The Wissahickon Creek

Currents
s p r i n g 2 0 1 4 • Vo lu m e 5 7 • N u m b e r 2
Successful
Stepping Stones
Campaign
The Forefront of Water Conservation:
The Wissahickon Creek
S
ome of the most polluted
waterways in the southeastern area
of Pennsylvania are located here
in the Philadelphia metropolitan
area. Increased urbanization and the loss
of riparian corridors have degraded the
water quality of our streams and creeks.
Meanwhile, decades of pumping ground
water for our growing suburbs means that
the Wissahickon Creek is no longer fed by
springs. Because of these issues, conservation
organizations, citizen groups and regional
universities have developed a partnership
called the Upstream Suburban Philadelphia
Cluster. Their goal is to improve the water
quality of creeks and streams in southeastern
Pennsylvania, watershed by watershed.
This major water quality initiative
is being funded by the William Penn
Foundation with the ambitious goal of
“moving the needle” on water quality in
the next three years. The Wissahickon
Valley Watershed Association (WVWA)
is a vital member and a leader in this
important collaboration. Because of our
professional expertise in water quality
monitoring, the WVWA is responsible for
training other conservation organizations
and community groups on how to conduct
studies of their waterways. Soon, we will
be developing an education and outreach
campaign that will help persuade the
public to adopt practices to reduce storm
water runoff. Expanded water quality
monitoring and macro-invertebrate studies
of the tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek
Watershed are anticipated as well.
The year-end campaign, Stepping
Stones to the Future, was a resounding
acknowledgement of the need to
educate future generations to appreciate
nature and have a conservation ethic.
With nearly $80,000 raised, the
campaign ensures that the WVWA
Environmental Education Program
is fortified with funding for 2014 and
beyond. Broadening WVWA’s education
and outreach to the public with new
activities and events will hopefully raise
awareness for our natural heritage.
The WVWA recognizes the
extraordinary commitment and
generosity made by the Mill Spring
Foundation for its initial challenge
grant of $25,000. The wonderful
response by the WVWA family to match
and generously give is a testimony to
the legacy we have built in preserving
open space, protecting natural resources
and improving water quality. m
The WVWA hired a new program
manager to manage the expansion of the
Water Quality Program coupled with the
increased role in the Upstream Suburban
Philadelphia Cluster. The WVWA is
also working with the Friends of the
Wissahickon by sharing water quality data
and exploring how the information can be
used in educating the public.
Dennis Miranda states, “Water
quality has suffered from centuries of
industry, agriculture and urbanization
combined with the loss of natural areas.
This new water quality initiative is the
beginning of a new regional approach
that may finally result in real reduction in
pollution and a greater balance of water
supply for both nature and mankind.” m
Except where noted, all photos in Currents are by Jamie Stewart
1
Photo by Suzanne Smith-Oscilowski
Photo by Suzanne Smith-Oscilowski
What is
Naturescaping?
N
aturescaping is a
landscaping technique
that provides habitat
for native plants and
wildlife and allows
people to enter into a
partnership with nature. A Naturescaped
landscape minimizes yard maintenance,
recreates critical ecosystems that supply
clean water to local watersheds, and
provides habitat for our declining wildlife
populations.
Why Should You Naturescape?
Extensive suburban and urban growth
in recent decades has had a significant
impact on habitats that birds and
other wildlife once called home. A
Naturescaped yard:
• promotes native plants
• provides habitat for wildlife
• maintains diversity of plants and
wildlife
Family, jobs and other commitments
result in tight schedules and limited free
time. A Naturescaped yard:
• reduces maintenance time
• saves money by conserving water and
reducing or eliminating fertilizer and
pesticide expenses
2
What are the Principles
of Naturescaping?
