Volume 14 No.

2
wrv.info@rhd.org
215.951.0330 ex. 2101
Summer 2010

The Volunteer
President’s Corner | WRV and Equestrians Join Forces | Spring Restoration Program | Staff News
WRV’s New Leadership Program | Native Canopy and Understory Trees of the Wissahickon
Eagle Scout Candidate Blasts Bamboo | A New Grant | Membership | Annual Meeting
Fairmount Park Update | WRV, Trails, and Bikes | Wissahickon Trail Classic is a Success

President’s Corner
by Rich Kurowski, President
Although it seems hard to picture it now with the sweltering summer we are having, I always like walk-
ing in the woods in winter; the lack of foliage reveals what might be hidden during other seasons. In
the winter, we can see what is growing, or not growing, well off the trail into the woods.

This past winter I toured the forest south of Wise’s Mill Rd. thinking about plans for WRV’s future
work. Wise’s Mill Woods, as we call this area, is a mixed bag from the point of view of biodiversity.
As you walk through the woods, there are signs of a healthy understory. Spicebush is very prevalent,
maintaining a strong presence because the deer do not care for it. There is evidence that mountain
laurel was once in abundance, but only a few stalwart specimens remain. In the canopy, there are
areas in decent condition with a good variety of oaks, maples, and beeches among other native trees.

As I went down the trail on that winter day, at first I noticed a couple of sprouts of invasive devil’s
walking stick, and casually removed them. As I ventured further along, I noticed the walking stick
beginning to dominate the understory. I noted how obvious it was in the winter landscape that the tall
mature native trees were outnumbered in certain spots by this aggressive plant. The native forest
shrubs and young trees were losing ground to exotic plants that can out-compete them.

I starting thinking that if the devil’s walking stick is removed quickly from this comparatively new area
of invasion, the forest can be improved; I also thought about time and energy WRV would have to ap-
ply in coming years to hold the ground for the native plants.

An informal Steering Committee meeting took place later in the winter along the same trail, to con-
sider our near-term restoration plans. At our chilly trail-side meeting, we discussed the idea that in a
relative healthy forest area, the possibility exists to get an early start on pockets of invasives that we
can attack without feeling overwhelmed. When these spots are planted, our volunteers will have a
better sense of accomplishment on seeing a restored area where native plants predominate.

Based on observations from our winter tours, and our decision to focus on areas where we can de-
fend existing diversity, WRV will be focusing on the Wise’s Mill Woods area this year. And here is
where readers of The Volunteer come in: whether it is through a membership or donation, or through
your physical help with volunteer work crews, we need your help to make our restoration plans a real-
ity. Visit our calendar at wissahickonrestorationvolunteers.org/calendar/ to see opportunities join our
work, or visit wissahickonrestorationvolunteers.org/join_us1 to find out about supporting us financially.

Hope to see you in the woods! ◊

WRV and Equestrians Join Forces
by Steve Jones

WRV is developing its relationship with other groups who care about the Wissahickon and work to
harness the energy of park users. The equestrian community is a great example of one of these groups.

WRV got to know

Wissahickon equestrians
years ago when we first
started using space at
Courtesy Stables as our
main storage space for
tools. More recently, when
we were invited to join
the advisory board for the
Sustainable Trails Initiative
(see article in the Winter
2009 Volunteer), we found
more opportunities to
learn about the interests
and perspectives of horse
riders who use the Park,
including those who ride out
of Courtesy, Northwestern,
and Monastery Stables
near our restoration site
at Kitchen’s Lane. WRV
and the equestrians have
in common an interest of a
non-mechanical experience in Members of PEC join WRV in a restoration project.
the Wissahickon’s upper trails.

This spring we began to take things a step farther when we joined the Pennsylvania Equine Council (PEC)
for a restoration project on the Orange Trail. The PEC serves Pennsylvania’s horse riders through education,
stewardship and programs that promote safety. Among PEC’s goals are access to safe trails.

