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

Water assessment survey July 19, 2008

A team of three PCWA members did a stream assessment on Saturday July 19th at
Kohler Park.
We were back at the wooden bridge by the golf course, and the water was fairly
low.

Outside temperature was 96 degrees farenheit
Water temp was 80 degrees
Ph registered at 8.2
Oxygen level was high which is good

We sampled about a 15' area with water depth between 1" and 8" deep.

Upon arrival we saw many minnows swimming in the creek in a variety of sizes.
Many could be 60 - 80 plus.

After much consideration (we believe) we found the following

Crayfish - 1 big one
Leech - 30 or more tiny in size
Crawling Water Beetle - 2
Water Penny - 30 plus
Water strider - 1
Watermites - 10
Snail - 1
Fly larvae 6 we think
Nymph like critter - 1 - unable to confirm exact identity

The outcome of this survey is that the water quality at the section of the creek
is very good.
The large variety of critters found is a good indicator.

High Oxygen Level and fairly neutral PH are also healthy. The water was very
clear.

Park Creek Watershed Geocache

A Geocache has been placed name Park Creek Watershed - Jarrett Road.

To visit this Geocache go to:

Visit Park Creek Watershed - Jarrett Road
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=633e2f7a-f938-4e63-943e-9
d645612d2ba 

Free CFL

You can register on this web site to get a free

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb

Traditional incandescent light bulbs cause millions of pounds of greenhouse gas emissions to be spewed into the atmosphere, contributing heavily to the dramatic effects of global warming.

Yeah, so what can I do about it?

More than you think. The Million Lights Project is committed to delivering one million free Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs to homes across America by Earth Day, April 22, 2008.

By swapping out even one of your old “energy hog” incandescent light bulbs, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint by approximately 400 pounds over the life of the bulb, not to mention saving cash on your energy bills. As one million Americans band together to fight this battle, a collective savings of more than 400,000 megawatt hours could be generated, and prevent the emission of more than 200,000 tons of CO² not emitted over the lifetime of the CFL. This is the equivalent of powering almost 60,000 homes, or removing 31,000 cars from the road for a year, or planting 60,000 acres of trees. Just imagine if every household in America made the switch!

Start now to be part of the solution to global warming. Register here to be one of our “luminaries” and receive your free CFL in the mail.

http://millionlightsproject.org/

Get Your Feet Wet July 19th 1PM

Kicknetting and stream sampling

At Kohler Park.

Saturday, July 19, 2007
Kicknetting! Stream Sampling
1:00 pm

Location: Kohler Park, Horsham, PA

Join PCWA as we sample a small section of Park Creek to determine water quality and take a macroinvertebrate census.

This survey of stream insects is used to calculate a benthic index of biological integrity (B-IBI) which helps to assess the ecological functioning of fish habitat in the creek. Fluctuations in creek insect populations reflect short-term occurrences of adverse chemical and physical stream conditions and provide the strongest means of assessing the health of a creek. By monitoring the macroinvertebrate populations we can gauge the health of the Park Creek

Rain Date: Sunday, July 20, 2007

Everyone is Welcome to attend this free event.