2013 Annual Report
Connecting our communities.
4500 Worth Street | Philadelphia, PA 19124 ph 215.744.1853 web www.ttfwatershed.org twitter @ttfwatershed
Design: Felice Croul Associates Photos: Albert Yee, Allison Ostertag
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
We’re ere bridging the gap between people and their water. and the parks their families play in. We implement programs that
educate neighbors about watershed issues and how they can TTF is dedicated to improving the health and vitality of our
make a difference right in their own backyards. Whether planting
watershed by engaging our communities in education, stewardship,
a creekside buffer or cleaning up a park, we’re all on the path to
restoration and advocacy.
cleaner water and a stronger relationship with nature.
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
We’re ere bridging the gap between people and their water. and the parks their families play in. We implement programs that
educate neighbors about watershed issues and how they can TTF is dedicated to improving the health and vitality of our
make a difference right in their own backyards. Whether planting
watershed by engaging our communities in education, stewardship,
a creekside buffer or cleaning up a park, we’re all on the path to
restoration and advocacy.
cleaner water and a stronger relationship with nature.
/2
of our watershed is covered by paved surfaces. 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
40%
of our
waterways aren’t clean enough.
From your street to your creek,it’s all connected. Learning how our man-made environment affects the natural environment is the first step in taking action to improve our waterways.
A mature oak tree can consume over
4 40,000 gallons of water a year.
Trees help to reduce stormwater runoff. TTF has planted 2,000 native trees and shrubs across our watershed.
1 220 freshwater
mussel filters
gallons of water each day.
TTF and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary reintroduced 50 mussels into Tacony Creek.
/2
of our watershed is covered by paved surfaces. 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
40%
of our
waterways aren’t clean enough.
From your street to your creek,it’s all connected. Learning how our man-made environment affects the natural environment is the first step in taking action to improve our waterways.
A mature oak tree can consume over
4 40,000 gallons of water a year.
Trees help to reduce stormwater runoff. TTF has planted 2,000 native trees and shrubs across our watershed.
1 220 freshwater
mussel filters
gallons of water each day.
TTF and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary reintroduced 50 mussels into Tacony Creek.
Improving ving the watershed from upstream to downstream.
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 first phase — a 16,000 square foot buffer — was planted in fall 2012.
TTF works closely with key stakeholders including the
and volunteers, these tours provided an opportunity to showcase
Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), Philadelphia Parks &
innovative projects, including one that TTF created — our rain
Rock Lane Park
Recreation (PPR), the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC),
garden in Vernon Park.
Spring ‘14: 25 area residents gathered to plant 100 trees along
Cheltenham Township and School District, Abington School
Teacher Training
District, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS),
Fairmount Water Works (FWW) and TTF teamed up to provide
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) and others to support
Understanding the Urban Watershed: Making the Classroom to
Growing Upstream and Downstream
green infrastructure and stream restoration initiatives.
Schoolyard Connection for teachers in our watershed.
In spring 2014, TTF and the Pennypack Ecological Restoration
Tacony Creek Park
This training introduced educators to new events and resources
Trust (PERT) announced that their newly established partnership
Working with PPR, PWD, and neighbors we raise awareness of
within our region.
would receive $442,000 over 36 months through the William Penn
watershed issues and encourage park use. We reinforce the
Environmental Camp
Foundation’s Delaware River Watershed Initiative. These funds
ongoing restoration of Tacony Creek Park by engaging people
Nine young women participated in a camp focusing on water
will be used to demonstrate stream restoration and green
in fun and educational activities — from plantings, cleanups and
issues throughout the city and our watershed! Funded by the
infrastructure projects and inform municipal stormwater permits
storm drain marking to nature and bird walks. New to our fun
Society of Women Environmental Professionals of Greater
and public investments, using monitoring data through science
activities — photo expeditions! We hosted an outing for budding
Philadelphia, the two week program focused on environmental
based efforts.
young photojournalists from Juniata Park, who explored the park
careers with an emphasis on water. Led by FWW and TTF, campers
and creek on a gorgeous day. We exhibited their photos at our
traveled throughout the urban watershed to learn about water
organizations aligning their work to protect land, restore
the Lower Merion Conservancy, Wissahickon Valley Watershed
summer block parties.
quality issues.
streams, test innovative approaches in ecologically significant
Association, and others.
