My name is Michael Dippel. I am 17 and going into my senior year at Kensington High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. In my free time, I like to read, listen to music, or go out.
I wanted to add something to my weekly routine that had to do with helping people and knew that cleaning our environment would be a good way to help. It both helps the world and the people living in it.
I enjoy making people happy even if some people think it’s a small way to help. I like to be active and due to quarantine I haven’t been able to go out much, but I’m looking forward to breathing out in nature to help myself and others.
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Michael’s position is made possible through Philadelphia’s Soak It Up (SIU) Adoption Program. TTF has been a partner of this program since 2017! This initiative was created by the Philadelphia Water Department to involve organizations in the adoption, maintenance, and education of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) sites within our communities.
TTF maintains two GSI sites – one in Vernon Park in Northwest Philadelphia with our partner, Friends of Vernon Park (home to the first rain garden we installed, back in 2011!), and the other on Cayuga Street in Juniata Park (home to 3 plant-based curb “bump-outs” and 1 rain garden). Michael will be our rain garden caretaker for Cayuga Street!
Our SIU caretakers regularly maintain the aesthetics and overall health of each site. We also coordinate and assist caretakers with trash removal.
Learn more about GSI and the SIU program here.