Wissahickon Growing Greener 
Let's Promote and Educate RESIDENTS about a Sustainable Future for OUR Area   

News                               (The Community Calendar has moved to this page)

Register now for the 1st Annual Creek and Co op 5K.  
  • The race is on Sunday, June 2, 8:30-11:30, through the beautiful grounds of Prophecy Creek Park.  Proceeds will benefit the Ambler Food Co-op and the Prophecy Creek Preservation Fund.   Timing will be managed by Run The Day.  Please register soon as the race is capped at 200 entries and we expect it to sell out.  The fee is $35 with prizes for top finishers. Sponsorship & Volunteer opportunities available.Email creekandcoop@gmail.com with any questions.  



Resource: Find your plant hardiness zone by zipcode http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
  • I was surprised to see we are now 7a instead of 6!

Check out an Energy Audit (Assessment) Kit for FREE
  • The Wissahickon School District 6th graders created Energy Audit Kits which contain a kill-a-watt meter, a hot water gauge, a refrigerator thermometer and a shower flow meter, and you can check them out from the WVPL library!  Go here to learn more: www.wvpl.org or log on to http://spica.mclinc.org/ and search "home energy audit kit" to reserve one.

Check iConservePA's website for water conservation info
  • iConservePA’s web site is turning its focus to water. They’ve added new content to help you use water wisely in all aspects of your life. At home, we can make simple choices inside and outside the home that help save money and water. If you are involved in your community’s decision making, you know that managing storm water, providing access to water-based recreation, and protecting water supplies are vital to citizens’ health and well-being. If you are anoutdoor enthusiast, you know our lakes, rivers and streams provide natural beauty and countless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
  • Log on today to find daily tips and new ways to conserve. They’ve also added a My Conservesection that breaks down topics and links by how you define your role in conservation. Of course, you’ll still find native garden templates, a native plants database, energy saving ideas, tree planting tips, ways to live local, and so much more. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to join our conversation on conservation.

Is your toilet leaky?  A tip from iConservePA
  • Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month. More tips available here.


Volunteer at Longview Center for Agriculture, Collegeville
  • Beginning April 17, you can go to the farm to join other volunteers every Wednesday morning. Meet at the market at 8am sharp, and tasks may include harvesting, planting, hoeing, and weeding. Please contact Sarah for details.


The list of Montco Hazardous Waste Recycling Days AND Electronics Collection Days (they are different) can be found here: http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=1495


Too Many Usable Bikes are Being Thrown AWAY!
  • Pedals for Progress has scheduled a used bike collection for May 18 in Norristown.  Their website is http://www.p4p.org/   For a full donation schedule (looks like NY, CT, NJ, PA), check http://www.p4p.org/?page_id=5   P4P asks for a minimum donation of $10 per bike donated.



Recycle unusable Binders at Staples
  • If you can no longer tape up the binder you have been using, you can recycle your old binder at Staples. You will save $2 instantly on the purchase of a new binder for each old one your recycle.  You can also check your thrift shops to get a binder and usually they are less that a dollar in in great shape!



Elmwood Park Zoo is collecting items for Terracycle.
Take part in the Schuykill Scrub
  • Throughout the month of April, individuals and organizations are joining efforts to clean up the Schuylkill River Watershed. Collectively dubbed the Schuylkill Scrub, these projects stretch from Philadelphia to Schuylkill County and focus on removing trash and debris from  streams, roads and parks.  To join the movement, find a Schuylkill Scrub event near you or register your group's event!  Groups that register with the Schuylkill Scrub will also be registered with the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, a statewide effort. Gloves, safety vests, outreach literature, and trash pickup is available for groups through PennDOT's Keep America Beautiful program and private landfill sponsored Pick It Up PA Days program.
The Ambler Food Co-op will host their third community meeting at 7 p.m. on April 18 at the Ambler Theater.  Click here for the schedule for the meeting.

Watch INGREDIENTS and learn about your food
  • Are you curious about how far some food travels before it gets to your local supermarket?  Then join Pennypack for the final film in Pennypack Farm’s Sustainability Film Series on Tuesday, April 9 at the Ambler Theater.  They’ll be screening INGREDIENTS, a film focused on chefs and individuals who are finding ways to bring high quality ingredients and foods to their restaurants and home kitchens.  Food that hasn't traveled around the world before it gets to your plate.  There will be a beer tasting prior to the film in the theater lobby at our Sustainability Expo, which begins at 6pm.  There, you can meet  sponsors and talk with them about their projects in the community.  At 7:30pm, they’ll start the film and follow it up with a panel discussion where you can ask local experts questions about the topics discussed in the film.  Tickets are $10 each and the Ambler Theater is located at 108 E. Butler Ave. in Ambler, PA.  For more information, visit www.amblertheater.org/pennypack.

Filmmaker/Activist Josh Fox to Discuss ‘GASLAND’ Following Screening

  • Will the growth in natural gas drilling around the Delaware River contaminate the Philadelphia region water supply?  Filmmaker and activist Josh Fox will visit Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) on April 29 to discuss hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as “fracking,” following a free screening of his Sundance Award-winning and Academy Award -nominated documentary, GASLAND.  Watch the Trailer  The screening of GASLAND (107 minutes) will begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by Fox’s presentation and a question and answer session. Both the film and talk will take place in College Hall Room 144 at MCCC’s Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike Blue Bell. The event is free of charge and is open to the community. For more information, call 215-641-6581.



