Wissahickon Trails

Our Water Programs Manager, Erin Landis, will be presenting at the GSI Partners Annual Meeting on March 19. This event, hosted by The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, brings together experts working to advance green stormwater infrastructure. Don’t miss this chance to learn more about the future of stormwater management. Register now: https://lnkd.in/d565CFZ5

Looking for your next hiking spot? ?? This blog from The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University highlights 10 excellent trails to explore in our watershed, including our very own Green Ribbon Trail! Check out the full list and find a new trail to explore here: https://lnkd.in/eGWxU_zg

Your brand deserves to be seen, but where you show up matters. Sponsoring Wissahickon Trails isn’t just about visibility; it’s about making a difference. Join a network of businesses that care about the environment and connect with outdoor enthusiasts, local families, and like-minded partners all while supporting cleaner water and healthier trails. Explore sponsorship opportunities: https://lnkd.in/eAwpsBCs Photo by Jamie Stewart

With boots on the ground and hands in the dirt, the team from dlivrd showed their commitment to conservation during a volunteer day at Camp Woods Preserve! We're grateful for partners like them who help keep the Wissahickon watershed healthy and thriving. If your company wants to make a difference in the community, consider scheduling a volunteer day for your team and join us in helping our environment and building team spirit. Fill out the form below to get involved! https://lnkd.in/etrAZ7Um

Nature is the best classroom, and thanks to our EITC donors, more students in our community have hands-on opportunities to explore nature, learn about local ecosystems, and understand the importance of protecting our watershed.? ? Because of you, we can inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Thank you for making a lasting impact!? Ciocca Automotive Friends of Education SofterWare, Inc. The Haverford Trust Company Chubb Meridian Bank Mid Penn Bank ? Learn how your organization can get involved at https://lnkd.in/ewYJaixJ

Thank you to Mid Penn Bank for their generous support through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program! Their gift ensures that students in our local school districts have hands-on opportunities to connect with nature. This kind of investment makes a lasting impact—not just for today, but for the future of our watershed. Thank you, Brian Stambaugh, Cindy Jacobsen, and Skye O'Leary of Mid Penn Bank, for visiting us and believing in the power of education and nature! #EITC #EnvironmentalEducation #MidPennBank #WissahickonTrails #EducationMatters

It's #GivingTuesday! Join our Conservation Manager, Margaret, as she takes us to some areas where we can improve our trails—and with your help, we can make it happen. Help us reach our $10,000 goal to: - Add wayfinding signs and trail markers for better navigation. - Install informational signs at trail entrances to inform visitors about trail surfaces, grades, and obstacles, such as water crossings. - Improve trail surfaces and add anti-slip treads to bridges and boardwalks. - Install safety barriers and steps on steep sections for increased safety. - Enhance visibility at creek crossings with hi-vis paint strips on stepping stones. Together, we can create spaces where visitors can feel safe, confident, and excited to explore the outdoors. ?? Visit the link below to donate today: https://lnkd.in/e48daJkG

Our King of Prussia team members recently volunteered with Wissahickon Trails at the Four Mills Nature Reserve: removing and replacing an old deer fence that protected establishing native trees and shrubs, planting additional native shrubs inside the fenced area, and planting additional native shrubs in the vernal pool adjacent to the trail. For those that don’t know, the Wissahickon Trails does extensive work to protect and steward both land and water resources in the Wissahickon Valley, and our projects often intersect with theirs (like trail connection strategies in the Upper Dublin Pedestrian Connectivity Plan and water quality strategies in the Montgomery County Stormwater Master Planning Study).?We’ve always enjoyed collaborating with them and wanted to support their work through our community service initiative. Several of our team members (and volunteers) live in the Wissahickon Valley and directly benefit from the Wissahickon Trails efforts (Jonathan Robinson, P.E. Juni Shahjabin Alam - P.E., and Jonny Wood), so they were particularly happy to be a part of the day’s activities. The Wissahickon Trails team was incredibly welcoming to us, and we are looking forward to more opportunities to work with them in the future! #hrgVolunteers

With so many ways to give, it's easier than ever to support the causes you care about most. Here are some options to explore: **Matching Gifts:** Many employers will match your donation or volunteer hours. Check with your HR department about their matching gift program. **Stocks and Securities:** Donating appreciated stocks or mutual funds can enhance your giving potential while also providing tax benefits. **IRA Contributions:** If you are 70? or older, you can make Qualified Charitable Distributions directly from your IRA. These contributions count toward your Required Minimum Distribution and may help reduce your taxable income. **Donor Advised Funds:** DAFs offer an easy way to manage your charitable giving. You can start by opening an account with providers like Fidelity, Vanguard, or Schwab. Once your account is set up, you can contribute to the fund and recommend grants to Wissahickon Trails or other charities, making a lasting impact. Regardless of the method, every contribution, big or small, plays a crucial role in protecting the Wissahickon and the open spaces we love. Please consult with a financial professional to learn if any of these options work for you. Questions? Email [email protected] today. Photos by Margaret Rohde, Alex McWhorter, Jamie Stewart and Kristy Morley

We had a wonderful night celebrating our accomplishments with friends and supporters at the 2024 Green Ribbon Gala! A special thank you to our lead sponsor, Walters Bailey Associates, a Merrill Lynch wealth management practice based in Blue Bell, PA. Partners Johanna Walters and Megan Bailey, CRPC?, CPFA? have a long-standing relationship with Wissahickon Trails and share a deep appreciation for our work in open space preservation, land stewardship, and community education. For over 30 years, they have enjoyed riding horses and walking our trails, and their dedication to philanthropy is an inspiration. Thank you, Johanna, Megan, and the entire Walters Bailey Associates team, for your generosity and unwavering support of Wissahickon Trails.