Our project for the day was along a stretch of trail near Monastery Stables. Riders from all three
Wissahickon Park stables joined the event, on one of those sweltering June mornings. We removed a
significant amount of aggressive invasive plants along the trail near the creek, creating an opportunity for
installing native plants in further work this fall.

When I pointed out that the stretch of trail where we were working is not open to horse riders, I was met
with looks from the riders that said, “So what?” The PEC volunteers see ecological health of the whole
Park as part of their mission.

After the event, Cynthia Turecki, Assistant Barn Manager at Courtesy Stables, emphasized the goal of
ecological stewardship: “As park users and inhabitants of the Wissahickon Valley, we have a responsibility
to our horses and our trails... To protect and support the environment is equally as important as is our
responsibility to our equine partners.”

Diane Garvey, a PEC leader and rider from Monastery, was enthusiastic in explaining our new
collaboration. “WRV is a group of dedicated volunteers who strive to improve the value of the natural
landscape and we wanted to show our support. Besides, we all had fun interacting with people from the
other barns and the WRV guys were knowledgeable and upbeat.”

Readers of The Volunteer can learn more about the PEC at www.pennsylvaniaequinecouncil.com ◊

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Spring Restoration Program
by Steve Jones

After a tough winter and an equally tough spring, WRV continued the heart of our natural restoration
program, focusing on our sites near Wise’s Mill, Pachella Field, and Kitchen’s Lane.

Wise’s Mill Woods

This spring we have been focusing restoration work on the large area south of Wise’s Mill Rd. After a tour
of the site this past winter, the WRV Steering Committee and staff settled on a flexible strategy in restoring
this area.

On the one hand, we plan to play “defense” in areas that have good plant diversity but are under threat
from small pockets of aggressive invasive plants. There are areas east of Henry Ave. that benefit from
this preventive treatment. Going after a small isolated stand of Japanese knotweed or devil’s walking-stick
might prevent months or years of future invasive removal.

On the other hand, in other areas of this site, particularly near Henry Ave., pure stands of multiflora rose
that stretch for yards require a more aggressive, “offensive” approach. WRV Steering Commttee members
Rich Kurowksi and Ron Ayres and staff members Susannah Beckett and Amanda Hymansmith led efforts
this spring in this area. Philadelphia Cares was a key source of volunteers.

The ultimate goal for the area is the restoration of a more complete, multi-layered forest cover. Tree
species we are introducing include sugar maple, sweet birch, and white oak. Among the shrubs we are
introducing are chokeberry, gray dogwood, and spicebush.

Pachella Field
Our work in several sections of this area continued this spring. WRV acknowledged Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day, 2010, with an invasive removal. In the seriously invaded areas we continue with aggressive invasive
removal. In our previously planted areas, we are concentrating on maintaining the investment we have
made.

Kitchen’s Lane
After several years of growth and
care by volunteers, the native
plants at our Kitchen’s Lane site
are beginning to win the battle
against destructive invasive
plants. Canopy trees have now
grown large enough to create
some shade on this site, and a
native shrub layer is emerging.
This spring, WRV’s Ron Ayers
led Greater Philadelphia Cares in
efforts to rescue native plantings
from invasive vines.

Valley Green
WRV’s Ron Ayres has been
leading Scouts in a project near
the creek on the Mt. Airy side.
This project includes invasive
removal and the installation of
native plants. (See story on p. 8).

Volunteers take on invasives at Wise’s Mill Woods

Neighborhood Stewardship Program
WRV is assessing the results of the Neighborhood Stewardship Program (NSP), which we intended to
be an engine for creating semi-independent restoration groups who would work to implement parts of
WRV’s overall restoration program. So far, the results of the program are mixed. Although we have done
some good work with volunteers recruited for these special projects, and although we have made valuable
ties with existing groups, we have not seen the development of new local groups that have taken on
leadership of an expanded ecology program.

Roxborough Ave.
This year neighbors and WRV leaders worked to maintain the plantings and invasive removal we carried
out last year. We have made firm plans with Fairmount Park on a two-stage remediation program that will
address the severe erosion problems caused by the access trail to this area, which leads from a cart path
on the Walnut Lane golf course.

