Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association Inc

TO PROTECT THE QUALITY & BEAUTY OF THE WISSAHICKON CREEK & TO ENHANCE LIFE IN THE WATERSHED.

CONSERVATION - LAND ACQUIRED THROUGH PURCHASE OR EASEMENT RIGHTS IS MAINTAINED AS NATURAL OPEN SPACE ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE WISSAHICKON CREEK. WALKING TRAILS WITH BRIDGES, STEPPING STONES AND SIGNAGE ARE MAINTAINED SO THAT WISSAHICKON WATERSHED RESIDENTS AND VISITORS CAN EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF NATURAL AREAS. PRESERVING WOODLANDS, RE-FORESTING FARMLANDS AND STREAM BANK RESTORATION PROTECTS THE CREEK BY PREVENTING EXCESSIVE STORM WATER RUNOFF AND THE DRAINING OF HARMFUL CHEMICALS INTO THE CREEK. WISSAHICKON TRAILS WORKS WITH LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES, LANDOWNERS AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS TO PRESERVE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE PARCELS NOT DIRECTLY ADJOINING THE CREEK. WVWA IS A LEADER IN COORDINATING EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE WATER QUALITY OF THE WISSAHICKON CREEK. (CONT. ON SCH. O)WISSAHICKON TRAILS REGULARLY MEASURES SEVERAL DIFFERENT INDICATORS OF THE HEALTH OF THE CREEK AND PROVIDES THE DATA TO MUNICIPALITIES AND LOCAL WATER SUPPLIERS.

ENGAGEMENT1) EDUCATION AND OUTREACH - A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND CLASSES ARE OFFERED TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE NATURAL WORLD AND THE PLACE HUMANS HOLD IN IT. CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS ARE PROVIDED ON-SITE AT THE HEADQUARTERS: FOUR MILLS BARN AT THE 53-ACRE FOUR MILLS NATURE PRESERVE. THE LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAM INCLUDES PRESERVE WALKS, LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON CONSERVATION. COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS AND WISSAHICKON TRAILS SUPPORTERS COMMIT THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO HELP IMPROVE THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, SUPERVISED BY WISSAHICKON TRAILS' PROFESSIONAL STAFF. AN ANNUAL CREEK CLEAN UP IS CONDUCTED TO REMOVE TRASH AND DEBRIS FROM THE WISSAHICKON CREEK AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. (CONT. ON SCH. O) HUNDREDS OF WISSAHICKON WATERSHED RESIDENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES PARTICIPATE IN THIS IMPORTANT EFFORT TO IMPROVE ONE OF THE MOST VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE NATURAL RESOURCES.2) EVANS-MUMBOWER MILL - AS PART OF ITS MISSION, WVWA ALSO PRESERVES HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SITES WHICH ARE OF SIGNIFICANCE TO THE WISSAHICKON CREEK. IN 1987, WISSAHICKON TRAILS WAS DEEDED THE LAND AND REMAINS OF A HISTORIC MILL IN UPPER GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP. FUNDING THROUGH VARIOUS GRANTS AND DONATIONS HAS ALLOWED WISSAHICKON TRAILS TO PROGRESSIVELY RESTORE THE MILL. THE PROPERTY IS NOW ACCESSIBLE FOR THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED WITH AN EXTERIOR RAMP AND LIFT. IT HOSTED A SEVEN-YEAR ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG THAT TURNED UP ARTIFACTS AND ENHANCED THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE BUILDING STRUCTURE AND ITS FORMER OPERATIONAL CAPACITY DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE MILLING INDUSTRY IN THE 18TH AND EARLY 19TH CENTURIES.TO INTERPRET THE MILL FOR THE PUBLIC, OPEN HOUSES ARE CONDUCTED REGULARLY, WITH TOURS AND ACTUAL MILL PRODUCTION (LIMITED BASIS) OF CORN FLOUR. WISSAHICKON TRAILS HOSTS AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL AT THE MILL THAT INCLUDES ARTISANS OF THE DAY AND STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ATTIRED IN PERIOD DRESS.