Using Appliances More EfficientlyMaking sure appliances run efficiently can reduce waste and make for a more environmentally friendly home. Follow these tips (from http://makeanimpact.c2es.org/tips):

  • Washing machine: always run as large a load as possible; use cold water whenever possible to reduce the energy used to heat the water; recycle your old washing machine when purchasing a new one.
  • Dryer: cut down on the number of times you run the dryer; consider air drying clothes in the summer; keep your lint screen clean.
  • Refrigerator: keep your refrigerator full to use less energy; when purchasing a new one, buy an energy efficient model.
  • Dishwasher: choose the air dry or no heat option for the drying cycle; only run the dishwasher when it is fully loaded.
  • Oven: keep preheating to a minimum and make sure door is fully closed; keep stove top and oven clean for maximum efficiency.
  • Microwave: use for small cooking jobs as it is more efficient than an oven or stove top; unplug when not in use.
  • Learn more tips on how to save energy on your household appliances at Appliances Help  http://appliancehelp.com/resources/Energy-Saving-Tips.aspx



Buds are a bursting
  • Last month, citizen scientists rallied around their bird feeders during the Great Backyard Bird Count. This month is a perfect time to get started with watching your plants and trees grow. Project BudBurst is a nationwide network of people who monitor plants as the seasons change and submit ecological data based on the timing of leafing, flowering and fruiting of plants. Anyone can participate, and your level of involvement could be a one-time reporting of what you are seeing with one particular plant, or a year-long observation of what’s happening in your yard or community. Maybe you have one of the top ten most wanted species. Sign up today as you watch spring pop!  This info is from Seeds, and you can get it here.



Learn more about rain gardens.
  • Check out this informative 7 minute video that was filmed in Ambler about their rain garden project.  http://www.stormwaterpa.org/raingarden  If you live in Ambler, you might be able to take part in the program.  They are offering a class on March 23, 9 - 11 a.m.,  Upper Dublin Township Building.  
    • The Ambler EAC is working with homeowners in Ambler Borough to keep storm water from entering our local streams by creating rain gardens!   All homeowners, regardless of where you live, can attend this workshop where participants will learn how to design, build and maintain a rain garden on their property. Also, they will share  a variety of incentives available exclusively to Ambler Borough residents.  
    • Master Gardener Presenters: Thomas McGeehan and Leslie Bass
    • Please pre-register by March 18  at AmblerEAC@gmail.com  or 267-322-1521.  Space is limited. Light refreshments will be served.  Cost: $20/person, $25/couple paid at the door.

Rain barrel workshops in Philly get you a free barrel!
  • If you are a resident of Philadelphia  you can qualify for a free rain barrel, you just need to attend a workshop.  If you have a rain barrel, the water can be used for purposes such as gardening, washing down patio furniture, lawn watering, etc. that otherwise tap water would have to be used for. This ends up allowing the owner to use the collected water for these uses instead of paying for tap water. Second, the rain barrels serve an environmental purpose. By storing the rain water, there is a decreased impact of stormwater runoff to streams which helps to protect the environment and minimizes sewer back ups. Please be aware that residents who install rain barrels are not eligible for a discount on their stormwater bill.  See http://www.phillywatersheds.org/whats_in_it_for_you/residents/rainbarrel for details.


What to learn to be a beekeeper?
  • Nancy Schnarr of Bryn Athyn is holding a "Learn to be a Beekeeper" course that starts March 23 and goes until June 1, Saturdays, 10 a.m. – noon.  Classes are a combination of lecture and field work. Students must bring their own bee veil, which can be purchased online from Brushy Mountain Bee Farm for $15.  Bees (optional for class) can be ordered at www.pabeekeeper.com.  (For questions about bee orders, contact Jim Bobb at 610-584-6778.)  Minimum of 6 people needed to hold the course.  No class March 30.  Classes meet at The Lord’s New Church greenhouse at 1725 Huntingdon Road in Huntingdon Valley.  Cost is $10 per class.  To register, call 267-625-5908.


DEP Announces Temporary Reactivation of Sunshine Solar Rebate Program

  • Interesting article: a library in CO is lening out seed packets.
    You can borrow the seeds, plant and grow food, and then return a new seed packet to the library.  The story is here.
  • On Jan. 24 a disposal ban on a host of electronic devices went into effect in PA.
    It is now illegal for desktop computers, laptop computers, computer monitors, computer peripherals such as printers, keyboards, and mouses, tablets like iPads and Kindles and televisions with viewable screens larger than four inches to be disposed of in state landfills. All of that “e-waste” must be recycled instead. Cell phones and PDAs are exempt from the law.  http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2013/01/16/north_penn_life/news/doc50eee33732874396001971.txt



…start a backyard compost bin or pile.
…plant some native plants in place ofinvasive species or turf grass.
…buy local.
…plant a tree or two.
…install a rain barrel.
…explore the outdoors and enjoy Pennsylvania’s natural wonders.
…vow to recycle at least one thing that isn’t picked up at your curbside – batteries, medications, Styrofoam, milk cartons, etc.
…take public transportation or ride your bike to work.
…replace disposable items -- coffee cups, aluminum foil, sandwich bags, plastic wrap withreusables.

These are just a few of the many ways you can save resources and money. Pledge to do one, strive to do all. More ideas are at www.iConservePA.org.




The Community Calendar has moved to this page