http://fow.org/BigEvent2009.php

Day in the Park - Dance in the Dark is a full day of service, stewardship and celebration on May 30, 2009. Daytime activities begin at 8:30 am and conclude at 3:00 pm. The evening party with dinner and dancing begins at 6:00 PM at Northwestern Stables. Activities will take place rain or shine and we anticipate a sold out event so please register early!
Events include:

5 Mile Race
1 Mile Fun Run
Mountain Bike Trail Ride
Equestrian Event
Nature Walks
Fly Fishing Demonstrations
Scavenger Hunt For Kids
Dog Parade
Volunteer Projects
We hope you will join us as we raise awareness and funds for the Sustainable Trails Initiative. A variety of levels of participation are available, click on each for more information and to register:
BENEFACTOR TICKETS
$250 - $10,000

FULL EVENT TICKETS
$125

DAYTIME EVENTS WITH LUNCH
& 5 MILE RACE
$30 for adults, $10 for children

DAYTIME EVENTS
$20 for adults, $ 5 for children

The Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) has launched a new Trail Ambassadors program in Wissahickon Valley Park. Trail Ambassadors are volunteers who can speak knowledgeably to park users about the Wissahickon's flora, fauna, regulations, geography, history, and daily life. Trail Ambassadors share their knowledge by:

●interacting with park users on Forbidden Drive and the upper trails;
●staffing information tables at Valley Green, volunteer work days, and outreach events;
●leading tours of the Wissahickon Valley; and
●conducting surveys of park users and wildlife.

Trail Ambassadors can be found walking in the Wissahickon in their signature white t-shirts, and park users are encouraged to approach them with any questions or concerns they have. "These volunteers hope to make a difference by assisting and educating park users," says FOW Volunteer Coordinator Kevin Groves.

Ambassadors attend eight training sessions on topics that include park rules/regulations, history, geography, plants, wildlife, geology, and current park projects. Ambassadors must be FOW members or willing to join. Those interested in volunteering should contact Kevin Groves for more information at 215-247-0417 or groves@fow.org.

The Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) announces the 2008 Wissahickon Photography Contest. Deadline is: September 29, 2008 at 5 p.m. Photographers may submit work in five categories: people; wildlife; landscape; structures; and FOW activities. All winners will receive a Friends of the Wissahickon T-shirt.

In the Adult Competition, prizes will be awarded as follows: Grand Prize (Best in Show), $100; First Prize in each category, $50; second prize in each category, a gift certificate.

Aspiring young photographers are welcome to enter our Junior Competition. Submissions will be judged in two age categories: 12 years and under and 13 to 17 years. Best in each category will receive a prize of $25.

Competitors may submit up to six photos in any category. There is no entrance fee. The Friends of the Wissahickon reserves the right to use photo submissions in FOW publications.

An entry form with complete instructions can be obtained on FOW's website at www.fow.org or at the FOW office, 8708 Germantown Avenue. For more information, contact Heather Davis Jones at davisjones@fow.org or 215-247-0417.

FOW and Fairmont Park Install First Bio-composting Toilet in the Wissahickon

The Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) and Fairmount Park staff will celebrate the installation of the first bio-composting toilet in Fairmount Park on Thursday, May 29, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at the WPA structure on Forbidden Drive near the Kitchen's Lane entrance to Wissahickon Valley Park. "The composting toilet will serve as a proto-type for future composting toilets in the park," says Chris Palmer, Director of Operations and Landscape Management for the Fairmount Park Commission.

FOW's Structures Crew worked with the Fairmount Park Historic Trust, Fairmount Park staff, and Bio-Sun Systems to renovate the historic structure and install the composting toilet. The project was funded in part by a grant from REI, supplier of specialty outdoor gear and clothing. "The Friends are excited to be a part of the installation of the first bio-composting toilet in Fairmount Park," says Maura McCarthy, FOW's Executive Director. "This is a great step forward for building a green infrastructure in the most important green space in our city, and this project presents a true collaboration between FOW volunteers and Fairmount Park staff."

Arbor Day Walk in the Wissahickon on April 25
 
FOW and the Mt. Airy Learning Tree are sponsoring an Arbor Day Walk on Friday, April 25 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Meet at the Wissahickon Environmental Center, Forbidden Drive & Northwestern Avenue. Join FOW in celebration of Earth Day! Take a walk through the Park with the Tree House staff. Activities for all ages. Learn about indigenous and invasive trees, their inhabitants (such as birds and insects), and how we can be better stewards of this majestic forest. Bring a brown-bag dinner. Free for FOW members. Visit the http://www.mtairylearningtree.org/ for complete event information.