1. Build the soil- add organic matter back
into the soil
2. Use local native plants- select
native plants that are local to the
Wissahickon Valley not other parts of
the United States
3. Put the right plant in the right spotassess the plant’s site for soil conditions,
sun, shade, moistness, dryness
4. Select plants that don’t require long
term irrigation- only irrigate plants
until they are established
5. Retain stormwater on site- incorporate
rain barrels, rain gardens and
vegetative swales
6. Encourage beneficial insects and
microorganisms- beneficial insects can
be our biggest ally in controlling pests
7. Avoid synthetic fertilizers- organic
fertilizers are slow acting and provide
nutrients over a longer period of time
8. Avoid synthetic pesticides- they are
toxic to good and bad insects as well as
wildlife
9. L ook to nature to provide design
guidelines- reduce turf and take
pleasure in the uniqueness of the
eastern deciduous forest where we live
Spring 2014
WVWA Native
Plant Sale
Native plants are beautiful
and provide a host of benefits over
non-natives. Plants that are native to
our region are well adapted to our
climate and soils. They create wildlife
habitat and provide high quality food
in the form of fruits, nuts, berries,
leaves and nectar for insects, birds,
animals, reptiles and amphibians.
Over 100 species of perennials,
vines, ferns, shrubs and trees will be
offered for sale at WVWA’s Spring
Native Plant Sale. Knowledgeable
staff and volunteers will answer
questions and help you to select the
native plants which are best suited for
your garden site. m
Friday, May 2, 2 – 5 p.m. Members Only Sale
Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
General Public Sale
For more information on Naturescaping your yard, join us on Friday, May
2nd at 6:30 pm for a native plant garden
tour and hands-on workshop at WVWA
Headquarters. We’ll look at native plants in
both designed and natural environments as
we tour the WVWA Native Plant Garden
and visit a restored natural habitat. After
that, we’ll go inside to explore the principles
of Naturescaping. Using Naturescaping
guidelines, you will plan and design your
own Naturescaped yard or garden. We will
provide materials for you to analyze your
site, design a Naturescape and select the
best native plants for your garden. Wear
trail friendly shoes and bring along your
garden ideas. m
gateway to Oreland. The land is now protected from future development in perpetuity and will soon be accessible to the public
via informal hiking trails.
Dennis Miranda, WVWA’s Executive
Director said, “We are grateful to all our
partners for working to make this complex
project come to pass. We are excited to
have our first preserve in Upper Dublin
and Springfield Townships, and just as
excited to begin ecological restoration on
this great resource.”
This largely forested property is
bisected by the flood-prone Sandy Run.
Conservation of the land ensures perpetual protection of more than 1,000 feet
of riparian buffer, which helps to slow and
re-absorb floodwaters.
WVWA’s Newest...
The Piszek Preserve
T
he Wissahickon
Valley Watershed
Association saved
37-acres of woodlands
and meadows in Upper
Dublin and Springfield
Townships along Pennsylvania Avenue
and the Sandy Run in October 2013, that
is known as the Piszek Preserve.
Since 2004, the Piszek family and the
Copernicus Society, a foundation established
by the family patriarch, Edward Piszek,
patiently searched for a way to preserve
this historic property. They reached out
to WVWA and the Montgomery County
Lands Trust for assistance. The goal was to
conserve the most sensitive natural areas of
this historic 92-acre estate that has been the
The adjacent property includes a
gracious colonial home known as the Emlen
House. This 18th-century stone dwelling
gained lasting fame when General George
Washington used it as his headquarters in the
winter of 1777. Other visitors to the property
over the decades include human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Lech
Walesa and Pope John Paul II.