Clifford Park.
At this site in Mt. Airy, WRV is working with an active community group that has already done a lot to
maintain the park that surrounds Thomas Mansion. This year we held one of our Eco-Restoration
Leadership Program days at the park, which included both classroom study and fieldwork.

Wise’s Mill
Although it seems there is a potential for new leaders from this densely populated area on the edge of
the park, our success in recruiting very active local stewards has not been good. Our work is continuing
in this area, where the Philadelphia Water Dept. is planning a large-scale program that will improve the
hydrology (and thus the ecology) of the area.

One of the lessons of the NSP experiment is that very active restoration leaders are a scarce and valuable
resource; they are people with special skills and interests, and also special life circumstances that allow
them the time to commit to learning about ecology and to organizing others. Reflecting on our NSP
experience reminds us that we have been lucky to be able to recruit the leaders we have; it seems that
adding one or two knowledgeable and committed leaders to WRV’s Steering Committee is itself a good
achievement. This seems to add more shine to our “grow your own” Eco-Restoration Leadership Program,
which will continue this year. ◊

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Staff News
WRV said good-bye to our Field Director, Amanda
Hymansmith this summer. After serving WRV
energetically for two years, Amanda has moved
with her spouse to start a new life in the Northwest.
Amanda did much more than direct the field program
for WRV. She took on many executive tasks on our
behalf, and along with our other staff member, now
interim Director, Susannah Beckett, helped WRV
reach out to more people in more creative ways.

This summer our intern Stephanie Gilland was a

tremendous help to WRV, generously contributing
very valuable work and help, including coordinating
the successful Wissahickon Trail Classic. Stephanie
served as our Administrative Assistant very briefly
earlier this summer, before moving on to a new
position elsewhere.

WRV is still served ably by our staff member

Susannah Beckett, who has agreed to serve as
interim Director while we finalize plans for our staff
configuration for the longer term. Susannah has
also contributed above and beyond her formal
responsibilities, and WRV is grateful to her. ◊ Field Director Amanda Hymansmith and her brother
Aaron at Emlen Meadow

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WRV’s New Leadership Program

by Susannah Beckett, Interim Director
Our Ecological Restoration Leadership (ERL) program kicks off another series of classes in September!
The three classes, sponsored by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, are designed to
give individuals a basic training in the science of natural restoration and the art of volunteer leadership.
Participants will learn about the current condition of the Wissahickon natural lands, ongoing restoration
efforts, plant identification and leading volunteers in ecological restoration projects in the Wissahickon…
and beyond!

The classes will meet at WRV restoration sites in the Wissahickon and include hands-on training in the
i.d. and removal of invasives, the importance and restoration of native plants, volunteer safety, and much
more! Participants who complete all three classes will receive a WRV Eco-Restoration Leader certificate
and, upon further volunteering, could be eligible to lead crews of Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers.

The series of three classes will meet on two consecutive Saturdays, September 11 and 18, from 9 am to
12:00 pm and on one weekday evening, as yet to be determined. Bring a bag lunch or snack and dress to
be outside.

Look for more information about the upcoming ERL classes on our website!

Please pre-register for this FREE program. To register, contact Susannah Beckett at wrv.info@rhd.org or
(215) 951-0330 ext. 2101. ◊

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Native Canopy and Understory Trees of the Wissahickon: Part 1
by Jerry Fagliano

One of the goals of Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers is to enhance our members’ knowledge and
understanding of the native trees in the park. WRV is presenting a series of articles featuring the
native canopy and understory trees that make up the forest in the Wissahickon. Each newsletter, we
will present profiles of one or more tree species, focusing on identification and ecological character-
istics. Next time you visit the woods, we encourage you to look for these trees, and to stop and think
about the roles they play in the ecosystem.

