March 2014

Dear Watershed Friends:

It's Watershed Milestones Time Again!

Who do you know - a teacher, neighbor, business, or community organization - making a difference in our watershed? Help us reward these leaders for their educational or restoration efforts by nominating them for a Watershed Milestones Award. Check out the information below, submit a nomination, and join us on May 21 to celebrate the progress we're all making towards improving the health of the TTF watershed!

TTF Staff Gets Around

Our staff is committed to spreading the word about our work and the need for watershed protection. Our strategic plan even says so! Recently, Education & Outreach Director Alix Howard was welcomed as one of three new Keep Philadelphia Beautiful (KPB) Board members. One of our favorite partners, KPB is a proud affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. We look forward to another impactful year with KPB, thanks to Executive Director Michelle Feldman, Board Chair Daniel P. McElhatton and the KPB team.

Community Engagement Coordinator Alex Cooper has been sharing the good news about green infrastructure. As a University of Pennsylvania graduate, he and his class partner developed a virtual tour of stormwater and green projects in his South Philly neighborhood for a Green City, Clean Waters course project. Professor & Water Commissioner Howard Neukrug brought along Philadelphia Water Department staff for the presentation.

Alex also joined the New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors AmeriCorps program of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection for their Career Day. He shared his experience working for a watershed organization and described our structure and programs, as well as the skills necessary to be on our team.

Best,

Julie

SUBMIT WATERSHED MILESTONES NOMINATIONS TODAY!

Watershed Milestones

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

Awards will be made in the categories below and will be presented at our third annual Watershed Milestones Award Ceremony & Reception on Wednesday, May 21 at the Juniata Golf Course.

Municipal: A municipality, municipal agency or employee that has made a significant contribution to improving or preserving the watershed.

Private Sector: A company that has demonstrated a commitment to improving the watershed through responsible land use and stewardship.

Friend: An individual who has made a significant contribution to improving or preserving the watershed.

Educator: A teacher who has demonstrated an understanding of and commitment to the natural world, initiating change in student perspectives about the natural world.

Youth: An individual or group of individuals under 18 years of age who have made a significant contribution to improving or preserving the watershed.

Nominations are due by Friday, March 21. Make your nominations today!

MANAGING RAINFALL: TTF STORMWATER PROJECT TOUR

Next month, TTF will lead another Managing Rainfall: TTF Stormwater Project Tour, this time through the headwaters of the watershed, to show off clean water efforts in Montgomery County. See how our upstream community partners, including schools and community organizations, are taking the initiative to restore our watershed.

On Wednesday, April 2, experienced project specialists who will share how newly installed BMP's (tools, practices, methods for treating water) are restoring the health of our streams. The tour will wrap up at Arcadia University in Glenside with a reception for all previous and current tour attendees. To register or for more information, contact Alex Cooper at cooper@ttfwatershed.org or 215-744-1853. Read about our fall tours here.

Please share this flyer!

TACONY CREEK PARK: THE WORD ON THE TRAIL

TTF is working hard to plan for lots of exciting programs for this spring and summer in Tacony Creek Park! We were excited to meet with Keith Russell from the National Audubon Society to plan for several bird walks. We also met with a crew of Outward Bound Philadelphia instructors during their hiking expedition across the city including a camp out in Tacony Creek Park. Read about their trip in this guest blog.

We're so excited about the second annual Healthy Trails 5k Run/Walk! Our race course is set, Broad Street Run bibs are available, and registration is now open! Follow the 5k on Twitter and check out the website for race information.

TTF is working with The Philadelphia Parks Alliance on a TCP "ParkStories: Voices" piece. This series of digital stories demonstrates the unique and powerful role of parks and recreation in the lives of Philadelphia's people. If you're interested in telling your story, contact brynn@ttfwatershed.org.

As you can see, we are committed to working with lots of partners to bring fun, educational programs to Tacony Creek Park. We're excited about upcoming tree plantings and more, so check out our calendar to get involved! Let us know your ideas, keep in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter, and visit Tacony Creek Park!

AROUND OUR WATERSHED

Highlighting the TTF watershed for Destination Frankford.

