Winter 2023
Water Connects Us: Streamkeeper News
Restoring our Creeks
The parking lot at Adath Jeshurun, site of proposed work.
In January, TTF was awarded $260,788 for green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) projects at Congregation Adath Jeshurun through the Growing Greener program of the PA Department of Environmental Protection for work along Leech's Run, a tributary to the Tookany Creek in Cheltenham.

This project will manage stormwater from the approximately 2.5 acres of impervious surfaces on-site through a number of GSI measures: impervious surface reduction, a bio-retention island, a rain garden, and subsurface storage.

Read more about this funding here.
The maintenance lot at Alverthorpe Park where subsurface stormwater storage will be installed.
TTF was awarded $175,000 in funds from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development for restoration work in Alverthorpe Park. This adds to existing funding for over $700,000 for the installation of sub-surface storage below the maintenance lot. This innovative design will utilize stackable crates to increase storage capacity and slow the flow of stormwater to Jenkintown Creek.

This project will manage 21 acres of stormwater. Construction will begin this spring. A special thank you to Representative Ben Sanchez for helping us to secure this critical funding.

Read more about this funding here.
Community Engagement
Volunteer Recap 2022
We are incredibly grateful for all of the work of our wonderful volunteers and are blown away by their support this past year.

In 2022, from March through November, we hosted 12 volunteer events in Montgomery County, at 6 different restoration sites, including 5 planting events, and 5 maintenance days.

76 volunteers contributed:
  • 200 volunteer hours
  • Planted 1,085 native perennials
  • Planted 193 native trees and shrubs
  • Harvested and installed 163 live stakes

These volunteers maintain restoration projects that continue to improve water quality, provide habitat for native species, and beautify our communities.

A special thank you to Manor College, Temple University Biology Society & Society of Engineers and Environmental Scientists, and the American Society of Civil Engineers Young Member Forum.
Creek Care Days Are Back!
Join us for one of our monthly Creek Care Days!

From March through November, we'll be at one of our restoration sites once each month for maintenance or planting! All tools and supplies will be provided, including work gloves (though you're welcome to bring your own).

We'll be working at different sites each month, so be sure to check our events calendar. These events are perfect if you need regular volunteer hours for school, or if you're just looking to get your hands dirty once or twice while helping your community!
Our first Creek Care Day of the year will be:
Sunday April 16, 10am to 1pm
8339 Old York Rd, Elkins Park 19027

We'll plant native perennials, shrubs, and trees as part of the parking lot retrofit.
Rain date: Sunday April 23, 10am to 1pm
Are you part of a volunteer group? We can plan an event with you! Complete our volunteer interest form here.

Questions? Contact ryan@ttfwatershed.org or 215-744-1853.
Citizen Science in Action
Our Streamkeepers Rule!
Streamkeepers are invaluable to our clean water work. They multiply what we can achieve and advocate for our creeks as informed members of the watershed community.

What did Streamkeepers accomplish this past year?

  • Tabled at 3 community events
  • Submitted 161 Streamkeeper reports
  • Spent 98 hours Streamkeeping
  • Installed 163 live stakes
  • Spent 38 hours maintaining projects
  • Collected 40 water samples during chloride blitz
  • Submitted 7 habitat surveys
  • Monitored 20 Streamkeeper sites
  • Made 3 presentations
  • Attended 7 training sessions
  • Volunteered 183 hours
Streamkeepers:
A Learning Community
This winter, Streamkeepers took a tour of the Upper Moreland-Hatboro Joint Sewer Authority located in the Pennypack watershed. Streamkeepers learned about the process of wastewater treatment before the water is returned to Pennypack Creek. They walked through the plant, viewing each rigorous step in the water filtration process.

In February, Streamkeepers participated in an update on TTF road salt monitoring. Efforts from previous chloride blitz events were presented, with a focus on the data, how the data is being used, and future directions for sampling.

This year, we will host a number of Chloride Blitz events, the first on May 20! These sampling events help us better establish a baseline for chloride within our watershed throughout the year.
If you're interested in helping with this initiative, reach out to ryan@ttfwatershed.org.

A recording of this session can be seen here.
BE A STREAMKEEPER!
Interested in becoming a Streamkeeper? Contact ryan@ttfwatershed.org.
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We need Streamkeepers for a number of sites in both Cheltenham and Abington! We are seeking new volunteers looking to become Streamkeepers or current Streamkeepers who want to monitor more than one site. You can see the list of available sites on the map here.

For those who are not familiar with the Streamkeeper Program, it began in 2014 through our work with the Delaware River Watershed Initiative of the William Penn Foundation, in conjunction with other suburban Philadelphia partners.

Streamkeepers perform a physical assessment of the stream once monthly. We provide trainings throughout the year on related topics; Streamkeepers become informed community creek advocates. Learn more about the program here.
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership Inc.
Globe Dye Works
4500 Worth Street
Philadelphia, PA 19124

215.744.1853
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