Spring Bird Walks 
Sunday, April 27, 9-11 a.m.
Meet on Forbidden Drive at Bell’s Mill Rd. Led by Richard Berman, Steve Lawrence, and Robin Mattison of FOW
 
Thursday, May 8, 8-10 a.m.
Meet on Forbidden Drive at Bell’s Mill Rd. Led by Richard Berman and Steve Lawrence  of FOW, and Debbie Carr of Fairmount Park.
 
Thursday, May 15, 8-10 a.m.
Meet at Ellet St. entrance to Carpenter’s Woods (end of 600 block of W.Ellet). Led by Richard Berman and Steve Lawrence  of FOW, and Debbie Carr of Fairmount Park.
 
Tuesday, May 20
Meet at the Wissahickon Environmental Center (Andorra Tree House) at 5:30 p.m. for light refreshments and walk to the Meadow, 6-8 p.m. Led by Richard Berman and Steve Lawrence of FOW, and Trish Fries and Megan Sgarlat of Fairmount Park.
 
Lectures
 
Gems of the Wissahickon: Geology in the Rocky Gorge
Sarah West
Thursday, April 10
7:30 p.m.
Cathedral Village
600 East Cathedral Road
Houston Commons, Classroom 2
A walk supplementing the talk will take place on Saturday, April 12, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Rain date: April 13, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.) Meet at Valley Green Inn.Sarah West, retired science teacher from Germantown Friends School and former board member of the Friends of the Wissahickon, has been a student of Wissahickon history and geology for the past 20 years. She is the author of Rediscovering the Wissahickon: A Guide to its Science and History. Her pamphlet Gems of the Wissahickon, which discusses the geology and gemstones in the gorge, will be available for $3.00.
  
Fort Washington Flooding and Transportation Improvement Study
Tuesday, April 14       7:00 p.m.
Dr. Jeffrey Featherstone, Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities at Temple University, will discuss a state-of-the-art floodplain mapping report: The Fort Washington Flooding and Transportation Improvement Study. This innovative and controversial study was the focus of a 2007 series in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Location: Tuttleman Auditorium, Philadelphia University, School House and Henry Avenues.
 
Monitoring Change in the Wissahickon: The Plant Stewardship Index?Leslie Jones Sauer
Tuesday, April 22
7:00 p.m.
Tuttleman Auditorium, Philadelphia University
School House and Henry Avenues
Leslie Sauer, a founder emeritus of Andropogon Associates, is a pioneer in the field of restoring and managing native landscapes. With her partner, Carol Franklin, she coordinated the first restoration effort in the Wissahickon as a student project at the University of Pennsylvania. She has also developed a trails plan with the Fairmount Park Commission and sustainable management and monitoring strategies for the Park. Sauer was a key player in many large-scale landscape projects and in park projects New York City as well as National Parks. She served on the board of the Society for Ecological Restoration, International and was an adjunct associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s in the landscape architecture Masters program. Her book, The Once and Future Forest (Island Press) is a guidebook for restoring and managing forest systems
 
Monthly Work Days
 
All projects are on Saturdays and begin at 9 am unless otherwise noted.  For more information and to RSVP, contact Kevin at groves@fow.org or 215.247.0417. Please RSVP if you plan to attend as it helps with our planning projects, food and resources for the events!

Work Day Tips:
Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Please arrive on time for a short orientation, safety talk and tool training.
Please bring your own reusable water bottle to help reduce the waste of disposable bottles and cups.
All hand tools, food and drinks are provided, however you are welcome to bring your own if you like.

Next Workday: April 12
9 am to 2 pm
FOW Work Day
Courtesy Stables/Houston Playground
Clean Up and Storm Water Management
Please join us to help maintain the grounds around Houston Playground and Courtesy Stables.  Trash is scattered in the woods between the two areas, and storm water runoff is coming down the slope and contributing to erosion at the Stables.  Volunteers will come together to clean up the area and re-direct the runoff!  Additionally, there are other projects to be done, such as cutting down vines.

Directions
Meet on the west side of the park at Courtesy Stables, 900 E Cathedral Road, 19128.  There is plenty of parking available along the neighborhood streets in the area.  Be on the lookout for the yellow FOW volunteer signs.
Heading north on Henry Ave, turn right onto Cathedral Road at the intersection by Andorra Shopping Center.  Continue a few blocks down Cathedral and Courtesy Stables will be on your left.
Heading south on Ridge Ave. turn left onto Cathedral Road at the intersection by Andorra Shopping Center.  Continue a few blocks down Cathedral and Courtesy Stables will be on your left.
 

Friends of the Wissahickon is proud to partner with the Wissahickon Environmental Center, the Philadelphia Water Department and the Landscape Architecture Program at Philadelphia University in 2008 as we focus on the changing waterways, habitat, geology and inspirations of the Wissahickon Valley.

