Check out more pictures from the project here.

Read more about our work with Cedarbrook Middle School here.

AmeriCorps VISTAs Dan Brown from Earth Force and Steph Clymer from the TTF Watershed Partnership

To see more pictures of this event, check out our Facebook and Flickr pages. You can also read more about our work in the Tacony Creek Park here and here!

In Cheltenham Township, Steph spent the day with Cedarbrook Middle School teachers, over 100 seventh graders, and Nancy Minich from NAM Planning & Design, LLC. We worked together to plant hundreds of trees and shrubs in order to create a riparian buffer and outdoor classroom along Rock Creek behind Cedarbrook Middle School. Students had the opportunity to apply concepts they are learning in the classroom, and topics of discussion included earthworms, plant physiology, stream ecology, and stormwater runoff. Students also discussed ways to reduce the litter blowing down the hill from their recess area.

Cedarbook students plant along the sloped hill leading to the creek.

Cedarbrook students learn how to plant properly.

You can read more about our work with Cedabrook Middle School here. Check out more pictures from this planting in this Flickr set.

Meanwhile, at Vernon Park in Germantown, Lesley worked with a small group to prepare for our rain garden installation, which will take place at the Love Your Park: Fall Edition event on November 5. (More information on our Events page.) This event was a great example of citywide collaboration: Ray from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation expertly controlled a backhoe provided by the Philadelphia Water Department. Rod from AKRF supervised the entire project, including pickaxe-wielding representatives from TTF, Delaware Valley Earth Force, Friends of Vernon Park and the Philadelphia City Planning Commission.

Rod and Ray discuss the excavation strategy.

Dan and Andy from Delaware Valley Earth Force do some digging.

Lesley from TTF commands a dirt-filled wheelbarrow!

Read more about our work in Vernon Park here, and check out more Vernon Park rain garden preparation pictures in this Flickr set.

Thanks to all of our great partners and volunteers!

TTF has been partnering with Artology this summer, helping students merge science and art as they explore water through the use of different artistic media. On Friday, Artology students showcased their work at the vacant lot on the corner of Clearview Street and Washington Lane in our Awbury/Cliveden Model Neighborhood. The students created an artistic rain garden by “planting” their own abstract sculptures modeled on plants they had encountered near local waterways. During the party, students gave community members very informative and entertaining tours of their work. TTF is working on turning this space into a real rain garden, but for now, neighbors can enjoy Artology students’ amazing creative expression!

View more photos from this event in this Flickr set.

This time, the project was led by two dynamic leaders from Delaware Valley Earth Force’s Youth Leaders team. Throughout the day, Wyncote students helped in each stage of the planting, with the final result being a beautiful garden of all native plants for local birds — and people! — to enjoy.

Here are some photos from the day, courtesy of Delaware Valley Earth Force. Below, Barb Duffy from the Cheltenham Environmental Advisory Council demonstrates proper planting techniques to some very helpful student participants.

You can view more photos from the day in this Flickr set.

Maritime Charter Academy’s mission is to “provide students in grades 5 through 12 a rigorous academic program with the special theme of maritime studies. MACHS students work with the latest technology to learn maritime content such as nautical science and maritime business, while achieving to high standards in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and the Arts.”

Thanks to our partners at the Philadelphia Water Department, we were able to provide Maritime with a brand new rain barrel. Because Maritime is located on a historic property without much ability to dig in the ground, instead of a rain garden, the kids built a large planter box that will be filled with plants to help absorb rainwater. It was a hot day, but with some assistance, the kids were able to create the planter.

We’ll check back in with Maritime when all the plants are flourishing and post some updated pictures of the completed project!

Remember: In just two short weeks Clearview Street will be energy efficiency upgrades along with a huge celebration as part of OARC’s Urban Energy Conservation Program. Keep checking back for more information events and information on Clearview Street!

This Arbor Day TTF worked with the Roosevelt Middle School and planted over 150 seedlings on their campus! All of our wonderful helpers also took home a tree to plant at their house. Get inspired by these enthusiastic young kids and plant a tree in your neighborhood!