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

News                        

Join Plant Ambler, the volunteer group that plants and maintains the nearly 100 sidewalk planters in Ambler through the spring and summer. 
  • In the coming months they will be planting begonias (May 20th) and then canna lilies. In the fall they put greens in all the planters for the winter months. If anyone is interested in joining the group or just volunteering to do some watering from time to time, it would be most welcome and allow them to continue this beautification effort.  You don't have to live in Ambler to join. Call Judy at 215-646-8309 or contact the president, Hilary Heckman, at 215-219-6553.

Grow These Native Plants So Your Backyard Birds Can Feast
  • Birds and native plants are made for each other. By cultivating the right plants you can attract specific species to your yard. Here's a quick guide on selecting the native plants that common backyard birds depend on. Read more

Supercharge Your Soil for Spring!
  • Soil that's in top-notch condition is the secret behind successful harvests, and now's the time to prime your soil for the coming growing season. In this short video, Mother Earth News demonstrates five simple yet highly effective ways to improve your soil to give your crops the best possible start this spring.

Pennypack Farm and Education Center has released the 2017 Sustainability Film Series that takes place at the  Ambler Theatre Watch 30 days of wearing trash here.  It's a good reminder of how much trash we all create and what we can do about it. And while you are at it, check out where your recycling does go...
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Montgomery County Master Watershed Stewards Are Accepting Applications for the 2017 Class
  • Volunteers are needed for disseminating the latest environmental information at community events, developing, expanding social media presence, creating publications, and partnering with organizations in developing and promoting the understanding of watersheds and how they affect each and every one of us.
  • Applicants need not be expert in environmental studies, but should have some familiarity with water needs and a desire to learn. A strong commitment to volunteer service is a must. Class size is limited to 25 individuals. Training sessions will take place on Wednesday evenings starting April through June at various organizational partners’ sites. Cost is $100.
  • The training program covers a wide variety of water issues including; storm water run-off, creek health, rain gardens, macro invertebrates, wildlife and many other issues that are dependent on clean water. Upon completion of all classes, Master Watershed Steward candidates must pass a comprehensive closed book final exam. Within the first year after classroom study, trainees are required to volunteer 50 hours in the community. At the completion of this volunteer service, trainees receive the official Master Watershed Stewards certification.
  • For more information and to obtain an application please send an email to: lma13@psu.edu with the subject line ‘2017 Master Watershed Stewards Training’.​

Concerned about the lack of PA Electronics Recycling Programs????
  • Although PA state law requires electronics manufacturers to offer recycling opportunities for TVs and computers, those manufacturers are no longer sponsoring county recycling collections in the Southeastern Pennsylvania region. Concern about the lack of disposal options for TV's and computers should be directed to the appropriate State Representative and Senator. An amendment to the state electronics recycling law, called the Covered Device Recycling Act, is needed to ensure the availability of recycling outlets. For an overview of the Covered Device Recycling Act please click here.   See Electronics links for drop-offs of computers, televisions and commercial vendors.
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Donate unwanted househld items with GiveBackBox.com
  • Donating items to Goodwill couldn't get any easier!  Via the Give Back Box program, you reuse empty shipping boxes by filling them with clothes, accessories and other items you want to donate.  Then you go to GiveBackBox.com to print a free shipping label. The box can be dropped off at the post office or UPS or picked up.  Donations go to the closest Goodwill participating in the Give Back Box program.
2017 Watershed Congress
  • This year's program will once again be held at the Montgomery County Community College's West Campus in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The program offers a keynote panel discussion on water monitoring, 21 concurrent sessions covering a broad range of watershed topics, poster sessions, tours of Montgomery County Community College's Aquaponics Laboratory, and exhibits by watershed organizations, environmental consulting firms, and government agencies.  See full descriptions of the keynote, the breakout sessions, and Aquaponics Laboratory tour in the Program Detail.  Register Online.

Apply for FOW's 2017 Volunteer Programs byJanuary 20th!
  • FOW volunteers provide critical support needed to protect, preserve, and enhance Wissahickon Valley Park. When you become a volunteer with Friends of the Wissahickon, you get back as much as you give to the park. Through FOW volunteer programs you will meet and work with others who care about the Wissahickon as much as you do. With them you will learn more about the park—its history, geology, wildlife, plants, and more—which will enhance your experience of the Wissahickon.
  • FOW is committed to enabling thier volunteers to be leaders in the community and allowing them to directly participate in the preservation of Wissahickon Valley Park in ways they choose.  Three areas of focus are currently available for volunteers—Trail Ambassadors, Outreach Corps, and Crew Leaders—and new classes and subjects are always being added.  Read more about each program and apply here!