“We thank the Piszek family for
their enormous generosity and perseverance
in allowing this beautiful property to be protected” said Bob Adams, WVWA’s Director
of Stewardship. “We are eager to begin work
enhancing the trails and restoring the beautiful woodland and wetland habitats.” m
Questers Grant Moves
Project Forward At
Evans-Mumbower Mill
Photo by David Froelich
T
hanks to two grants from the Pilgrim Questers
237 and their state organization, the Pennsylvania State
Questers, Evans-Mumbower Mill will soon reinstall an
important piece of milling equipment. The grants have allowed
WVWA to reconstruct the mill’s bolter, a piece of equipment that
sifts ground grain and separates it into various size particles, each
of which is a different product. WVWA hopes to have the bolter up
and running sometime this summer. At that time ground corn will
be separated into corn flour, corn meal and cracked corn. WVWA
is grateful to Pilgrim Questers and Pennsylvania State Questers for
the grants and their commitment to Evans-Mumbower Mill. Special
thanks go to Questers members Jean Johnson and Nancy Mitros
who shepherded the grants through the Questers organization. m
3
Calendar
April
In Search of Night Critters
DiscoverpikePA.com
WVWA Waterfalls Tour
Sunday, April 6,
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
As winter gives way to early spring, snow melts and
streams swell with rushing
waters. This is the perfect time to see the highest waterfalls in Pennsylvania, Raymondskill
Falls! From a height of 175 feet and coursing
through three cascades, Raymondskill Falls
is a thunderous wonder to behold! Take a
tour from Montgomery County to visit the
rugged Poconos for a one day getaway!
• Members $60.00 per person.
• Non-members $75.00 per person
• Boxed lunch is included
• This exclusive nature tour is limited to six guests
• Meet at the Four Mills Barn, 12 Morris Rd,
Ambler, PA
GMOfilm.com
GMO OMG
4
Tuesday, April 8
6:00pm Sponsor Expo
7:30pm Film Starts
9:00pm Panel
Discussion
WVWA is a proud sponsor of
the 5th Annual Pennypack Farm Sustainable
Film Series at the Ambler Theater. GMO
OMG director and concerned father Jeremy
Seifert is in search of answers. How do GMOs
affect our children, the health of our planet,
and our freedom of choice?
Linda Goschke
Friday, April 11,
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Briar Hill Preserve
and Prophecy Creek
Park are home to a bevy of nocturnal animals and birds. Owls, foxes, raccoons,
salamanders and even songbirds can often
be heard making calls or singing at night.
Bring your family and flashlights and search
for signs of nature with WVWA Executive
Director, Dennis Miranda. Dress warmly,
wear sturdy walking shoes and bring your
enthusiasm!
• Free, preregistration requested
Bird Watching Basics
Wednesday,
April 23,
7 – 9 p.m.
A family night out at the Penllyn Woods is
cool and teeming with life in early spring!
Join WVWA Executive Director Dennis
Miranda, as he leads your family to the
sights and sounds of early spring. Listen and
perhaps catch a glimpse of frogs, toads and
even an owl! Dress for a cool evening, wear
hiking shoes, bring your binoculars and a
flashlight! A limited number of loaner binoculars are available too.
• Free, preregistration requested
Creek
Clean Up
Saturday, April 12
Sunday, April 27
Sunday, May 4
This beginner level
course concentrates
on the basics of bird identification and techniques for binocular use. WVWA’s most
experienced birders, Amy Johns and Jamie
Stewart, will offer you individual attention and expert tips, as you learn to focus
your binoculars on the many birds of the
Wissahickon.
• Course Fee for all three classes: Members $50;
non-members: $75
• Registration limited to 12 participants
Saturday,
April 26
Be part of the
44th
annual
Creek
Clean
Up of the Wissahickon Creek and its many
tributaries. Help WVWA clean up the trail
and the creek bed too. Volunteers are preassigned to sections of the Creek and trail.
• Picnic following at Fort Washington State Park.
• preregistration required; www.wvwa.org/
creekcleanup or contact Gina Craigo at gina@
wvwa.org
May
EvansNative Plant Sale
Mumbower Friday, May 2, 2 – 5 p.m.
Mill Members Only Sale
Open House Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday, April 13, General Public Sale
1 – 4 p.m.
Purchase high quality
WVWA’s restored
wildflowers, native trees,
19th century gristmill, listed on the National
shrubs, ferns and grasses
Register of Historic Places, offers a glimpse
that will look great in
into a time when people relied on simple
your yard and benefit
machines and their own resourcefulness.