This year, hundreds participated in our second Healthy Trails
the stream, adding 15,000 square feet of riparian buffer to this Tookany Creek tributary.
This initiative is a collaboration of leading conservation
places, and monitor results over time. Organizations include:
including PEC, Temple, Villanova, and Saint Joseph’s universities,
This effort will support staffing, monitoring, and operational
5k Run/Walk and “Celebrate Your Park” block parties.
the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the National
projects to:
These signature events allowed TTF to introduce the community
Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the Open Space Institute,
• Implement and monitor on-the-ground green infrastructure,
to its restored park… and gave us insight into the activities and
and more than 40 additional national and regional organizations,
• Support citizen volunteer efforts to advocate for improved
improvements community members want.
water quality and restoration
Engaging Our Stakeholders Managing Rainfall Tour
tree planting, and wetland construction projects
Awards According to Julie Slavet, TTF Executive Director,
Creekside Buffers at Abington Jr. High School & Cedarbrook
funding from the Water Resource Education Network (WREN) of
“We’ll be able to take the lessons we’ve learned by being
Middle School plus Vernon Park Rain Garden all received:
the PA League of Women Voters Citizen Education Fund
part of PWD’s Green City, Clean Waters program and apply
through a Growing Greener grant from the PA Department of
these upstream. Access to these leading environmental and
TTF launched Managing Rainfall: TTF Stormwater Tours with
Environmental Protection. Targeted at municipal officials, staff,
• National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat ® • National Audubon Society Bird Habitat Recognition
academic institutions will enable a small organization like ours to ensure quality projects, education, and monitoring...”
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Community
Greening Award
Improving ving the watershed from upstream to downstream.
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 first phase — a 16,000 square foot buffer — was planted in fall 2012.
TTF works closely with key stakeholders including the
and volunteers, these tours provided an opportunity to showcase
Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), Philadelphia Parks &
innovative projects, including one that TTF created — our rain
Rock Lane Park
Recreation (PPR), the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC),
garden in Vernon Park.
Spring ‘14: 25 area residents gathered to plant 100 trees along
Cheltenham Township and School District, Abington School
Teacher Training
District, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS),
Fairmount Water Works (FWW) and TTF teamed up to provide
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) and others to support
Understanding the Urban Watershed: Making the Classroom to
Growing Upstream and Downstream
green infrastructure and stream restoration initiatives.
Schoolyard Connection for teachers in our watershed.
In spring 2014, TTF and the Pennypack Ecological Restoration
Tacony Creek Park
This training introduced educators to new events and resources
Trust (PERT) announced that their newly established partnership
Working with PPR, PWD, and neighbors we raise awareness of
within our region.
would receive $442,000 over 36 months through the William Penn
watershed issues and encourage park use. We reinforce the
Environmental Camp
Foundation’s Delaware River Watershed Initiative. These funds
ongoing restoration of Tacony Creek Park by engaging people
Nine young women participated in a camp focusing on water
will be used to demonstrate stream restoration and green
in fun and educational activities — from plantings, cleanups and
issues throughout the city and our watershed! Funded by the
infrastructure projects and inform municipal stormwater permits
storm drain marking to nature and bird walks. New to our fun
Society of Women Environmental Professionals of Greater
and public investments, using monitoring data through science
activities — photo expeditions! We hosted an outing for budding
Philadelphia, the two week program focused on environmental
based efforts.
young photojournalists from Juniata Park, who explored the park
careers with an emphasis on water. Led by FWW and TTF, campers
and creek on a gorgeous day. We exhibited their photos at our
traveled throughout the urban watershed to learn about water
organizations aligning their work to protect land, restore
the Lower Merion Conservancy, Wissahickon Valley Watershed
summer block parties.
quality issues.
streams, test innovative approaches in ecologically significant
Association, and others.