Thursday, March 13
7:00 p.m.

Hi-Tech Wissahickon: Using New Technologies to Understand the Creek
The Theater at The Hill at Whitemarsh
to Google directions use: 600 Thomas Road, Lafayette Hill PA 19444

Jay Cruz will present results of recent monitoring initiatives in the
Wissahickon Creek watershed and showcase some of the high-tech
equipment behind collecting and presenting these data. Jay has been
an aquatic biologist with the Philadelphia Water Department for the
last 6 years, having received his Master's degree in biology from West
Chester University.

*RSVP required for this lecture. Contact the FOW office at 215-247-0417 or office@fow.org

-----

Thursday, April 10
7:30 p.m

Gems of the Wissahickon: Geology in the Rocky Gorge
Cathedral Hall at Cathedral Village, 600 East Cathedral Road
A walk supplementing the talk will take place on Saturday, April 12, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
(Rain date: April 13, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.) Meet at Valley Green Inn.

Sarah West has been a student of Wissahickon history and
geology for the past 20 years. She is the author of Rediscovering the
Wissahickon: A Guide to its Science and History. Her pamphlet, Gems of
the Wissahickon, which discusses the geology and gemstones in the
gorge, will be available for $3.00.

-----

Tuesday, April 15
7:00 p.m.

Watershed Planning and Stormwater Management:
The Fort Washington Flooding and Transportation Improvement Study
Tuttleman Auditorium, Philadelphia University, School House Lane and Henry Avenue

Dr. Jeffrey Featherstone is Director of the Center for Sustainable
Communities at Temple University and Research Professor in the
Department of Community and Regional Planning. Dr. Featherstone will
discuss his innovative approach to floodplain mapping, which was the
focus of a 2007 series in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

-----

Tuesday, April 22
7:00 p.m.

Monitoring Change in the Wissahickon: The Plant Stewardship Index
Tuttleman Auditorium, Philadelphia University, School House and Henry Avenues

Leslie Sauer, a founder emeritus of Andropogon Associates, is a
pioneer in the field of restoring and managing native landscapes. She
also developed a trails plan with the Fairmount Park Commission and
sustainable management and monitoring strategies for the Park. Her
book, The Once and Future Forest (Island Press) is a guidebook for
restoring and managing forest systems.

Holiday Greens Workshops

Tuesday December 4th, from 10:00-2:00
December 5th and 6th, from 10:00-2:00

Organized by the Wissahickon Environmental Center (Fairmount Park)

Get into the holiday spirit by helping prepare wreaths and swags for Wissahickon's annual Holiday Greens Sale. Workshops are free. Refreshments will be served. Items created will be sold at the sale as a fundraiser. (Adults only please). Registration required, please call 215 685-9285.

Swag Making, Tuesday, December 4th from 10:00-2:00. Meet at Valley Green Inn on Forbidden Drive.

Wreath Decorating, Wednesday and Thursday, December 5th and 6th from 10:00-2:00. Meet at Valley Green Inn on Forbidden Drive.

Holiday Greens Sale


Saturday December 8th and Sunday December 9th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Organized by the Wissahickon Environmental Center (Fairmount Park)

Wissahickon's 5th annual holiday greens sale will take place on Forbidden Drive overlooking the Wissahickon Creek. Shop for your holiday wreaths, swags, pine roping and center pieces at this old-fashioned holiday event and enjoy hot mulled cider and roasted chestnuts over an open fire.

Event is held in partnership with Fairmount Park and Friends of the Wissahickon. Proceeds benefit the Wissahickon Environmental Center's many programs. Location: Forbidden Drive in front of Valley Green Inn. For information, please call 215 685-9285.

Hope to see you there!

Friends of the Wissahickon Lead Free Autumn Walks

The Friends of the Wissahickon are leading free Autumn Walks in Wissahickon Valley Park on September 29 and October 14. Join Steve Lawrence and other members of FOW's Wildlife Committee as they observe birds and mammals of the Wissahickon.

On Saturday, September 29, meet at 4 p.m. at the entrance to the path to Houston Meadows off Cathedral Road in the Andorra section of Roxborough for an old-fashioned nature walk in memory of Sgt. Chris McCabe, a former FOW Wildlife Committee member. Light refreshments will be available for all participants.

"This is the time of day when evening action is beginning," says Lawrence. "There are likely to be sightings of nighthawks, chimney swifts, swallows, warblers, other songbirds, and mammals such as cottontails, deer, and woodchucks." Participants will also see improvements in the habitat resulting from work that has been done by crews of volunteers in this area. The walk and picnic are free and open to all, but registration is required.

