upstream | downstream connecting our communities
DESCRIPTION
TTF 2013 Annual ReportTRANSCRIPT
Connecting our communities.
4500 Worth Street | Philadelphia, PA 19124ph 215.744.1853 web www.ttfwatershed.org
twitter @ttfwatershedDesign: Felice Croul Associates
Photos: Albert Yee, Allison Ostertag
2 0 1 3 A n n u a l R e p o r t
TTF is dedicated to improving the health and vitality of our
watershed by engaging our communities in education, stewardship,
restoration and advocacy.
Here at TTF, we’re in the matchmaking business — connecting our
upstream and downstream communities to improve the health of
our waterways. We’re the connector between citizens and programs
that help improve the quality of their water, the water they drink
and the parks their families play in. We implement programs that
educate neighbors about watershed issues and how they can
make a difference right in their own backyards. Whether planting
a creekside buffer or cleaning up a park, we’re all on the path to
cleaner water and a stronger relationship with nature.
We’re bridging the gapbetween peopleere bridging the ere bridging the
and their water.
TTF is dedicated to improving the health and vitality of our
watershed by engaging our communities in education, stewardship,
restoration and advocacy.
Here at TTF, we’re in the matchmaking business — connecting our
upstream and downstream communities to improve the health of
our waterways. We’re the connector between citizens and programs
that help improve the quality of their water, the water they drink
and the parks their families play in. We implement programs that
educate neighbors about watershed issues and how they can
make a difference right in their own backyards. Whether planting
a creekside buffer or cleaning up a park, we’re all on the path to
cleaner water and a stronger relationship with nature.
We’re bridging the gapbetween peopleere bridging the ere bridging the
and their water.
of our watershed is covered
by paved surfaces. /2 Paved surfaces are a major contributor
to stormwater runoff, which happens when
rain doesn’t soak into the ground. As the
runoff flows it becomes polluted.
Runoff is why
of our waterways aren’t clean enough.
gallons of water a year. Trees help to reduce stormwater runoff.
TTF has planted 2,000 native trees
and shrubs across our watershed.
TTF and the Partnership for the
Delaware Estuary reintroduced
50 mussels into Tacony Creek.
Learning how our man-made environment affects the natural environment
is the fi rst step in taking action to improve our waterways.
From your street to your creek, it’s all connected.
40%
40,0004 A mature oak tree can consume over
20gallons of water each day.
freshwater
mussel filters 1 211111111111
of our watershed is covered
by paved surfaces. /2 Paved surfaces are a major contributor
to stormwater runoff, which happens when
rain doesn’t soak into the ground. As the
runoff flows it becomes polluted.
Runoff is why
of our waterways aren’t clean enough.
gallons of water a year. Trees help to reduce stormwater runoff.
TTF has planted 2,000 native trees
and shrubs across our watershed.
TTF and the Partnership for the
Delaware Estuary reintroduced
50 mussels into Tacony Creek.
Learning how our man-made environment affects the natural environment
is the fi rst step in taking action to improve our waterways.
From your street to your creek, it’s all connected.
40%
40,0004 A mature oak tree can consume over
20gallons of water each day.
freshwater
mussel filters 1 211111111111
TTF works closely with key stakeholders including the
Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), Philadelphia Parks &
Recreation (PPR), the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC),
Cheltenham Township and School District, Abington School
District, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS),
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) and others to support
green infrastructure and stream restoration initiatives.
Tacony Creek Park
Working with PPR, PWD, and neighbors we raise awareness of
watershed issues and encourage park use. We reinforce the
ongoing restoration of Tacony Creek Park by engaging people
in fun and educational activities — from plantings, cleanups and
storm drain marking to nature and bird walks. New to our fun
activities — photo expeditions! We hosted an outing for budding
young photojournalists from Juniata Park, who explored the park
and creek on a gorgeous day. We exhibited their photos at our
summer block parties.
This year, hundreds participated in our second Healthy Trails
5k Run/Walk and “Celebrate Your Park” block parties.
These signature events allowed TTF to introduce the community
to its restored park… and gave us insight into the activities and
improvements community members want.