WVWA. Plants will be
See a demonstration of candle dipping then
available on a first come,
try your hand at tin smithing or flour sifting.
first serve basis.
• Free, donations welcome
Suzanne Smith-Oscillowski
Saturday, April 5,
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Help WVWA continue our restoration
efforts this spring at Four Mills Reserve,
WVWA’s headquarters. Volunteers will remove invasive plants and plant native trees
and shrubs. Please wear sturdy shoes for
digging, and bring a shovel and gloves if
you have them; otherwise we will provide.
• To volunteer – contact Bob Adams at bob@
wvwa.org or 215-646-8866 or visit www.
wvwa.org/servethepreserve
Linda Goschke
Serve the
Preserve
Twilight Nature Walk at Penllyn
Woods
spr i ng / summer 2 0 1 4
View Complete Calendar & Register for Events at www.wvwa.org/calendar
Birdathon
USDA via Wikipedia
Friday, May 9 &
Saturday, May 10
WVWA invites all birders to join the 20th annual
Wissahickon Birdathon.
During this friendly, two-day competition,
teams canvass the Wissahickon Watershed
and strive to identify the greatest number of
bird species. Birders of all ages and skill levels
are encouraged to join the fun, bird as much
or as little as they choose to and enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow birders.
• Contact Carol DeLancey, [email protected] or
visit www.wvwa.org/birdathon
Evans-Mumbower
Mill Open House
Sunday, May 18,
1 – 4 p.m.
Sheep Shearing Demonstration - The gristmill’s neighbors sheared
their sheep in the spring. Hoyt Emmons, a
professional shearer, will give a lively demonstration of his craft at 1:30 and 3:00. Plan
to spend the afternoon!
• Adults: $5; Children 3-12: $3
• WVWA members free
Moths – The Silent Majority
Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
John Ferro, WVWA
Land Manager, will
lead this walk from
Four Mills Nature
Reserve. Walk downstream through Four
Mills, Germantown
Academy’s wetland
complex, and over the new trail section and
stream crossing to Skippack Pike. Four miles
of mostly easy terrain.
• Free, preregistration requested
Blaine Rothauser
National Trails Day Walk –
Downstream from Four Mills
Evans-Mumbower Mill Open House
Friday, June 27, 7 – 9:00 p.m.
Discover the
my ster ious
creatures
of the night
that fly under the cover
of darkness
with Blaine
Rothauser, a lifetime naturalist and biologist who is President of BR Environmental
Services. A talk and slide show is followed by
moth “catching”, utilizing a special screen
in WVWA’s courtyard.
Four Mills Nature Reserve
• WVWA Members: $5; Non-Members $10
• Limited to 20 guests
Butterfly Walk
Sunday, June 15, Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
1 – 4 p.m.
Join Blaine Rothauser to discover the many
Antique Car Day
varieties of butterfor Father’s Day
flies that might be
Bring Dad to see
found in the meada variety of antique
ows of Willow
cars for Father’s Day
Lake Farm. A brief
at the Mill, take a
talk about meadow
tour of the Mill to
ecology will be folsee all of the simple machines in action.
lowed by a natural
• Free, donations welcome
history tour and adventure. Bring camera,
binoculars and a note pad as we guarantee to
introduce you to the other-worldly pleasures
25th Anniversary - Tex Mex of the meadow.
5k Race for Open Space
Willow Lake Farm
Wednesday,
• WVWA Members: $5; Non-Members $10
June 25
• Limited to 20 guests
A Green Race for
a Green Cause at a
July
Green Restaurant!
A festive race
followed by an
Evans-
award ceremony
Mumbower Mill and Party Under
Open House
the Stars at Tex
Sunday, July 20,
Mex Connection.
1 – 4 p.m.
Benefiting Wissahickon Valley Watershed.
Old Fashioned Ice
Capped at 1700 runners and the race
Cream Social - Take a
sells out quickly. Inquire about our Green
break from the summer
Ribbon Teams!
heat and enjoy a deli• www.wvwa.org/texmex5k
cious ice cream sundae.