Tree Tenders

  • Join thousands of other concerned citizens like yourself. Become a Tree Tender and help increase tree canopy cover in your community. Tree Tenders® is a training program that empowers concerned residents to make dramatic strides towards restoring and caring for the tree canopy in their communities. The course is designed for lay people and experts alike. Become one of the Tree Tenders restoring and tending your part of the forest. Instruction is provided by DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry, in partnership with Penn State Extension, PHS, and other local urban forestry experts.
 Tree Tenders training includes:
  1. -Tree Biology
  2. -Urban Stresses on Trees
  3. -Tree Identification
  4. -Tree Pruning and Root Care
  5. -Tree Planting Techniques
  6. -Community Organizing
 
  • Online, January 26 – March 9, 2017
  • Offered by Penn State Extension.  This training is offered in seven hour-long live online sessions offered weekly on Thursdays at 12 noon or 7 PM.  Register online at http://extension.psu.edu/tree-tenders Registration deadline is January 15.  Contact vjc1@psu.edu for more information


Help Create the Bike Montco Plan!
  • Montgomery County is creating a new bicycle mobility plan, Bike Montco, which will enhance the county’s efforts to advance bike and pedestrian mobility. MCPC has developed a user-friendly online map offering the public an opportunity to provide input while creating the plan. You can use the map to bring attention to obstacles or barriers preventing you from riding safely. Make suggestions and share your favorite biking routes!

5 things you can get rid of right now — and what to do with them
  • Read the entire article here, or I've summed it up for you below:  
  • Luggage: To find a place to donate luggage near you, visit donateluggage.com. 
  • Toiletries from hotels: You can find a shelter in your area by visiting homelessshelterdirectory.org or womenshelters.org. New and unopened bottles can also be sent to troops stationed abroad through an organization called Operation: Care and Comfort.
  • Reusable bags: donate them to local food pantries, farmers markets and homeless shelters, where they will be used and reused. Or, if you’re donating clothes or toys to a local organization, put your items in reusable bags so that they can be repurposed
  • Empty picture frames/Glassware: Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores and Goodwill, 


Philadelphia keeps stormwater out of sewers to protect rivers
Explore Montgomery County Trails this summer
  • The Montgomery County Health Department in partnership with the Planning Commission and Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites is sponsoring a family friendly Trail Challenge for all ages. The Montco Trail Challenge highlights ten different trail systems in the county. You can choose the ones you want to explore and report your findings online or at one of five parks’ offices or ranger stations.  http://www.montcopa.org/trailchallenge

Support Bees by planting flowers ​​

TVS are no longer being recycled by Best Buy
  • From the Montgomery County Recycling Facebook page: "Computers and peripherals can still go to Best Buy or Staples for free recycling. Best Buy was the last widely available free option for TV recycling since most counties and municipalities have had to discontinue their programs in the face of the failing state law. If you must get rid of a TV, Best Buy and junk hauling companies will pick up your TV for a fee. Please consider contacting your state representatives to alert them that the law needs to be fixed or the landfill ban on TVs needs to be lifted to prevent illegal dumping in our county and state.  The state Covered Device Recycling Act needs to be amended to address the reality of the situation that it has created."

Philly Mayor and Council President Launch Energy Campaign!
  • The Campaign plans to raise $ 1 billion in public and private investment for energy efficiency improvements in Philadelphia's old, inefficient buildings.  The initiative would create approximately 11,000 new jobs over 10 years, and save hundreds of millions of dollars every year.  The focus is municipal buildings,  schools, low income housing and small commercial buildings.  The large commercial building work would be implemented through ESCOs (Energy Service Companies).  The Philadelphia Energy Authority is undertaking a six month planning process to develop a detailed plan.  Learn more at: http://phlcouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/PEA-EnergyCampaign-2_8_16-FINAL.pdf


Montco Starts Its Bike-Rental Program at Two Park Locations
6 Tips for Building Soil for Your Raised Garden Beds and Planters Learn about single-stream recycling
Systemic Pesticides and Food Health
  • Instead of being sprayed on a growing crop, "systemic pesticides are absorbed into the plant’s tissue, usually via the roots. They are highly water soluble, which means that a plant simply drinks up the pesticide-laden water, and the chemical is transported through the plant’s vascular system. If a bug attempts to nibble any part of this plant, it will soon die.Some pesticides are now being applied to seeds, here by growing in the food we eat."  Read about this in Eartheasy's article.  