Engaging Our Stakeholders
Managing Rainfall Tour
TTF launched Managing Rainfall: TTF Stormwater Tours with
funding from the Water Resource Education Network (WREN) of
the PA League of Women Voters Citizen Education Fund
through a Growing Greener grant from the PA Department of
Environmental Protection. Targeted at municipal offi cials, staff,
and volunteers, these tours provided an opportunity to showcase
innovative projects, including one that TTF created — our rain
garden in Vernon Park.
Teacher Training
Fairmount Water Works (FWW) and TTF teamed up to provide
Understanding the Urban Watershed: Making the Classroom to
Schoolyard Connection for teachers in our watershed.
This training introduced educators to new events and resources
within our region.
Environmental Camp
Nine young women participated in a camp focusing on water
issues throughout the city and our watershed! Funded by the
Society of Women Environmental Professionals of Greater
Philadelphia, the two week program focused on environmental
careers with an emphasis on water. Led by FWW and TTF, campers
traveled throughout the urban watershed to learn about water
quality issues.
Growing Upstream and Downstream
In spring 2014, TTF and the Pennypack Ecological Restoration
Trust (PERT) announced that their newly established partnership
would receive $442,000 over 36 months through the William Penn
Foundation’s Delaware River Watershed Initiative. These funds
will be used to demonstrate stream restoration and green
infrastructure projects and inform municipal stormwater permits
and public investments, using monitoring data through science
based efforts.
This initiative is a collaboration of leading conservation
organizations aligning their work to protect land, restore
streams, test innovative approaches in ecologically signifi cant
places, and monitor results over time. Organizations include:
the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the Open Space Institute,
and more than 40 additional national and regional organizations,
According to Julie Slavet, TTF Executive Director,
“We’ll be able to take the lessons we’ve learned by being
part of PWD’s Green City, Clean Waters program and apply
these upstream. Access to these leading environmental and
academic institutions will enable a small organization like
ours to ensure quality projects, education, and monitoring...”
Improving the watershedfrom upstream to downstream.ving the watershedving the watershed
Protecting Upstream Tributaries
Abington Junior High School
Fall ‘13: Planting 300+ native trees, shrubs, and grasses to
complete the second phase of buffer planting along
creek headwaters. The fi rst phase — a 16,000 square foot buffer —
was planted in fall 2012.
Rock Lane Park
Spring ‘14: 25 area residents gathered to plant 100 trees along
the stream, adding 15,000 square feet of riparian buffer to this
Tookany Creek tributary.
including PEC, Temple, Villanova, and Saint Joseph’s universities,
the Lower Merion Conservancy, Wissahickon Valley Watershed
Association, and others.
This effort will support staffi ng, monitoring, and operational
projects to:
• Implement and monitor on-the-ground green infrastructure,
tree planting, and wetland construction projects
• Support citizen volunteer efforts to advocate for improved
water quality and restoration
Awards
Creekside Buffers at Abington Jr. High School & Cedarbrook
Middle School plus Vernon Park Rain Garden all received:
• National Wildlife Federation Certifi ed Wildlife Habitat®
• National Audubon Society Bird Habitat Recognition
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Community
Greening Award
TTF works closely with key stakeholders including the
Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), Philadelphia Parks &
Recreation (PPR), the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC),
Cheltenham Township and School District, Abington School
District, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS),
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) and others to support
green infrastructure and stream restoration initiatives.
Tacony Creek Park
Working with PPR, PWD, and neighbors we raise awareness of
watershed issues and encourage park use. We reinforce the
ongoing restoration of Tacony Creek Park by engaging people
in fun and educational activities — from plantings, cleanups and
storm drain marking to nature and bird walks. New to our fun
activities — photo expeditions! We hosted an outing for budding
young photojournalists from Juniata Park, who explored the park
and creek on a gorgeous day. We exhibited their photos at our
summer block parties.
This year, hundreds participated in our second Healthy Trails
5k Run/Walk and “Celebrate Your Park” block parties.