Tuliptree or Yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Tuliptrees, which grow throughout eastern North America, are among the most majestic canopy trees in
the Wissahickon. Because of their size and beauty, they often add a “wow” factor in the forests where they
dominate. Tuliptrees can be recognized in any season by their massive, straight trunks, which are typically
clear of branches for fifty feet or more. Tuliptrees may attain heights exceeding 120 feet, and trunks with
diameters of three feet or more are not uncommon in the forest. In the Wissahickon, their birthdates can
reach back to the last timbering that took place in the forest in the 1800s.

Identification. During the growing season, the tuliptree is easily

recognized by its distinctive leaf. (See photo). The leaf is four-
lobed, with a unique truncated tip. In the fall, tuliptree leaves turn
a rich golden yellow. Even in winter, without the help of leaves, we
can recognize the bark of mature trees, which is finely furrowed and
dark grayish-brown. A hint of red within the furrows gives the trunk
a subtle warmth.

Flowers and Fruit. High up in the canopy, the tuliptree produces

showy green and orange flowers in May. Occasionally, flowers
may be blown down to the ground, allowing close inspection. It is
in the structure of the flower where the tuliptree displays its mem- Tuliptree leaves
bership in the Magnolia family (Magnoliaceae), an ancient lineage
of flowering plants. The large, bee-pollinated flower is composed
of a whorl of petals surrounding a central arrangement of male and
female parts. The cone-like fruit of the tuliptree is composed of dry,
winged seeds, which are dispersed by the wind. Hundreds of these
seed clusters, looking like dried flowers, may be seen in the winter
at the tops of mature tuliptrees.

Ecology. The tuliptree is a member of the community of living things

in the forest. The leaves are a significant food source for swallow-
tail butterflies. The seeds also provide food for squirrels and many
bird species. The tuliptree is relatively resistant to the gypsy moth,
and has benefited in areas where oaks have been damaged by
Tuliptree bark
these insects.

L. tulipifera has a role in the regeneration of disturbed forests. Seeds are viable in the soil for four to seven
years, awaiting appropriate conditions to germinate. Seedlings are tolerant of low light conditions, and
may grow in the forest understory, ready to grow rapidly should a gap form in the canopy.

WRV sometimes includes young tuliptrees in its restoration projects, since they grow fast and are hardy
enough to withstand the stress of re-planting. ◊

See References Below

References

Ann Fowler Rhoads and Timothy A. Block. Trees of Pennsylvania: A Complete Reference Guide. University of Pennsylva-
nia Press, Philadelphia, 2005.

Ann Fowler Rhoads and Timothy A. Block. The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual, 2nd Ed. University of Penn-
sylvania Press, Philadelphia, 2007.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Silvics of North America, Vol. 2, Hardwoods: Yellow-poplar. Accessed
online at: www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_2/liriodendron/tulipifera.htm.

Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. VT Tree ID: Yellow-poplar. Accessed
online at: www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=54.

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Eagle Scout Candidate Blasts Bamboo Near Valley Green
by Ron Ayres
When Zach Schwarz was searching for an ecological project to satisfy his Eagle Scout aspirations, he
wanted to make an impact that would live on far beyond his scouting days. On April 17 and 18, 2010,
Zach did just that. He led forty-one volunteers, principally from his Upper Dublin Boy Scout Troop 542,
over the course of two long days, to eradicate a large, ever-expanding stand of invasive bamboo in the
woods opposite Valley Green Road in Chestnut Hill, and to replant the now-exposed hillside with native
trees and shrubs. The volunteers toiled for 231 total work hours under his direction.

Zach planned the entire project, with technical advice from WRV. He scouted out the site the previous
Fall, took measurements, and calculated work hours required, based on his experience bringing scouts to
WRV events over several years as their Ecology Leader. He learned the intricacies of using tools safely,
such as a weed-wrench, mattocks, loppers, and saws of various types, and presented tool use and safety
sessions at the beginning of each day. He became familiar not only with the bamboo, but with other inva-
sive plants present at the site.

Over the winter he visited the site regularly and marked the boundaries of the work site, with a special
concern for cordoning off a section near the steep, eroded stream bank for safety reasons. Zack drew
up plans, including a schedule for each day’s events, which included drink breaks and a lunch (pizza,
fruit, and various snacks). He provided maps and directions to the site, as well as to the nearest hospital
should the need arise (it didn’t).