This year, hundreds participated in our second Healthy Trails
the stream, adding 15,000 square feet of riparian buffer to this Tookany Creek tributary.
This initiative is a collaboration of leading conservation
places, and monitor results over time. Organizations include:
including PEC, Temple, Villanova, and Saint Joseph’s universities,
This effort will support staffing, monitoring, and operational
5k Run/Walk and “Celebrate Your Park” block parties.
the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the National
projects to:
These signature events allowed TTF to introduce the community
Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the Open Space Institute,
• Implement and monitor on-the-ground green infrastructure,
to its restored park… and gave us insight into the activities and
and more than 40 additional national and regional organizations,
• Support citizen volunteer efforts to advocate for improved
improvements community members want.
water quality and restoration
Engaging Our Stakeholders Managing Rainfall Tour
tree planting, and wetland construction projects
Awards According to Julie Slavet, TTF Executive Director,
Creekside Buffers at Abington Jr. High School & Cedarbrook
funding from the Water Resource Education Network (WREN) of
“We’ll be able to take the lessons we’ve learned by being
Middle School plus Vernon Park Rain Garden all received:
the PA League of Women Voters Citizen Education Fund
part of PWD’s Green City, Clean Waters program and apply
through a Growing Greener grant from the PA Department of
these upstream. Access to these leading environmental and
TTF launched Managing Rainfall: TTF Stormwater Tours with
Environmental Protection. Targeted at municipal officials, staff,
• National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat ® • National Audubon Society Bird Habitat Recognition
academic institutions will enable a small organization like ours to ensure quality projects, education, and monitoring...”
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) Community
Greening Award
Recognizing a Year of Watershed Growth at the
Watershed ter Mil Milestones estones to Award Ceremony & Reception
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
Honorees Friend of the TTF Watershed Aine Doley Friends of High School Park Hasan Malik
our watershed. We also inaugurated our Legacy Award, which
TTF Watershed Municipal Leader
we bestowed on TTF’s first President, Gerry Kaufman.
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
Donors & Partners Individuals
Businesses
Charles Adams & Kim Tieger Dr. Gary & Donna Berkowitz Judith Bishop Representative Bob Brady Commissioner Bruce Castor Joanne Dahme Robert Dromboski & Laura Frank Robin Eisman Nic Esposito Molly Finch Said Gharrafi & Karen Shaffran Barbara Gold William & Mary Hangley Wendy Green Harvey Jim and Bonita Hay Stephen & Erica Heverin Howard & Mary Hurtig Gerald Kaufman & Shelly Yanoff Stephanie Kleban Gregory Lech David Major & Evelyn Esken Herman & Marciene Mattelman Representative Stephen & Deborah McCarter Jon McGoran Benjamin & Susan Myerov Anthony & Kathleen Naccarato Kimberly Oxholm Iris Parker Lorna & Murray Rosenberg Jeffrey Schultz Justin Schurr Elliott & Ellie Seif Patrick Starr Amy Steffen & Linda Stern Jason & Caitlin Stevens Phyllis Stickney Representative John Taylor Thomas Vernon Betsy & Sheldon Wolf Judy Wicks David & Ilene Winikur John & Mary Wynne
AKRF, Inc. Amazon Bird Watcher’s Digest Cake Life Bake Shop Campbell Thomas & Co. Cerulean, LLC CH2MHILL Cheltenham Printing Company Collins Nursery Conner Strong & Buckelew Designs-By-Nancy Diamond Auto Ernst Conservation Seeds, Inc. Firestone & Company LLC Haegele Gardens LLC KJK Associates Langan Lindy Communities Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Meliora Design NAM Planning & Design, LLC Ocean Prime Octoraro Native Plant Nursery O’Brien & Gere Pennoni Associates Inc. Philadelphia Insurance Companies Primex Garden Center Roofmeadow Semanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia, LLC Shift_Design Sustainable Choices, LLC Sweet Magnolia The Dovetail Artisans The Frankford Gazette Think Green LLC Valley Shepherd Creamery WEEDS, Inc. Whole Foods Market Jenkintown Yards Brewing Company
