners recently adopted thisTownship-wide, multi-year Sustainability Plan to guide the community to become more environmentally friendly and resilient.
The plan establishes ten goals and objectives that are applicable to any organization, institution or individual in the community. The plan's core is the Municipal Action Plan, which outlines actions the municipality can take to function more sustainably and serve as a leader and model for others.
"This community-inspired Sustainability Plan is designed to ensure a vibrant, healthy Cheltenham for generations to come," said Art Haywood, board president. "It calls upon everyone - residents, businesses, institutions and government - to reshape their behaviors to contribute towards building a brighter future. I believe we can make that future a reality."
TTF participated in the development of this plan and applauds its ecological stewardship, sustainable development, and water management goals. We are so impressed with this plan that we are recognizing the Township as Municipal Leader at our Awards Ceremony on May 22. We also hope to see you at the Sustainable Cheltenham Spring Festival on June 1 (see Events).
Since 2001, Susan Harris has served as Watershed Specialist at the Montgomery County Conservation District. Her responsibilities include coordinating the Watershed program, reviewing plans and permit applications for compliance with Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control program, website administration, and coordination of educational events.
In her role as Watershed Specialist, Susan manages and coordinates watershed restoration and protection projects -- grant writing, administering funding, managing budgets and construction bids, providing technical assistance, and designing and implementing watershed restoration and stormwater management projects.
In 2012, Susan Harris led a tour of an exciting watershed project at the Sisters of Saint Basil's facility. The site's topography creates a watershed divide with a portion of the site draining to the Pennypack Creek and the remainder to the Jenkintown Creek.
The Jenkintown Creek is a headwater stream in the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford watershed. The site includesforested wetlands, spring-fed marshes, a wet meadow, and numerous drainage features. PA Growing Greener funding is supporting implementation of Best Management Practices, including vegetated swales to convey surface runoff, a riparian buffer, fencing to restrict horse access and stabilization and understory trees. TTF recently assisted with tree planting for this project.
CITY WINS EPA GRANT FOR REUSE PROPERTIES ALONG FRANKFORD CREEK
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected the City of Philadelphia as one of 20 communities to receive a grant to conduct a planning study for the cleanup and reactivation of brownfield land. A $200,000 grant will fund a study for a four-square-mile area of Frankford Creek including sections of the Bridesburg, Frankford, Port Richmond and Juniata Park neighborhoods. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) will manage the planning process.
"EPA's investment in the Frankford Creek area is crucial for us to unlock the transformative potential of these brownfields sites," said City Councilwoman Mar�a Qui�ones S�nchez, whose district includes the Frankford Creek watershed. "We now have the opportunity to replace environmental contamination and vacancy with new life and economic vitality, as we have done with nearby success stories like the Globe Dye Works and Amuneal Manufacturing."
The rehabilitation of brownfield sites will also support the development of the Frankford Creek Greenway, which would connect Tacony Creek Park to the North Delaware Riverfront. The PCPC just kicked off its feasibility study for this Greenway, which was part of the Lower NE District Plan. "This planning grant provides us with an exciting opportunity to advance our trails, watershed protection, and open space objectives while connecting and engaging with communities on these vital assets," said Michael DiBerardinis Deputy Mayor Environmental and Community Resources and PPR Commissioner. "We look forward to continuing to work with PCPC and other partners on this important collaborative effort."
Join us for a clean-up at Tacony Creek Park's new gateways, which provide access to the new TCP Trail. Beautify the area and make these gateways more inviting. Supplies & snacks provided.
DATE: Saturday, May 11
TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
PLACE: Intersection at Whitaker Ave & Loudon St, 19124
Join FWWIC for this classroom/field-based program and go mad for freshwater mussels! The day's lineup includes a talk by Dr. Danielle Kreeger, Science Director for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. Lance Butler, Watershed Protection Manager for PWD, will discuss his team's work is doing and why these bivalves have piqued our interest. TTF will share the results of last year's mussel surveying and train participants in the afternoon when we go out to the stream. And we will finish off the day a saltwater mussel and beer reception! The $12 per person ticket covers transportation to the site, the reception and basic supplies.
DATE: Saturday, May 11
TIME: 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
PLACE: FWWIC, 640 Waterworks Drive, Philadelphia 19130
WATERSHED MILESTONES AWARDS CEREMONY AND RECEPTION
Celebrate with us! Our annual event is a wonderful opportunity for networking, honoring 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
Pick up a delicious burger, dog, or portabella hot off the grill. Whole Foods Market will donate the food and 100% of the money collected at the grill will be donated to TTF Watershed Partnership.