• Adults: $5; Children 3-12: $3
Blaine Rothauser
Friday, May 2,
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Attendees can
shop at Native
Plant Sale from
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Learn about using
native plants to attract birds, butterflies and
wildlife, selecting native plants for the garden, designing native gardens; employing natives as alternatives to traditional turf grass,
planning and installing a rain garden. Join us
for this informative and hands-on workshop.
We’ll see slides of a naturescaped garden and
visit the WVWA restored natural habitat to
observe native plants in both a designed and
a natural environment. Bring along photos
and sketches of your home landscape or latest
garden project...we’ll help you Naturescape it
with native plants!
• Free, preregistration requested
June
iStock Photo
Suzanne Smith-Oscillowski
Naturescaping with Native Plants Workshop
5
WVWA
Mill Volunteers Needed
Fascinated by history? Like to tinker
around old buildings? The EvansMumbower Mill is looking for
volunteers. Join this amazingly talented
and interesting group and work as
much or as little as you like. Contact
Gina Craigo, [email protected].
The Last Link & Ladder
WVWA installed the last steppingstone crossing just downstream of
Lafayette Ave. However, once over the
creek walkers still had a steep bank to
climb. WVWA, working with Ned
Gibby of Gibby Ironworks, invented
a ladder that provides a low impact,
user friendly way for people to get up the
stream banks. The ladder is also able to
withstand flooding during storms. Take a
walk downstream on the Green Ribbon
Trail from Four Mills Nature Reserve to
experience this new crossing as well as the
Rubenstein Crossing near Morris Road.
Birdathon Reminder
Do you enjoy the birds in our
watershed? Please consider joining
WVWA’s 20th annual Birdathon
on May 9-10. Visit www.wvwa.org/
birdathon for complete details.
What’s the Fence
in the Woods?
Walking through Four Mills Nature
Reserve, you may notice a screened-in
garden. This is a deer exclosure, installed
in April 2013, which prevents the deer
from devouring the native plants that
have been planted in their natural home.
Visit Four Mills Reserve this summer to
see the progress of the garden. m
6
25th Anniversary of
the Tex Mex 5k Race
for Open Space
D
ress in green for the
25th anniversary of the
Tex Mex 5K Race for
Open Space on June 25!
This popular race is one
of the oldest in the region and often sells
out long before the day of the race. The
race ends with the Party-Under-the-Stars,
held in the parking lot of the Tex Mex
Connection Bar & Restaurant. Runners
and volunteers savor a buffet supper and
one of Tex Mex’s famous margaritas
or a craft beer made by Prism Brewing
Company while listening to a live band!
The Tex Mex 5k is a GREEN race, for
a GREEN cause at a GREEN restaurant.
Tex Mex Connection is one of only 71
3-star Certified Green Restaurants in the
country! It is 100% landfill free which
means that 601 mature trees and over
4,900 yards of landfill space were saved by
recycling, composting and repurposing the
restaurant’s 71.4 tons of trash.
Over 2,000 people attend the race
and stay for the party; this provides an ideal
opportunity for a corporate sponsorship.
You can join National Label Company,
First Niagara Bank, North Wales Running
Company, Amica Insurance, Nolan
Painting, D. E. Walker Heating, B. Q.
Basements and numerous other companies
who sponsor this race. If you or your
company would like to sponsor the race,
please contact Carol DeLancey at 215-6468866 or [email protected].
This green race has raised over
$500,000 for WVWA’s programs. These
funds support WVWA’s landscape
restoration efforts and maintenance of the
Green Ribbon Trail. m
Newcomers
Join WVWA!
Tai-ming Chang of Blue Bell,
PA, has joined the Board of Directors
of the Wissahickon Valley Watershed
Association. Already the Chairperson
of the Water Resources Committee,
Tai brings extensive professional
experience in conservation with his
nearly thirty years of working with the
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA). Tai has worked with the USEPA
since 1984 and currently serves as the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Liaison
to the Environmental Assessment and
Innovation Division. Tai earned his M.A.
in Public Administration from Harvard
University and his B.A. in Biology and
Environmental Studies at Oberlin College.