These signature events allowed TTF to introduce the community
to its restored park… and gave us insight into the activities and
improvements community members want.
Engaging Our Stakeholders
Managing Rainfall Tour
TTF launched Managing Rainfall: TTF Stormwater Tours with
funding from the Water Resource Education Network (WREN) of
the PA League of Women Voters Citizen Education Fund
through a Growing Greener grant from the PA Department of
Environmental Protection. Targeted at municipal offi cials, staff,
and volunteers, these tours provided an opportunity to showcase
innovative projects, including one that TTF created — our rain
garden in Vernon Park.
Teacher Training
Fairmount Water Works (FWW) and TTF teamed up to provide
Understanding the Urban Watershed: Making the Classroom to
Schoolyard Connection for teachers in our watershed.
This training introduced educators to new events and resources
within our region.
Environmental Camp
Nine young women participated in a camp focusing on water
issues throughout the city and our watershed! Funded by the
Society of Women Environmental Professionals of Greater
Philadelphia, the two week program focused on environmental
careers with an emphasis on water. Led by FWW and TTF, campers
traveled throughout the urban watershed to learn about water
quality issues.
Growing Upstream and Downstream
In spring 2014, TTF and the Pennypack Ecological Restoration
Trust (PERT) announced that their newly established partnership
would receive $442,000 over 36 months through the William Penn
Foundation’s Delaware River Watershed Initiative. These funds
will be used to demonstrate stream restoration and green
infrastructure projects and inform municipal stormwater permits
and public investments, using monitoring data through science
based efforts.
This initiative is a collaboration of leading conservation
organizations aligning their work to protect land, restore
streams, test innovative approaches in ecologically signifi cant
places, and monitor results over time. Organizations include:
the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the Open Space Institute,
and more than 40 additional national and regional organizations,
According to Julie Slavet, TTF Executive Director,
“We’ll be able to take the lessons we’ve learned by being
part of PWD’s Green City, Clean Waters program and apply
these upstream. Access to these leading environmental and
academic institutions will enable a small organization like
ours to ensure quality projects, education, and monitoring...”
Improving the watershedfrom upstream to downstream.ving the watershedving the watershed
Protecting Upstream Tributaries
Abington Junior High School
Fall ‘13: Planting 300+ native trees, shrubs, and grasses to
complete the second phase of buffer planting along
creek headwaters. The fi rst phase — a 16,000 square foot buffer —
was planted in fall 2012.
Rock Lane Park
Spring ‘14: 25 area residents gathered to plant 100 trees along
the stream, adding 15,000 square feet of riparian buffer to this
Tookany Creek tributary.
including PEC, Temple, Villanova, and Saint Joseph’s universities,
the Lower Merion Conservancy, Wissahickon Valley Watershed
Association, and others.
This effort will support staffi ng, monitoring, and operational
projects to:
• Implement and monitor on-the-ground green infrastructure,
tree planting, and wetland construction projects
• Support citizen volunteer efforts to advocate for improved
water quality and restoration
Awards
Creekside Buffers at Abington Jr. High School & Cedarbrook
Middle School plus Vernon Park Rain Garden all received:
• National Wildlife Federation Certifi ed Wildlife Habitat®
• National Audubon Society Bird Habitat Recognition
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Community
Greening Award
TTF presented our third successful Watershed Milestones Award
Ceremony & Reception on May 21, 2014. We brought the
celebration into our watershed by hosting it at Tacony Creek
Park’s Juniata Golf Club. Watershed leaders from across our
region networked and celebrated all of our accomplishments.
We had the opportunity to honor some fantastic watershed
stewards and showcase the work they’ve done to improve
our watershed. We also inaugurated our Legacy Award, which
we bestowed on TTF’s fi rst President, Gerry Kaufman.
