TTF along with partners Abington School District staff and students, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), the Philadelphia Water Department, the Abington Environmental Advisory Council and Montgomery County Conservation District celebrated the installation of a permanent interpretive sign at the newly blooming riparian buffer planted last October at this critical Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Creek headwater.
Remarks were made by TTF Executive Director, Julie Slavet; Abington School District Supervisor of Facilities, Stephen Saile; Abington Junior High Principal, Dr. Mark Pellicio; Abington Township EAC Chairperson, Jennifer Sherwood; Montgomery County Conservation District Watershed Specialist, Susan Harris; and PHS Plant One Million Director and Vice President of Business Development, Jimmy Owens.
Rainwater carries chemicals, trash, and other materials over land and into storm drains and creeks, adversely impacting waterways, plants, and wildlife. Riparian buffers help absorb and filter rainwater before it reaches these creeks.
This buffer will improve the health of the creek and provides a permanent outdoor classroom. It will provide an opportunity for students, as well as neighbors to learn how this creek impacts the health of this 30 square mile watershed and the Delaware River, one of the sources of drinking water for Philadelphia.
If you live along a creek, you can plant a buffer, too! You can learn how by stopping by to see the sign or by visiting TTF’s Riparian Buffer page here.
Over 100 volunteers from across the region helped to plant the buffer along the headwaters of East Baeder Creek located at the playing fields at Abington Junior High School. Led by TTF in collaboration with school clubs, the Abington Environmental Advisory Commission, and Briar Bush Nature Center, this project planted over 500 native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.
For pictures from the planting, visit TTF’s Flickr.
This project was funded through a Treevitalize Watershed grant made possible by PHS through funding from the Department of Environmental Protection and Aqua Pennsylvania and an anonymous donor.
In addition to beautifying our watershed, buffers play a key role in improving water quality in streams and rivers, providing these benefits:
- Increased on-site stormwater infiltration
- Decreased non-point source pollution
- Prevention of excessive downstream flows
- Decreased water temperature through shading
- Improved habitat for wildlife
- Increased opportunity for watershed education
Questions? Contact TTF at 215.844.8100.