Zach was the project manager. He organized scouts (and adults) into groups and set them to their tasks.
As problems arose, he helped find solutions, such as moving large fallen limbs which prevented ready
access to the bamboo roots. As it became apparent that it might not be possible to remove the entire
stand in the two days allotted, Zach focused work on the central portion of the bamboo where native trees
and shrubs were to be planted.

After a full day removing bamboo on Saturday, we spent Sunday morning meticulously removing all signs
of bamboo in the main planting area. Sunday afternoon was devoted to the planting, and then removing
any remaining bamboo we had time for. Zach demonstrated the proper planting technique and scouts
planted 37 trees (white, pin, and scarlet oak, hackberry, cherry birch, river birch, and sugar maple) and
fifeen shrubs (witch hazel and arrow wood viburnum). The plantings were watered and mulched and have
been monitored since.

Besides bamboo, scouts and their allies removed Devil’s walking-stick, Japanese knotweed, Ailanthus, Jap-
anese honeysuckle, and other vines which were all present in lesser quantities. The scouts also cut down
several Japanese and Norway maples, which are dominant trees on the upper hillside.

The site looks wonderful. In place of the bamboo, native trees and shrubs are thriving. While the bamboo
is not totally eradicated, it is restricted to a small band in the shade of the woods. A couple of WRV work
sessions should finish it off. Maybe Zach will be back for that with his Scout Ecology Club (I have a feel-
ing he finishes what he starts). Our kudos go to Zach Schwarz and his Troop 542 scouting partners for a
job well done! ◊

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A New Grant
WRV was awarded one of ten $1,000 grants from National Environmental Education Foundation this year.
The “Public Lands Program Capacity Building Grants” are for the support of non-profits that work to im-
prove public lands. Among the other successful applicants were Friends of the Desert Mountains, Friends
of Fort McHenry, Inc., and the Nevada Outdoor School. WRV will use the grant for planning its future
restoration programs and outreach efforts. ◊

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Membership
WRV’s Membership Committee, led by our Steering Committee member Michelle Vogt and by our interim
Director Susannah Beckett, has carried a number of initiatives early this year that are enhancing WRV’s
capacity to carry out its restoration mission.

Thanks to the work of this committee we have an improved internet domain name and redesigned website
that allows quicker updates. Our website also now accepts online donations, memberships and merchan-
dise purchases, which helps us in raising necessary funds for our programs.

Another communication improvement the committee has made this year is a robust system of email notifi-
cations to help members and friends local volunteer opportunities. ◊

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Annual Meeting
WRV held its annual meeting early this Spring. We took advantage of the hospitality of Crossroads Coffee
House in Roxborough where we reviewed progress on our goals for 2009 and planned for this year. ◊

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Fairmount Park Update

As readers of The Volunteer are aware, after 140 years of management of the city’s parks, including the
Wissahickon Valley, the Fairmount Park Commission has been abolished and replaced with a new
Department of Parks and Recreation. Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis recently announced a set
of “operational imperatives” that are intended to guide the work of the new Department.

The imperatives include providing safe, clean, attractive, and fully functional facilities, an inclusive ap-
proach to all users of the Park, and a stewardship role for the city’s green spaces. ◊

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WRV, Trails, and Bikes
by Steve Jones
WRV is continuing its participation in the broad efforts to rebuild a sustainable trail system in the Wissa-
hickon through the Sustainable Trails Initiative (STI).

The STI is a project developed and led by the Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW), and includes a coali-
tion of user-group advisers, including WRV. Last year, STI advisers focused on proposing a series of trail
repair projects in several areas of the Park, to be completed during 2010. (See “An alternative to Chaos”
in the Fall 2009 Volunteer). This year, because funding was suddenly made available for extensive ero-
sion-control projects involving the trails, those 2010 “nominees” have been moved down the priority list.
FOW, working with Park staff, have contracted with the Philadelphia Mountain Biking Assoc. (PMBA) for
the labor on a major re-routing project below the Walnut Lane Golf Club.

