Our watershed was created by Mother Nature. Its waterways form a green ribbon across our developed landscape, flowing through neighborhoods and across municipal boundaries. We drive on bridges over creeks we barely notice. Many of our park gateways are hidden away at the end of streets. Our tributaries in Philadelphia are buried and invisible, obvious to us only when we face flooding or when it rains and they serve as combined sewage overflows.
It is a challenge to be connected to our creeks. But it is embedded in our mission. To foster connection, we seek opportunities and partnerships. We are proud to work with so many organizations and institutions, from municipalities and public agencies to schools and religious institutions, to residents and artists, to businesses and civic organizations. We also participate in a number of coalitions.
Trails
We know that getting people next to water is key to fostering engagement and stewardship. Trails are an important way to do just that! The Tacony Creek Park Trail is part of the regional Circuit. We actively support the development of the Frankford Creek Greenway and a Tookany Creek Trail connection into Montgomery County. We partnered with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to develop a feasibility study for the Tookany Creek Trail. TTF is an active member of the Circuit Coalition, is represented on the Steering Committee, and is a proud Circuit partner.
Delaware River Watershed Initiative
The Delaware River Watershed Initiative is a collaboration working to conserve and restore the streams that supply drinking water to 15 million people across 4 states, funded by the William Penn Foundation. TTF is part of the Upstream Suburban Philadelphia Cluster coordinated by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and supported by Temple and Villanova Universities.
Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
The Coalition unites organizations working throughout the region to effectively advocate for protecting and restoring the Delaware River Basin. TTF is an active member of CDRW and is represented on the Steering Committee.
Alliance for Watershed Education
TTF is a member of the Alliance for Watershed Education (AWE) of the Delaware River, comprised of 23 environmental education centers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. We work with other centers to collectively increase and enhance constituent appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of the Delaware River watershed.
The Delaware is the longest undammed river east of the Mississippi, and its watershed stretches all the way into upstate New York. It provides clean drinking water for more than 13 million people – nearly 5% of the entire US population, and half of Philadelphia’s residents.