300 Longfellow Road
Wyncote, PA 19095
Riparaian Buffer and Native Bird Habitat
Riparian Buffer: With support from an anonymous funder, the ERM Foundation and TreeVitalize, TTF is working to create a riparian buffer along Rock Creek, a first order stream of the Tookany Creek located behind Cedarbrook Middle School. Through this project, Cedarbrook seventh graders are creating a permanent outdoor classroom to be utilized by all future Cedarbrook students and school partners. With a debilitated stream running right through school grounds, we have a unique opportunity to enlist Cedarbrook students as champions of their own school environment by affecting change that they can see and touch every day.
The work started with removal of Japanese knotweed and Phragmites, two invasive species in the area. After clearing litter from the area and digging holes, we worked with seventh grade science teachers Karen Shaffran and Debi DiBattista and 175 students to plant hundreds of native trees and shrubs. Students worked hard and learned a lot about botany, ecology, and stormwater management. All of the collaborators look forward to installing a boardwalk and celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the spring.
This riparian buffer restoration project addresses the serious environmental issues of creek bed degradation, stream bank erosion, invasive species proliferation, stormwater runoff and non-point source pollution. TTF is completing this project through a partnership with Cedarbrook Middle School faculty and students and NAM Planning and Design, LLC.
Native Bird Habitat: With support from The Audobon Society, TTF and Delaware Valley Earth Force, Cedarbrook Middle School created a native bird habitat in its interior courtyard. In Spring 2009, students removed non-native vegetation, enriched the soil, planted native shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants, installed bird boxes and feeders, affixed CollideEscape film to interior windows, and installed hardscaping. Annual weeding and pruning will be undertaken by science students during the school year.
Cedarbrook Middle School, in its location at the edge of the creek, is perfectly situated to provide high quality, hands-on watershed education. The courtyard native bird habitat project is a wonderful vehicle for teaching and learning, and makes environmental education part of the students’ daily routine as they look at and inhabit the courtyard throughout the course of each school day. The interior courtyard serves as an outdoor learning area for students, as well as a place for staff and students to relax during lunch periods.
Partners:
National Audubon Society
Cedarbrook Middle School
Earth Force
NAM Planning & Design, LLC
Tookany/Tacony Frankford Watershed Partnership