Honorees
Friend of the TTF Watershed
Aine Doley
Friends of High School Park
Hasan Malik
TTF Watershed Municipal Leader
PowerCorpsPHL
Rick Howley, Philadelphia Water Department &
Rob Armstrong, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
TTF Watershed Educator
Arcadia University
Wissahickon Charter School
TTF Watershed Corporate Steward
Cardone Industries
TTF Watershed Non-Profit Steward
NorthEast Treatment Centers
TTF Watershed Youth Champion
Chris Carrington, Sabina Knapp, Michael Le & Elizabeth Le,
Abington School District students
TTF Watershed Legacy Award
Gerry Kaufman
Watershed Milestones Recognizing a Year of Watershed Growth at the
Award CeremonyWatershed Milter
&eses
Receptiontones to
&
Donors & PartnersCommunity Academy of PhiladelphiaFairmount Park ConservancyFairmount Water WorksFriends HospitalFriends of High School ParkFriends of Vernon ParkGreenTreks NetworkJuniata Action CommitteeJuniata Golf ClubKeep Philadelphia BeautifulLower Merion ConservancyPartnership for the Delaware EstuaryPennypack Ecological Restoration TrustPennsylvania Environmental CouncilPennsylvania Horticultural SocietyPHS Meadowbrook FarmPhiladelphia Youth NetworkSustainable Business Network/GSI PartnersTemple UniversityVillanova UniversityWissahickon Valley Watershed Association
Government
Abington TownshipAbington School DistrictCheltenham TownshipCheltenham School DistrictJenkintown BoroughMayor’s Fund for PhiladelphiaMontgomery County Conservation DistrictRockledge BoroughSpringfield TownshipPhiladelphia City Planning CommissionPhiladelphia Parks & RecreationPhiladelphia Streets DepartmentPhiladelphia Water Department
Foundations
Arizona Community FoundationCora Brooks FoundationMerck FoundationThomas Scattergood FoundationWilliam Penn FoundationWater Resources Education Network of the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters Citizen Education Fund
Individuals
Charles Adams & Kim TiegerDr. Gary & Donna BerkowitzJudith BishopRepresentative Bob BradyCommissioner Bruce CastorJoanne DahmeRobert Dromboski & Laura FrankRobin EismanNic EspositoMolly FinchSaid Gharrafi & Karen ShaffranBarbara GoldWilliam & Mary HangleyWendy Green HarveyJim and Bonita HayStephen & Erica HeverinHoward & Mary HurtigGerald Kaufman & Shelly Yanoff Stephanie KlebanGregory LechDavid Major & Evelyn EskenHerman & Marciene MattelmanRepresentative Stephen & Deborah McCarterJon McGoranBenjamin & Susan MyerovAnthony & Kathleen NaccaratoKimberly OxholmIris ParkerLorna & Murray RosenbergJeffrey SchultzJustin SchurrElliott & Ellie SeifPatrick StarrAmy Steffen & Linda SternJason & Caitlin StevensPhyllis StickneyRepresentative John TaylorThomas VernonBetsy & Sheldon WolfJudy WicksDavid & Ilene WinikurJohn & Mary Wynne
Businesses
AKRF, Inc.AmazonBird Watcher’s DigestCake Life Bake ShopCampbell Thomas & Co.Cerulean, LLCCH2MHILLCheltenham Printing CompanyCollins NurseryConner Strong & BuckelewDesigns-By-NancyDiamond AutoErnst Conservation Seeds, Inc.Firestone & Company LLCHaegele Gardens LLCKJK AssociatesLanganLindy CommunitiesMatrix New World Engineering, Inc.Meliora DesignNAM Planning & Design, LLCOcean PrimeOctoraro Native Plant NurseryO’Brien & GerePennoni Associates Inc.Philadelphia Insurance CompaniesPrimex Garden CenterRoofmeadowSemanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia, LLCShift_DesignSustainable Choices, LLCSweet MagnoliaThe Dovetail ArtisansThe Frankford GazetteThink Green LLCValley Shepherd Creamery WEEDS, Inc.Whole Foods Market JenkintownYards Brewing Company
Organizations
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityAwbury ArboretumBriar Bush Nature Center
TTF presented our third successful Watershed Milestones Award
Ceremony & Reception on May 21, 2014. We brought the
celebration into our watershed by hosting it at Tacony Creek
Park’s Juniata Golf Club. Watershed leaders from across our
region networked and celebrated all of our accomplishments.
