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!

If you already voted, you can vote again. When it asks you for the special Visitor Kit code, enter PA7000.

You do NOT have to have a Facebook account to vote. On the main screen after you click on PA on the map, simply enter your birthday and email on the right side of the screen. On the next page, select PA from drop down menu, and follow the rest of the instructions.

Go PA! We need more trees!

Beginning May 25, Pennsylvania will be competing with the 49 other states in the “Plant a Tree” campaign sponsored by Odwalla fruit juices. Citizens across the nation will be asked to go to the Odwalla website, www.odwalla.com/plantatree, and vote for their favorite state to have a tree planted. Odwalla is dedicating $200,000 in trees for this campaign. Each vote will count as a dollar, and once all $200,000 are allotted, the campaign will end. The number of votes a state gets will equal the number of dollars it receives to plant trees within state parks. Please help Pennsylvania become the top vote-getter. Log on early as votes will go fast. It costs nothing to participate and takes only a few seconds to vote for Pennsylvania.

Here are ten great reasons to plant more trees!

1. Trees help purify the air we breathe by absorbing pollutants.
2. Trees increase property values and improve the tax base in communities.
3. Trees improve neighborhood appeal, attracting businesses, shoppers, and homeowners.
4. Trees cool our cities and towns by reducing heat generated by buildings and paved surfaces.
5. Tree shade, properly placed, can save an average household up to $250 annually in energy costs.
6. Trees reduce the amount of pollutants in sewer systems, saving communities millions of dollars in water treatment costs.
7. Trees soften harsh building lines and large expanses of pavement, making urban environments much more pleasant.
8. Trees provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, maintaining a balance with nature even in urban areas.
9. Trees reduce the amount of water-borne pollutants that reach streams and rivers.
10.Trees reduce levels of domestic violence and foster safer, more sociable neighborhood environments.

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!

The Tree Tender Training is offered through the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and includes tree biology, urban stresses on trees, tree identification, basic pruning and root care, tree planting, community organizing and access to a network of highly motivated and dedicated tree lovers.

The next training will be held on May 20th, 27th and June 3rd from 5:45pm-8:45pm at 100 N. 20th St, 19103. Sign up soon to get your certification!

To become a Tree Tender, contact:
Mindy Maslin
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
215.988.8844
mmaslin@pennhort.org

To join the Wingohocking Tree Tenders, contact:
Ashley Schmid
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership
215.514.3952
ashley@ttfwatershed.org

In the next phase of this project, we will install permanent educational signage and create outdoor classroom seating with safe, gated access to the creek so that students across the district can participate in hands-on environmental education.

The Community Greening Award, a collaboration of PHS and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, recognizes individuals, garden clubs, civic associations, businesses, municipalities and community groups who have created and maintained public green spaces that enhance their communities.

Several entries this year included innovative ways to capture storm water run off such as rain gardens. Nominations included train stations, public parks, Main Street planters, church gardens, and landscapes around municipal buildings and museums. Spaces were judged on a host of criteria, including variety of plant material, maintenance, design, visual appeal, and use of space. Though these landscapes were not competing against each other, it was the task of the committee to determine which plantings deserved PHS recognition.

For a full list of winners, please visit the PHS website.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, PHS is a non-profit membership organization with more than 16,000 members spanning 48 states. PHS is the producer of the world-class Philadelphia International Flower Show, which will celebrate “Passport to the World” Feb. 28- March 7, 2010. Philadelphia Green works in partnership with agencies, corporations and community groups to transform derelict vacant land, streets and parks into vibrant, stabilized and well-managed open spaces. These efforts contribute to the quality of life throughout Philadelphia, serve as economic stimulus for communities, and provide a model for similar efforts nationwide.

See more photos in our Facebook album for this planting!