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has published a guide to nature play. 
  • You can view or download the beautifully illustrated edition at ConservationTools.org or access the text-only edition.  Unstructured, frequent childhood play in informal outdoor settings powerfully boosts the cognitive, creative, physical, social and emotional development of children. It also engenders deep conservation values-more so than any other factor. If we want future generations to carry on the work of conservation, then we need to be paying attention to what is happening in childhood. To make conservation efforts endure, we must emotionally connect children to nature.


Tip from the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Authority:  Manage your Stormwater at Home
  • Consider installing a rain barrel or rain garden at your home to be part of the stormwater solution! Rain gardens and barrels help to filter, evaporate or re-use stormwater to prevent flash flooding in urban and suburban areas with high impervious cover. Keep your stormwater out of the storm drain and use it on your land instead.


EWG'S SEAFOOD CALCULATOR
  • Eat healthy fish and shellfish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in mercury. EWG's Best Bets are also from sustainable sources.  Use EWG’s Seafood Calculator to get your custom seafood list – based on your age weight, gender, age and more.



Tip from the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Authority: Protect & Restore Natural Stream Buffers
  • Stream buffers are the trees, shrubs and vegetation that line a stream, and they are the Wissahickon Creek’s last defense in slowing down and filtering stormwater that flows to the creek. Make sure stream buffers are intact and healthy by letting them grow naturally.

Tip from the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Authority: Grow a More Natural Lawn and Garden
  • Native plants are adapted to local conditions and often don’t require extra watering, fertilizers, or pesticides to thrive. Take advantage of local flora by consulting the WVWA and reduce or eliminate your pesticides and fertilizer use. Think about replacing part, or all, of your lawn with a natural meadow or rain garden for a native landscape that the local birds and butterflies will thank you for. 

Tip from the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Authority: Be Aware of the Storm Drains
  • Anything that washes into storm drains during a rain event flows directly to the Wissahickon Creek and its tributaries without being filtered! This water, known as stormwater, brings everything that is happening on the land into the creek during rain events including litter, pet waste, detergent from washing your car, household chemicals, and yard clippings or leaves. These are easily swept into the Wissahickon, increasing bacteria, debris, and algae blooms from increased nutrients in the Creek. Help the Wissahickon by composting yard clippings, washing your car at a car wash, always picking up after your pets, carrying out everything you bring into parks, and disposing of used car oil and household cleaners properly.  Read the entire Currents magazine here.

Resource: iRecycle
  • FIND LOCAL RECYCLING FAST.  iRecycle can tell you how, where and when to recycle just about anything. Using your current location, ZIP code, address or city, get access to vital details for collection points, such as website, phone number, directions, hours of operation and other materials collected.  iPhone/apple device- click here.  Android device- click here. 

Choices for PA Energy Suppliers
  • If you can't put solar panels on your roof but still want to suport renewable energy, you have options.  Check out www.papowerswitch.com and click on the "Shop for Electricity" tab to review different options. If you want to purchase renewable energy, scroll down on the far right, check the "Renewable Energy" checkbox, and slide the slider over to "100% renewable." Once you click the "Renewable Energy" box, options will appear for "Renewable PA" or "Choose PA Wind."


Med-Return Box Available at Whitpain Township Building.  Keep prescription medications out of landfills and water supplies.

  • This Med-Return Unit is a secure box that has been installed in the Police Department lobby. This box will allow anyone to dispose of unwanted drugs at their convenience. There are certain restrictions as to what can be placed in the return box. Use the Med-Return box but please observe these guidelines.
  • Accepted Items: * Prescription Medication, * Prescription Patches, * Prescription Ointment, * Over-The-Counter Medications, * Samples, * Medications for Pets
  • Not Accepted: * Needles, * Hydrogen Peroxide, * Inhalers , * Aerosol Cans, * Medications from businesses or clinics, * Ointments, lotions, liquids, * Thermometers