We had the opportunity to honor some fantastic watershed
stewards and showcase the work they’ve done to improve
our watershed. We also inaugurated our Legacy Award, which
we bestowed on TTF’s fi rst President, Gerry Kaufman.
Honorees
Friend of the TTF Watershed
Aine Doley
Friends of High School Park
Hasan Malik
TTF Watershed Municipal Leader
PowerCorpsPHL
Rick Howley, Philadelphia Water Department &
Rob Armstrong, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
TTF Watershed Educator
Arcadia University
Wissahickon Charter School
TTF Watershed Corporate Steward
Cardone Industries
TTF Watershed Non-Profit Steward
NorthEast Treatment Centers
TTF Watershed Youth Champion
Chris Carrington, Sabina Knapp, Michael Le & Elizabeth Le,
Abington School District students
TTF Watershed Legacy Award
Gerry Kaufman
Watershed Milestones Recognizing a Year of Watershed Growth at the
Award CeremonyWatershed Milter
&eses
Receptiontones to
&
Donors & PartnersCommunity Academy of PhiladelphiaFairmount Park ConservancyFairmount Water WorksFriends HospitalFriends of High School ParkFriends of Vernon ParkGreenTreks NetworkJuniata Action CommitteeJuniata Golf ClubKeep Philadelphia BeautifulLower Merion ConservancyPartnership for the Delaware EstuaryPennypack Ecological Restoration TrustPennsylvania Environmental CouncilPennsylvania Horticultural SocietyPHS Meadowbrook FarmPhiladelphia Youth NetworkSustainable Business Network/GSI PartnersTemple UniversityVillanova UniversityWissahickon Valley Watershed Association
Government
Abington TownshipAbington School DistrictCheltenham TownshipCheltenham School DistrictJenkintown BoroughMayor’s Fund for PhiladelphiaMontgomery County Conservation DistrictRockledge BoroughSpringfield TownshipPhiladelphia City Planning CommissionPhiladelphia Parks & RecreationPhiladelphia Streets DepartmentPhiladelphia Water Department
Foundations
Arizona Community FoundationCora Brooks FoundationMerck FoundationThomas Scattergood FoundationWilliam Penn FoundationWater Resources Education Network of the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters Citizen Education Fund
Individuals
Charles Adams & Kim TiegerDr. Gary & Donna BerkowitzJudith BishopRepresentative Bob BradyCommissioner Bruce CastorJoanne DahmeRobert Dromboski & Laura FrankRobin EismanNic EspositoMolly FinchSaid Gharrafi & Karen ShaffranBarbara GoldWilliam & Mary HangleyWendy Green HarveyJim and Bonita HayStephen & Erica HeverinHoward & Mary HurtigGerald Kaufman & Shelly Yanoff Stephanie KlebanGregory LechDavid Major & Evelyn EskenHerman & Marciene MattelmanRepresentative Stephen & Deborah McCarterJon McGoranBenjamin & Susan MyerovAnthony & Kathleen NaccaratoKimberly OxholmIris ParkerLorna & Murray RosenbergJeffrey SchultzJustin SchurrElliott & Ellie SeifPatrick StarrAmy Steffen & Linda SternJason & Caitlin StevensPhyllis StickneyRepresentative John TaylorThomas VernonBetsy & Sheldon WolfJudy WicksDavid & Ilene WinikurJohn & Mary Wynne
Businesses
AKRF, Inc.AmazonBird Watcher’s DigestCake Life Bake ShopCampbell Thomas & Co.Cerulean, LLCCH2MHILLCheltenham Printing CompanyCollins NurseryConner Strong & BuckelewDesigns-By-NancyDiamond AutoErnst Conservation Seeds, Inc.Firestone & Company LLCHaegele Gardens LLCKJK AssociatesLanganLindy CommunitiesMatrix New World Engineering, Inc.Meliora DesignNAM Planning & Design, LLCOcean PrimeOctoraro Native Plant NurseryO’Brien & GerePennoni Associates Inc.Philadelphia Insurance CompaniesPrimex Garden CenterRoofmeadowSemanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia, LLCShift_DesignSustainable Choices, LLCSweet MagnoliaThe Dovetail ArtisansThe Frankford GazetteThink Green LLCValley Shepherd Creamery WEEDS, Inc.Whole Foods Market JenkintownYards Brewing Company