On Sunday, October 14, meet at 9:00 a.m. at Bell's Mill Road and Forbidden Drive for a nature walk featuring the birds to be seen in mid-October, including late migrants and early arriving winter residents. Enjoy the beauty of the trees and plant life coming into fall color.

To register for either walk, or for more information, contact Stephen Lawrence at 215-233-4447. For more information about the Friends of the Wissahickon, visit www.fow.org or call 215-247-0417.

If you haven't been to Historic Rittenhousetown yet, this summer is the perfect time to visit.  It is the site of the first paper mill in America, established in 1690 by Wilhelm Rittenhausen. The seven remaining buildings are open to the public and offers many exciting programs that enrich interest and awareness of this important National Historic Landmark and all it has to offer. Events and activities include several classes, workshops and events for individuals and families to learn about the craft of hand papermaking and other spects of Colonial life at the original Rittenhouse Family Homestead.

For more information and an events calendar, visit http://www.rittenhousetown.org/events/index.html    

Stay up to date on events in the Wissahickon. Visit: http://fow.org/upcoming.php

Next FOW work daySat April 14th

9:30-12:30

Northwestern Avenue and Germantown Pike (meet across from Bruno's)

We will clean up the edge of the park from Bruno's to the bridge, 

removing brush, invasive species, and trash, and planting White Pine 

seedlings to supplement the mature pines already in that location. 

This area is a very prominent park entrance that is passed by 

thousands of motorists each day. Let's get it looking nice for the 

coming warm weather.

Thanks,

David Dannenberg

Don't miss Rally in the Valley for FOW on April 28th!

The Philadelphia mountain bike community and the Fairmount Park Commission are coming together on April 28, 2007, to host Rally in the Valley. It is not a race, but a fun ride at your own pace through the beautiful and challenging Wissahickon Valley Park. Fifty percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Friends of the Wissahickon to support our ongoing efforts to repair and rebuild trails, including our Sustainable Trails Initiative.

For more information, visit www.phillymtb.com.

FOW Members who wish to volunteer at Rally in the Valley, should contact Board member David Dannenberg at suedave@pond.com.

Tuesday 3/20 at 6:00 PM
Sustainable Trails Initiative Public Meeting
(New Covenant Campus, Mt. Airy)
FOW will host a forum on the trails redevelopment plan, focusing on the need for trail restoration, FPC's vision for the park, and how the community can get involved. Presenters will include Mark Focht, Executive Director of the Fairmount Park Commission, and Jill Van Winkle, representative from our consultants Trails Solutions.

Wednesday 3/21 at 7:00 PM
Winter/Spring Lecture: "Conflict and Consensus: the WPA in the Wissahickon", David R. Contosta
(Chestnut Hill Library)
Those attending the lecture are invited to join Contosta and David Bower, Volunteer Coordinator for Fairmount Park, on a walk in the Wissahickon to view WPA structures on Saturday, March 24, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Participants should meet at the WPA shelter at Harper's Meadow south of the beginning of Forbidden Drive at Northwestern Avenue. You must attend the lecture in order to participate in the walk; participants will be driven in Fairmount Park vans to some sites.

Thursday 3/22 at 6:00 PM
Sustainable Trails Initiative Public Meeting
(Saul High School, Roxborough)
FOW will host a forum on the trails redevelopment plan, focusing on the need for trail restoration, FPC's vision for the park, and how the community can get involved. Presenters will include Mark Focht, Executive Director of the Fairmount Park Commission, and Jill Van Winkle, representative from our consultants Trails Solutions.

Saturday 3/24 at 10:00 AM
Walking tour of WPA Structures in the Wissahickon
Led by David Contosta and Fairmount Park Volunteer Coordinator David Bower. The tour will meet at the WPA shelter at Harper's Meadow south of the beginning of Forbidden Drive at Northwestern Avenue.Walking tours are open only to those attending the Winter/Spring lectures. Space is limited. To register, please call 215-247-0417 or email office@fow.org.

For more information visit www.fow.org.

Thank you all very much for coming out on Saturday March 10th to help continue our efforts to restore Houston Meadows! We got a great deal of work done and appreciate everyone's effort. Together we put in 91(!) hours of volunteer labor on top of FPC's contribution.

A lot of trees were cut and chipped, a lot of Devil's Walking Stick uprooted, a lot of glass picked up. Great to see so many new faces including people from Courtesy Stables, and another great outpouring of support from PMBA! Together we will continue to make the Wissahickon a better place for both the people who visit it and the plants and animals that live there.

Here is a link to snapshots of some of you working. http://homepage.mac.com/ddannenberg/PhotoAlbum24.html

 Special thanks to High Point Cafe for the world's best coffee, and LeBus Bakery for the cakes!

For more details on all events visit http://www.fow.org/cal.php.