Organizations Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Awbury Arboretum Briar Bush Nature Center
Community Academy of Philadelphia Fairmount Park Conservancy Fairmount Water Works Friends Hospital Friends of High School Park Friends of Vernon Park GreenTreks Network Juniata Action Committee Juniata Golf Club Keep Philadelphia Beautiful Lower Merion Conservancy Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust Pennsylvania Environmental Council Pennsylvania Horticultural Society PHS Meadowbrook Farm Philadelphia Youth Network Sustainable Business Network/GSI Partners Temple University Villanova University Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association
Government Abington Township Abington School District Cheltenham Township Cheltenham School District Jenkintown Borough Mayor’s Fund for Philadelphia Montgomery County Conservation District Rockledge Borough Springfield Township Philadelphia City Planning Commission Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Philadelphia Streets Department Philadelphia Water Department
Foundations Arizona Community Foundation Cora Brooks Foundation Merck Foundation Thomas Scattergood Foundation William Penn Foundation Water Resources Education Network of the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters Citizen Education Fund
Recognizing a Year of Watershed Growth at the
Watershed ter Mil Milestones estones to Award Ceremony & Reception
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
Honorees Friend of the TTF Watershed Aine Doley Friends of High School Park Hasan Malik
our watershed. We also inaugurated our Legacy Award, which
TTF Watershed Municipal Leader
we bestowed on TTF’s first President, Gerry Kaufman.
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
Donors & Partners Individuals
Businesses
Charles Adams & Kim Tieger Dr. Gary & Donna Berkowitz Judith Bishop Representative Bob Brady Commissioner Bruce Castor Joanne Dahme Robert Dromboski & Laura Frank Robin Eisman Nic Esposito Molly Finch Said Gharrafi & Karen Shaffran Barbara Gold William & Mary Hangley Wendy Green Harvey Jim and Bonita Hay Stephen & Erica Heverin Howard & Mary Hurtig Gerald Kaufman & Shelly Yanoff Stephanie Kleban Gregory Lech David Major & Evelyn Esken Herman & Marciene Mattelman Representative Stephen & Deborah McCarter Jon McGoran Benjamin & Susan Myerov Anthony & Kathleen Naccarato Kimberly Oxholm Iris Parker Lorna & Murray Rosenberg Jeffrey Schultz Justin Schurr Elliott & Ellie Seif Patrick Starr Amy Steffen & Linda Stern Jason & Caitlin Stevens Phyllis Stickney Representative John Taylor Thomas Vernon Betsy & Sheldon Wolf Judy Wicks David & Ilene Winikur John & Mary Wynne
AKRF, Inc. Amazon Bird Watcher’s Digest Cake Life Bake Shop Campbell Thomas & Co. Cerulean, LLC CH2MHILL Cheltenham Printing Company Collins Nursery Conner Strong & Buckelew Designs-By-Nancy Diamond Auto Ernst Conservation Seeds, Inc. Firestone & Company LLC Haegele Gardens LLC KJK Associates Langan Lindy Communities Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. Meliora Design NAM Planning & Design, LLC Ocean Prime Octoraro Native Plant Nursery O’Brien & Gere Pennoni Associates Inc. Philadelphia Insurance Companies Primex Garden Center Roofmeadow Semanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia, LLC Shift_Design Sustainable Choices, LLC Sweet Magnolia The Dovetail Artisans The Frankford Gazette Think Green LLC Valley Shepherd Creamery WEEDS, Inc. Whole Foods Market Jenkintown Yards Brewing Company