Organizations
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel UniversityAwbury ArboretumBriar Bush Nature Center
Board of
OFFICERS
Gerald Kaufman, President, Citizen
Joanne Dahme, Vice President (Philadelphia),
Philadelphia Water Department
Bryan T. Havir, P.P., AICP, Vice President (Montgomery County),
Cheltenham Township
Laurie Harvey, Treasurer, Maillie LLP
Ian Litwin, Secretary, Philadelphia City Planning Commission
BOARD
Joan Blaustein, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Christian Soltysiak, Jenkintown Borough
Wendy K. Green-Harvey, SEPTA
Susan Harris, Citizen
Stephen Heverin, Springfield Township
Fred Lewis, Senior Environment Corps, Center in the Park
Emma Melvin, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Beth Pilling, Montgomery County Planning Commission
Michael Powers, Abington Township
Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, Philadelphia City Council
Rodman Ritchie, AKRF, Inc.
Derick Scudder, Juniata Action Committee
Patrick Starr, Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Amy Steffen, Friends of High School Park
Robert P. Thomas, AIA, Philadelphia Parks Alliance
Sarah Wu, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability
John Wynne, Rockledge Borough
Support & Revenue
REVENUE AND GAINS
Contributions $26,264
Grants $155,451
Municipal Dues $83,000
Program Fees $185,801
Total Support and Revenue $450,516
Revenue
0
$ 100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
2012 – 2013 2013 – 2014
$12,
470
$28,
622
$83,
000
$150
,000
$26,
264
$155
,451
$83,
000
$185
,801
$450
,516
SUPPORT & REVENUE 2012 – 2014
CONTRIBUTIONS
GRANTS
MUNICIPAL DUES
PROGRAM FEES
TOTAL REVENUE
$274
,092
Directorsrd
Board of
OFFICERS
Gerald Kaufman, President, Citizen
Joanne Dahme, Vice President (Philadelphia),
Philadelphia Water Department
Bryan T. Havir, P.P., AICP, Vice President (Montgomery County),
Cheltenham Township
Laurie Harvey, Treasurer, Maillie LLP
Ian Litwin, Secretary, Philadelphia City Planning Commission
BOARD
Joan Blaustein, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Christian Soltysiak, Jenkintown Borough
Wendy K. Green-Harvey, SEPTA
Susan Harris, Citizen
Stephen Heverin, Springfield Township
Fred Lewis, Senior Environment Corps, Center in the Park
Emma Melvin, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Beth Pilling, Montgomery County Planning Commission
Michael Powers, Abington Township
Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, Philadelphia City Council
Rodman Ritchie, AKRF, Inc.
Derick Scudder, Juniata Action Committee
Patrick Starr, Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Amy Steffen, Friends of High School Park
Robert P. Thomas, AIA, Philadelphia Parks Alliance
Sarah Wu, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability
John Wynne, Rockledge Borough
Support & Revenue
REVENUE AND GAINS
Contributions $26,264
Grants $155,451
Municipal Dues $83,000
Program Fees $185,801
Total Support and Revenue $450,516
Revenue
0
$ 100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
2012 – 2013 2013 – 2014
$12,
470
$28,
622
$83,
000
$150
,000
$26,
264
$155
,451
$83,
000
$185
,801
$450
,516
SUPPORT & REVENUE 2012 – 2014
CONTRIBUTIONS
GRANTS
MUNICIPAL DUES
PROGRAM FEES
TOTAL REVENUE
$274
,092
Directorsrd
4500 Worth Street | Philadelphia, PA 19124ph 215.744.1853 web www.ttfwatershed.org
twitter @ttfwatershedDesign: Felice Croul Associates
Photos: Albert Yee, Allison Ostertag