In the meantime, WRV continues the role we set out for ourselves within the STI: to provide volunteer la-
bor when needed, to advocate for the natural restoration aspect of the initiative, and to make sure that the
views of all user groups, especially walkers and naturalists, are reflected in the trail work.

This work has led us to work closely with PMBA leaders and activists, who are the most significant play-
ers in the initiative. Although our relationship is developing, it not always an easy one. PMBA leaders, like
other Park users, naturally reflect their main interest in the Park trails: to have an appropriate surface on
which to ride bikes. That being said, they also have a sincere interest in understanding the perspective
of others, including WRV’s. We have had a number of invitations from PMBA leaders to review trail work
and to provide advice and volunteer help on PMBA trail projects.

This spring, through our connection to the STI, I joined volunteers in one of PMBA’s trail maintenance
work groups. The project focused on invasive removal in an area that PMBA hopes to use for the re-rout-
ing of a trail as part of the STI. This was a very energetic and effective crew, and, as always, I was im-
pressed by the warmth and passion of the biker volunteers. PMBA leaders, as always, were anxious to
express their concern about conservation issues in the Park, especially the need to design trails that con-
tribute as little as possible to erosion. They constantly emphasize a desire to work with WRV as a partner.

This spring and summer WRV also took advantage of the PMBA/FOW/STI connection to ask for help with
trail issues at our Neighborhood Stewardship Project site near Roxborough Ave. This site is plagued by
erosion problems which are reaching crisis point. Along with PMBA’s Dan Mercer, we proposed a miti-
gation program to Park staff which includes borrowing FOW’s equipment to create structures to re-route
surface water. Dan also advised us on an approach to close the maze of social trails in the area that are
further fragmenting an already stressed forest fragment.

We hope to see the results of this work this fall. ◊

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Wissahickon Trail Classic is a Success
Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers and runners, the fifth an- Special Thanks To:
nual Wissahickon Trail Classic is in the book as another success.
The event took place on a beautiful (but hot) June morning and
attracted over 400 participants. WRV’s Susannah Beckett,
Volunteer Coordinator, and
The main event, a 10K run, brought a spirited crowd of runners onto Stephanie Gilland, Event
the upper trails and Forbidden Dr. Congratulations to Josh Loren, Coordinator
the top finisher overall, and to Claire Duncan, the top female fin-
Our partners, the Wissahickon
isher. Wanderers, especially Phil
Ranly, the chair of the Race
For the first time, the WTC also included a 5K walk, which brought Committee
about twenty-five participants through a route that allowed an
introduction to WRV’s program as well as great views of the creek Our race manager, Ron Horn,
and forest. of Pretzel City Sports

The WTC is an important fund-raiser for WRV. It provides us with a Registration, food and water
volunteers, race sweep: Susan
string-free source of income that we can use to support the direct Hurrey Tammy Leigh, Gin
costs of our restoration program, including plant material and staff
Ranly, Maureen Mignogna,
time.
Helen Cheung, Leslie Turchetti,
We owe a big debt to the many volunteers who made the event Alyson Harris, Nancy Kahn,
possible. They did everything from registration to folding T-shirts to Michelle Vogt, Sharon Schmidt,
organizing food! ◊ and Link Cullum
Photographer Tammy Leigh
DeMent
The Fairmount Park Rangers
Our event supporters who
provided services, food, prizes
for runners, and funding:

Expert Technology Associates

Earth Bread + Brewery
Vita Coco
General Lafayette Inn
and Brewery
Chestnut Hill College
The Couch Tomato
Chestnut Hill Camera
Shop, Inc.
Crossroads Coffee House
RoadID
East River Bank
Marketplace at East Falls
ShopRite of Roxborough
Valley Green Bank
Trader Joe’s
Runners at the start of this years WTC Valley Green Inn
ING
Philadelphia Runner
Herr’s
Jaz Press
Rita’s Water Ice

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