TTF Watershed Partnership Stands Guard Over Local Creek

Destination Frankford (TTF partner) profiled us in their weekly post

showcasing Frankford artists, residents and businesses.

Read here.


Maple Sugaring with Cheltenham Township & Friends of High School Park Volunteer Dory�n De Angel guest blogs about maple sugaring with TTF & partners. Read here.	Lunch & Learn with Philadelphia Insurance Companies Philadelphia Insurance Companies hosted TTF's Watershed Heroes at a Lunch & Learn at their office. Read here.	TTF Community Service Networking Breakfast with PHS Guests networked, enjoyed breakfast, and learned about TTF and green infrastructure initiatives. Read here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STORMWATER PROJECTS

Don't miss your chance to learn about funding opportunities that can make your stormwater projects work! While some traditional funding sources have diminished in past years, there is money available for stormwater management. Come to learn about the details and requirements of various funding programs. Representatives of Radnor Township will be on hand to deliver the keynote address on the township's new stormwater funding program. The workshop also includes case studies of some recently funded stormwater projects. More details here. FREE.

DATE: Tuesday, March 11

TIME: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

PLACE:
Advanced Technology Center Room 101, Montco County Community College, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell 19422

CONTACT: Drew Shaw 610.278.3733 or Rita McKelvey 610.278.3753

GREEN CITY, CLEAN WATERS INFO SESSION

Join the Philadelphia Water Department 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. FREE.

DATE: Wednesday, March 12

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

PLACE: Municipal Services Building, 16th Floor, Room C, 1401 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia 19102

CONTACT: Sign up here.

RAIN GARDENS

Don't miss this Rain Garden talk by Aqua Reale. Building a rain garden (or a few rain gardens) in your own backyard is probably the easiest and most cost efficient thing you can do to reduce your contribution to stormwater pollution. When native plants are used, the garden also creates a low maintenance habitat for wildlife. TTF will be there too, to provide an introduction and watershed resources! $10 fee.

DATE: Saturday, March 15

TIME: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
PLACE: Primex Garden Center, 435 West Glenside Avenue, Glenside 19038

CONTACT: Register by calling 215.887.7500

GREEN CITY CLEAN WATERS SCREENING + PANEL DISCUSSION

The Green City, Clean Waters documentary examines Philadelphia's plan to transform the city into an oasis of green roofs, trees capes, rain gardens, and porous pavement to make the city more livable, prettier and healthier. A panel of organizational representatives, including TTF, will discuss how they are actively engaging student, local businesses, and residents in the green stormwater infrastructure movement. This event is FREE.

DATE: Thursday, March 20

TIME: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

PLACE: CityCoHo Philly Nexus, 2401 Walnut Street, Philadelphia 19103

CONTACT: Get your tickets here.

GREEN DESIGN $AVES GREEN

Large property owners and managers: Find out how to work WITH nature to save thousands of dollars each year. Learn from local land managers who have successfully improved the environmental sustainability of their property while reducing energy, mowing, and watering costs with GREEN land management practices. As a large property manager (i.e. corporate or industrial campus, shopping center, academic campus, etc.), you have a unique opportunity to help your community better manage stormwater while providing natural habitat for local wildlife and a more beautiful workplace for employees. This workshop is FREE, includes lunch and continuing education credits. Register by March 24.

DATE: Wednesday, March 26

TIME: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

PLACE: Germantown Academy, 340 Morris Rd., Fort Washington 19034

CONTACT: dross@DelawareEstuary.org

MANAGING RAINFALL: TTF STORMWATER PROJECT TOURS

Our spring series of Stormwater Tours will focus on sites in Montgomery County. Come see the innovative ways we are protecting our streams and capturing stormwater through Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI). Project experts will take us step-by-step through construction and maintenance, with guidebooks and online resources provided. FREE! Register by Friday, March 28.

DATE: Wednesday, April 2

TIME: Tour from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Reception from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m at Arcadia University, Glenside 19038.

PLACE: Meeting location provided upon registration.

CONTACT: Alex Cooper at cooper@ttfwatershed.org or 215.744.1853

Stay Connected

4500 Worth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125 � 215.744.1853