from the wissahicken watershed partnership

1-Three rain gardens will be installed thanks to the work of municipal partners, URS Corporation, Philadelphia Water Department (PEC), EACs, and others. Come to learn about rain gardens and help plant the gardens:

• Jarrettown Elementary School on Sunday September 28^th at 9 am.
• Rosyln Park in Abington on Saturday, October 4^th at 9 am.
• Ricciardi Park in Ambler on Saturday, October 11^th at 9 am.
• I will send announcements addressing details and who to contact in a second e-mail.

2-Final designs for three stormwater basin retrofits are complete thanks to help from municipal partners, Viridian and Meliora Consultants, PWD, and others. PEC has received construction funding and will work with the following municipalities to complete the retrofits over the next year:

• Village Circle basin in Whitpain Township
• Center Street basin in North Wales Borough
• Aidenn Lair Park basins in Upper Dublin Township
• I will send information on education events related to the retrofit work as they are developed.

3-Development Roundtable continues with September 16^th working meeting. Participants focused on land use trends in Whitpain, Whitemarsh, Springfield, and Upper Dublin Townships, and identified areas where development ordinance and policy changes can protect natural resources. The Roundtable group will continue to work via site visits, meetings, and an internet base camp to define specific development rule changes that will maintain and improve the environment.

Pennypack Farm tour

Last night the Park Creek Watershed Association took a tour of the Pennypack Farm on Mann Road in Horsham. The farm is 24 acres which has beehives, chickens, turkeys, Apple trees, and fields, greenhouses, and hoop houses full of vegetables and fruits growing. A self guided tour is available with signs that point out the important reasons for this farm.
Pennypack Farm Education Center for Sustainable Food Systems is a charitable, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of the health, economic, ecological and social issues involved in sustainable local food systems.

Pennypack Farm http://www.pennypackfarm.org

Rain Garden Workshop

FREE Rain Garden Workshop

& Installation at Ricciardi Park

Date: Saturday, October 11, 2008

Homeowner Workshop: 9 AM to 10AM

Ambler Borough Hall, 122 E. Butler Ave, Ambler 19002

Planting the rain garden: 10AM to 11:30 AM
Ricciardi Park (across from the intersection of Hendricks Street and Walker Road in Ambler)

You are invited to attend this FREE training developed through the Ambler Borough Environmental Advisory Council, Wissahickon Watershed Partnership & sponsored by the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), Schuylkill Action Network (SAN), and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC).

Two events are planned:

Antonio Federici, a Senior Ecologist with URS Corporation, will teach a one hour class on how to build a rain garden for the homeowner. After the class, participants and community volunteers will be invited to help plant the garden being installed at Ricciardi Park located

(next to the multi-use court).

What is a rain garden?

A rain garden is a shallow depression planted with native plants. The deep roots of native plants allow water to infiltrate into the soil. A rain garden can be installed to capture water from your roof drain or it can be built at a low spot to catch water coming from a driveway, parking area or any other hard surface.

What are the benefits of a rain garden?

Improved water quality

Reduced stress on stormwater pipes and local streams

Recharges groundwater

Habitat for birds and butterflies

To participate in both or either event

RSVP Susan Curry, Ambler EAC Chair

Email: suscurry@comcast.net or Phone: (215) 591-1551

Park Creek Watershed Assoc. visits Pennypack Farm

Join us on Thursday September 11th at 7PM at Pennypack Farm on Mann Road in Horsham for a tour and presentation by the Farm folks.

You can learn more about pennypack farm from their website.
http://www.pennypackfarm.org/joomla/index.php