Organizations Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Awbury Arboretum Briar Bush Nature Center
Community Academy of Philadelphia Fairmount Park Conservancy Fairmount Water Works Friends Hospital Friends of High School Park Friends of Vernon Park GreenTreks Network Juniata Action Committee Juniata Golf Club Keep Philadelphia Beautiful Lower Merion Conservancy Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust Pennsylvania Environmental Council Pennsylvania Horticultural Society PHS Meadowbrook Farm Philadelphia Youth Network Sustainable Business Network/GSI Partners Temple University Villanova University Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association
Government Abington Township Abington School District Cheltenham Township Cheltenham School District Jenkintown Borough Mayor’s Fund for Philadelphia Montgomery County Conservation District Rockledge Borough Springfield Township Philadelphia City Planning Commission Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Philadelphia Streets Department Philadelphia Water Department
Foundations Arizona Community Foundation Cora Brooks Foundation Merck Foundation Thomas Scattergood Foundation William Penn Foundation Water Resources Education Network of the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters Citizen Education Fund
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
Board rd of Directors OFFICERS Gerald Kaufman, President, Citizen Joanne Dahme, Vice President (Philadelphia),
SUPPORT & REVENUE 2012 – 2014
Philadelphia Water Department
Bryan T. Havir, P.P., AICP, Vice President (Montgomery County), $450,516
$500,000
CONTRIBUTIONS GRANTS
Cheltenham Township
Laurie Harvey, Treasurer, Maillie LLP Ian Litwin, Secretary, Philadelphia City Planning Commission
MUNICIPAL DUES
$400,000 PROGRAM FEES
BOARD Joan Blaustein, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
$274,092
TOTAL REVENUE
$300,000
Christian Soltysiak, Jenkintown Borough Wendy K. Green-Harvey, SEPTA Susan Harris, Citizen
$155,451 $26,264
$28,622
$12,470
$ 100,000
Fred Lewis, Senior Environment Corps, Center in the Park Emma Melvin, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Beth Pilling, Montgomery County Planning Commission
$83,000
$150,000 $83,000
$200,000
$185,801
Stephen Heverin, Springfield Township
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
0
Robert P. Thomas, AIA, Philadelphia Parks Alliance 2012 – 2013
2013 – 2014
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
Board rd of Directors OFFICERS Gerald Kaufman, President, Citizen Joanne Dahme, Vice President (Philadelphia),
SUPPORT & REVENUE 2012 – 2014
Philadelphia Water Department
Bryan T. Havir, P.P., AICP, Vice President (Montgomery County), $450,516
$500,000
CONTRIBUTIONS GRANTS
Cheltenham Township
Laurie Harvey, Treasurer, Maillie LLP Ian Litwin, Secretary, Philadelphia City Planning Commission
MUNICIPAL DUES
$400,000 PROGRAM FEES
BOARD Joan Blaustein, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
$274,092
TOTAL REVENUE
$300,000
Christian Soltysiak, Jenkintown Borough Wendy K. Green-Harvey, SEPTA Susan Harris, Citizen
$155,451 $26,264
$28,622
$12,470
$ 100,000
Fred Lewis, Senior Environment Corps, Center in the Park Emma Melvin, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Beth Pilling, Montgomery County Planning Commission
$83,000
$150,000 $83,000
$200,000
$185,801
Stephen Heverin, Springfield Township
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
0
Robert P. Thomas, AIA, Philadelphia Parks Alliance 2012 – 2013
2013 – 2014
Sarah Wu, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability John Wynne, Rockledge Borough
4500 Worth Street | Philadelphia, PA 19124 ph 215.744.1853 web www.ttfwatershed.org twitter @ttfwatershed
Design: Felice Croul Associates Photos: Albert Yee, Allison Ostertag