He is a passionate fly fisherman, and enjoys
exploring the outdoors with his family.
Steph Figary
joined the
WVWA in
February as
the new Water
Quality Program
Manager.
Originally from
Central New
York, Steph
has seven years
of research
experience studying freshwater systems,
including watersheds, vernal ponds,
the Great Lakes, and New York Finger
Lakes. In 2013, she earned her Master
of Science in Aquatic Ecology from the
State University of New York College
of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Additionally in 2013, Steph earned
a Master of Public Administration
from Syracuse University, focusing on
environmental policy and economics. Steph
is excited to use her training and education
at the WVWA where she will design and
implement a new water quality education
and outreach program, using funding
from the William Penn Foundation. She
will work together with the partners in the
Upstream Suburban Philadelphia Cluster.
Gina Craigo
joined WVWA in
January as the new
Communications
and Events
Coordinator. Born
and raised in the
Philadelphia area,
with only a hiatus
for her undergraduate years at the
University of
Pittsburgh, Gina now lives in Cheltenham
with her husband and two young
girls. Gina has her Masters in Public
Administration from Villanova University,
and most recently spent seven years with
the Friends of High School Park in Elkins
Park, PA, which supports native plant
restoration in the 11-acre High School
Park in the Tookany Watershed. She was
their first staff member and opened their
storefront office in Elkins Park. Wearing
many hats in the small organization,
Gina coordinated their communications,
membership, finances and ran their
largest fundraiser, Arts in the Park.
These experiences make her wellprepared for her new role here at WVWA.
She is very excited for her new position
and to be learning about the Wissahickon
Watershed. m
Our Mission
The Wissahickon Valley Watershed
Association’s Mission is to protect
the quality and beauty of the
Wissahickon Creek and to enhance
life in the watershed by:
•Protecting and enhancing open space
• Promoting awareness of environmental
issues through education
• Promoting wise land use
• Preserving historic sites important to
the history of the Wissahickon
Board of Directors
Richard Collier, Jr., Chair
Cary B. Fleisher, Vice-Chair
William F. MacDonald, Jr., Treasurer
Edwin R. Steel, Secretary
Scott Bartow
Steven S. Brown
Tai-ming Chang
Ellen T. Duncan
Sue Floyd
James E. Hasson
Daniel F. Hayes
Dolores E. Hillas
Nancy B. Kreider
Mark P. Letner
George M. Riter
Loretta Shacklett
Neil Trueblood
Patricia R. West
Cheryl L. Young
Advisory Council
Philip R. Albright
Mary C. Claghorn
George C. Corson, Jr.
Thomas Dolan IV
Phoebe A. Driscoll
Saly A. Glassman
Timothy P. Hughes
Hugh G. Moulton
Hugh A. A. Sargent
John A. H. Shober
Edwin R. Steel
7
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage
Paid
12 morris road, ambler, pa 19002
Fort Washington, PA
Permit No.5
215-646-8866 • www.wvwa.org
Printed on Recycled Stock
Thanks to Our Creek Clean Up Sponsors
P r e s e nti n g S p o n s o r
Creek Clean Up
e n v i r o n m e nta li st s
I
n 1972 the United States Congress passed
the Clean Water Act, the law that regulates
discharges of pollutants into the waters of the
United States and regulates quality standards for
surface waters. This was a major milestone for the
early conservation movement.
WVWA organized its first Creek Clean Up
in 1970. Today this community-wide event recruits
hundreds of volunteers who clean 40 different sections
of the Wissahickon Creek, its many tributaries and
the surrounding trails. Following the clean up the
volunteers come together for the “Talkin’ Trash
Picnic” to celebrate their efforts and finds!
If you would like to participate, please visit
the WVWA website, www.wvwa.org/creekcleanup, or
email Gina Craigo at [email protected]. m
c o n s e rvati o n i st s