Spring is here! What better time to get your rain barrel for this upcoming season? Please fill out and bring the Waiverform to the workshop. Completed Waivers are required to receive a Rain Barrel. The workshop consists of a short video, powerpoint presentation, and a question and answer period. Note: You will be receive your barrel at the workshop; ECA will contact you to schedule a time to install the barrels for you.
SPONSOR: Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA) and PWD
DATE: Friday, May 3
TIME: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: The United Communities Houston Center, 2029 S.8th Street, Philadelphia 19148
Join PWD on the second Wednesday of each 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
DATE: Wednesday, May 8
TIME:6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Municipal Services Building, 16th Flr, Room C, 1401 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia 19102
SUSTAINABILITY FORUM-GERMANTOWN UNITED'S 2ND ANNUAL FORUM
See how easy it is to be Green and make a more sustainable Germantown. Speakers include Dr. Robert Fleming, Director of Sustainable Design at Philadelphia University, representatives of the Food Trust, the Philadelphia Water Department, and "Smart Work", and The Doley Sisters.
DATE: Wednesday, May 8
TIME: 6 p.m.
PLACE: Flying Horse Center, 315 W. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia 19120
Grab your waders and stream clothes! A classroom session will cover a fascinating intro to freshwater mussels, instruction on how to upload survey findings to the online data collection portal, and a safety lesson. Then we'll go outdoors for a hands-on mussel search in the stream. (A limited # of waders will be available for use if you don't have a pair.) Bring a water bottle and picnic lunch. Learn more here.
SPONSOR: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
DATE: Wednesday, May 8
TIME: 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
PLACE: Green Valleys Association, 1368 Prizer Rd., Pottstown, PA 19465
CONTACT: RSVP by 4/25,Dee Ross at[email protected]/800.655.4990 x106
RAIN BARRELS AND YOU: SAVE MONEY, PROTECT STREAMS
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 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
PLACE: The Frame House, 7900 High School Rd, Elkins Park 19027
Help clear, clean and refurbish DRCC's newest riverfront park, Lardner's Point. Suggested attire is long pants, long sleeve shirt, hat and closed toe sneaks or boots.
Let us know you plan to attend so we can insure that supplies and snacks are available for everyone.
DATE: Saturday, May 11
TIME: 9 a.m.
PLACE: Lardner's Point Park is located at the end of Levick St. next to the river, adjacent to the Tacony Palmyra Bridge, Philadelphia
FRIENDS OF VERNON PARK FUNDRAISER AT TROLLEY CAR DINER & CAFE
Here's a fun way to help beautify Vernon Park and welcome special events all summer! Bring yourcompleted coupon plus bring your friends and family to eat at the Trolley Car Diner or
Cafe. The TrolleyCar Diner & Cafe will generously donate 15% of your purchase. Visit the diner or cafe with coupons as many times as you can.
SPONSOR: Friends of Vernon Park (FOVP) & Trolly Car Diner & Cafe
DATE: Monday, May 27 to Sunday, June 2
TIME:Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
PLACE: Trolley Car Diner, 7619 Germantown Ave. or Trolley Car Cafe,
Vernon Park is blooming! Philadelphians can experience the passion that Germantown has for its gardens at the Germantown Garden Festival. Get your hands in the soil as FVOP plant a brand new garden bed. Learn about the rain garden and gardening techniques at creative workshops. Give and receive new plant varieties at the plant swap. Historical lecture by Nicole Juday. Come with your friends, bring the family or just get out and meet other garden enthusiasts!
SPONSOR: Friends of Vernon Park & TTF
DATE: Saturday, June 1
TIME:1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
PLACE: Greene St. side of Vernon Park, 5800 block of Germantown Ave., 19138
18TH ANNUAL ARTS IN THE PARK JURIED CRAFT SHOW AND FESTIVAL
Join the family fun when the Friends of High School Park presents its 18th Annual Arts in the Park Juried Craft Show and Festival. The festival fundraiser benefits native plant restoration at award winning High School Park. Featured for sale is the work of 50 juried artisans.The festival features a children's craft and activity area and a plant sale. Food, refreshments and raffle prizes. Adult suggested donation $5: Nominal fee for Children's activities.
DATE: Sunday, June 2
TIME: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PLACE: High School Park, Montgomery Ave. & High School Rd, Elkins Park 19027
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.