Bio Blitz a Success!
This year, our goal was to surpass last year's participation. However, the global pandemic presented quite a challenge. No longer able to host bio blitz events for groups, we encouraged neighbors to go out on their own, around their house and local parks, while maintaining proper social distancing guidelines.
The pandemic didn't stop people from connecting with nature! We surpassed 1,500 hundred observations of over 450 species by 82 people. TTF also participated in the
City Nature Challenge from April 24-27. Philadelphia came in 6th place globally!
Missed the bio blitz? That's okay, you can still submit observations to our
wildlife page! Read our blog.
Interested in learning more? Contact Ryan@ttfwatershed.org
Even in these challenging times, we have continued to engage residents on topics of interest. So far this spring, we have collaborated with
Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, and
Wissahickon Trails to host a series of three virtual workshops. These workshops cover basic watershed information, as well as things that we can do to improve the health of our watersheds and get involved. Watch these workshops on our new
Youtube channel!
Want to learn more about a topic? Contact us with your ideas for webinars:
Ryan@ttfwatershed.org
|
LEARN HOW YOU CAN MANAGE STORMWATER AT HOME...
Click on the image below to watch this valuable webinar.
|
|
The spring is normally a busy time for planting and maintaining our restoration projects. We have cancelled our creek care days. We have also postponed the planting at our newest restoration site, Cheltenham Township's Conklin Pool, until the fall.
However, we are trying something a little different! We're distributing free Cleanup kits to interested residents. These kits come in a special bag and include a trash picker, gloves, and bags for trash and recycling. We've distributed over 20 kits to people who want to help by cleaning up their block or park on their own or with their family.
Want a kit or have some ideas about how you can help out?
Contact ryan@ttfwatershed.org or 215-744-1853
|
|
Streamkeeper Spotlight: Greta Bunin
|
|
When did you start as a TTF Streamkeeper?
Summer 2018
Where is your site?
Leeches Run in Elkins Park, near Old York Road, it's a short stretch between sections where it goes under roads.
Why do you volunteer with TTF?
Despite a career in science, I had never done field work of any kind and thought this would be a way to do field work in a small way and learn about the local streams, critters that live in and near them, and their problems and strengths. I've enjoyed seeing "my" stream in different seasons with slower or faster flow, fish or no fish, vegetation on the banks that makes it more difficult to get down to the stream or not, etc. One thing I love about living in this area is that there are streams everywhere. I always find the sight and sound of water running in the streams to be relaxing.
Tell us about yourself!
I was born in NY but have lived in the Philly area for about 35 years! I moved here for a job and here I am still. I live with my husband, our dog and cat and have a daughter in college. I enjoy walking, biking, spending time with friends and family (by zoom if necessary). During the pandemic, I have finally had time to attend to our compost bin to get it to work better and have planted some peas, beans, and parsley.
|
|
Valuable Training Opportunities
|
|
Unfortunately, the spring the tour of the Abington Waste Water Treatment Plant and Macro Invertebrate Training by the
Izaak Walton League have been put on hold for now. However, we have transitioned to offering trainings online, and have hosted two virtual training sessions so far.
The first was a presentation by the
Academy of Natural Sciences on visual algae assessments. The second training was an introduction to the Streamkeeper program for new volunteers, and a refresher for current Streamkeepers.
Missed out and want to watch these training videos? Watch the algae training
here and the Streamkeeper introduction
here.
|
|
Streamkeepers Lend a Critical Hand & Voice
|
|
This spring, Kevin Roth and Chris Mendel from the
Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust were interviewed by 6ABC about the Streamkeeper program, and the wonderful work of our Streamkeepers. After the spot aired, countless people reached out to organizations across the Upstream Suburban Philadelphia Cluster! We hosted the recent Streamkeeper program introduction in response.
|
|
|
|
We are excited to highlight a few of our Streamkeeper sites. With 24 sites, we thought it would be interesting to go back and share information about some of our older sites.
Thank you to Streamkeepers who continue to monitor your sites!
|
|
TTF 200: This site is below the headwaters of the Jenkintown creek at the Abington Monthly Meeting. It has an abundance of macro invertebrates, as well as two lined salamanders, and even northern red salamanders. This site is also a TTF staff level monitoring sites, as well as a site for macro invertebrate sampling.
|
|
TTF 550: This site is located along Rock Creek, which is one of the major tributaries of the Tookany Creek. It is within the
Curtis Arboretum owned by Cheltenham Township; a
Friends of Curtis group formed recently. The Township has implemented a number of environmental improvements, and a tributary that flows through the park is in the process of being day lit. Rock Creek, especially along this section, is characterized by beautiful exposed rock outcroppings.
Rock Creek originates on the far side of Route 309.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
