January 2015

Dear Watershed Friends:

Board Update
I wanted to let you know a little more about Carolyn Hirsh, who became a Board member at our Annual Meeting in June. Carolyn serves as Director of Operations for Lindy Communities. Her educational background includes Montgomery County Community and Manor Colleges, Temple University, as well as PAA industry courses and Dale Carnegie Leadership Training. Carolyn serves as a Board Member of the Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Pennsylvania Apartment Association (PAA), and The Art of It Community Collaborative.

Lindy Communities has a demonstrated committment to sustainability. In 2011, Lindy installed Solar Hot Water on 7 buildings in 5 complexes. Recently, Lindy was awarded a Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) Stormwater Management Incentives Program (SMIP) grant for 
the construction of rain gardens at Academia Suites in Olney and Willow Bend Apartments in Mt. Airy. Four gardens will collect runoff from over 70,000 square feet of rooftops, parking, driveways and sidewalks. We're especially proud because TTF made this connection happen!

Join me also in welcoming Aine Doley and Tariq Parvez as interim Board members. Watch for their bios in a future newsletter.

Grant Awarded!

We are pleased to announce that the Claneil Foundation has awarded TTF a two-year operational grant of $9000 per year. The Claneil Foundation has supported our work in the past, and we are proud that the staff and Board have decided to invest in us once again. Because operational support is difficult to raise, grants like this are critical to our organizational health and growth.

 

This funding will enable us to work toward the goals of the Strategic Plan adopted by our Board of Directors in 2013, particularly: to expand and cultivate our base of partners, including government leaders in our towns, community and civic associations, trail partners, teachers and small businesses; increase public recognition of our work and the issues we address, particularly Spanish and Korean-speaking residents and greater use of volunteers as advocates throughout our region; showcase new projects; include quantification to better communicate our effectiveness; and create a new organizational structure that sustains partner relations, builds diverse streams of support and strengthens financial oversight.

 

The Claneil Foundation works to create healthy communities by supporting nonprofit organizations making an impact in the areas of hunger and nutrition/food system, health and human services, education, and the environment.


See you later this month at our MLK Day of Service or Watershed Heroes... and Happy New Year!
Julie
Be a Watershed Hero!

Wondering what defines a watershed? Hoping to make a difference in improving water quality? Looking for information to share with your neighbors about taking better care of the creek down the street? 

If you've volunteered with us at a planting or clean-up and want to learn more...or if you're just concerned and curious about watersheds, this presentation is for you! Join us for this interactive program (plus pizza) at our office at the Globe Dye Works in Frankford. Bring along a friend!
MLK Day of Service

Did you know that Philadelphia hosts the largest MLK Day in the nation? TTF has proudly participated in Philadelphia's MLK Day of Service since 2012...and we are honored to be part of this special day once again.

We believe that environmental and social justice are the same, and in these challenging times for our city and nation, we are especially sensitive to the importance of programs like MLK Day. We hope to see you on January 19! 

Want to get involved?
Event details here. 

BULLETIN BOARD
Missed one of our blog posts? No worries!
Catch up on your reading on our Bulletin Board.
 

Events

 

MLK DAY OF SERVICE IN TACONY CREEK PARK 

Be prepared to feel accomplished on your day off! Come help us clean up your Tacony Creek Park! Dress warmly. Lunch provided. 

DATE: Monday, January 19

TIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

PLACE: Bingham St. & Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia 19120

CONTACT: Robin Irizarry at [email protected]/215.744.1853

 

WATERSHED HEROES 

Our Watershed Heroes program provides information on watershed problems and solutions, including what you can do! Light dinner included.

DATE: Wednesday, January 21

TIME: 5:30 to 7 p.m.

PLACE: TTF Office at Globe Dye Works, 4500 Worth Street, Phila. 19124

CONTACT: Dory�n De Angel at  [email protected]/215.744.1853

 

OIL TRAIN LISTENING TOUR: OIL TRAINS IN PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS. Sponsored with Clean Water Action  

Every day, trains carrying about 160,000 barrels of crude oil travel through Philadelphia's neighborhoods and near our creeks to be refined and transported at locations in and around the city. This 90 minute community listening workshop will provide a primer on this issue and an opportunity for participants to share concerns and become engaged in communicating with decision-makers. Information here. Pizza will be provided.  

DATE: Wednesday, February 4

TIME:  6 to 7:30 pm

PLACE: TTF Office: Globe Dye Works, 4500 Worth Street, Phila. 19124

CONTACT: Julie Slavet at [email protected]/215.744.1853

 

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES: TAPPING OUR WATERSHED

Green Cities, Clean Waters: What's Been Achieved and What's to Come in the Future with Christopher Crockett, PhD, deputy commissioner, Planning & Environmental Services, PWD. Details here. 

DATE: Monday, January 19

TIME: 6 p.m.

PLACE: National Mechanics, 22 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia 19106

 

PENNSYLVANIA ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL (PEC) MUNICIPAL STORMWATER WORKSHOP FOR OFFICIALS & PUBLIC FACILITY PERSONNEL, ABINGTON TOWNSHIP

Learn about relevant and required pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices for municipal operations and storm water facility maintenance tips. Register here. 
 

DATE: Wednesday, January 28

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

PLACE: Abington Township Municipal Bldg, 1176 Old York Road, Abington 19001

CONTACT: Paul Racette at 215-545-4570 x 112 or [email protected]
 

PEC MUNICIPAL STORMWATER WORKSHOP FOR OFFICIALS & PUBLIC FACILITY PERSONNEL, BENSALEM TOWNSHIP

Learn about relevant and required pollution prevention and good housekeeping practices for municipal operations and storm water facility maintenance tips. Register here.

DATE: Wednesday, February 4

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

PLACE: Bensalem Township Municipal Bldg, 2400 Byberry Rd., 

Bensalem 19020 

CONTACT: Paul Racette at 215-545-4570 x 112 or [email protected]

 

FRIENDS OF HIGH SCHOOL PARK: WINTER WARM UP 

Help fund the park and have a great time with new and old friends. Wine, beer, beverages, delicious hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants and scrumptious desserts. Exciting silent auction items, music and fun all evening long. Proceeds support the Friends of High School Park. Ticket info here.  

DATE: Saturday, February 28 

SNOW DATE: Saturday, March 7

TIME: 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. 

PLACE: Cheltenham Center for the Arts, 439 Ashbourne Rd. Cheltenham 19012

CONTACT: [email protected] / 215-782-8082
Stay Connected
4500 Worth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125 � 215.744.1853