FOW Volunteer Projects
What is a Trail Ambassador?
Trail Ambassadors is a brand new volunteer program in the Wissahickon Valley Park. A Trail Ambassador is a volunteer knowledgeable about the Wissahickon, who shares his or her knowledge with the public by providing assistance and education in the park and at community events.
Trail Ambassadors can:
- Interact with park users on Forbidden Drive and the upper trails.
- Staff information tables at Valley Green Inn, volunteer work days and outreach events.
- Lead tours of the Wissahickon Valley.
- Conduct surveys of park users and wildlife.
The eight -week training program includes sessions on park rules/regs, history, geography, plants, wildlife, geology, and current park projects. Ambassadors must get first aid certified and be FOW members or be willing to join.
Spring Work Day Schedule
All projects are on Saturdays and begin at 9 am unless otherwise noted. For more information and to RSVP, contact Kevin at groves@fow.org or 215.247.0417. Please RSVP if you plan to attend as it helps with our planning projects, food and resources for the events!
Work Day Tips:
Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Please arrive on time for a short orientation, safety talk and tool training.
Please bring sturdy boots, and your own reusable water bottle to help reduce the waste of disposable bottles and cups.
All hand tools, food and drinks are provided, however you are welcome to bring your own if you like.
May 10: 10 am to 12 pm
Invasive Plant Removal at the Orange Trail near Bell's Mill Road
Join FOW and Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers in removing invasive plants from the Orange Trail in preparation for future native shrub planting as part of Sustainable Trail Initiative. Meet at parking lot #5 (west of Forbidden Drive) along Bell's Mill Road. Wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately to be outdoors for two hours. We supply the tools and gloves.
Click here for a detailed map to help you find the Bell's Mill Road site.
May 17: 9 am to 2 pm
Fairmount Park Day!
Golf Course Climb Re-route
Join FOW and Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association in a significant re-route of an unsustainable section of the Yellow Trail. This section of trail is too steep and has been a conduit for storm water runoff. Over the years it has eroded into a deep and wide gully, that impacts nearby vegetation. The re-route will be made at a sustainable grade that sheds water instead of acting as a conduit. Eventually, the existing unsustainable trail will be closed and replaced with the sustainable re-route.
Directions:
The trail work will occur in the southern end of the park on the Yellow Trail near the Walnut Lane Bridge. The best place to park is Hermit Lane between Henry Ave and Barnes Street. Arrive by 9 am to meet our trail leaders on Hermit Lane who will lead you to the project site. Look out for the Yellow FOW Volunteer signs.
May 31: 9 am to 2 pm
Golf Course Climb Re-route
June 7: 9 am to 12 pm
National Trails Day with REI!
Join FOW to perform trail maintenance and prune back sightlines along trails throughout the park. Meet at Blue Bell Hill.
Check back soon for more info.
June 14: 9 am to 2 pm
Devil's Pool Clean Up Day
June 28: 9 am to 2 pm
PMBA Trail Maintenance Day Sponsored by FOW
Golf Course Climb re-route
July 12 : 9 am to 2 pm
Devil's Pool Clean Up Day
August 9: 9 am to 2 pm
Devil's Pool Clean Up Day
WVWA Needs Volunteers
The Wissahickon Watershed Association is looking for volunteers to assist with tours, restoration projects, museum displays and education programs at the historic Evans-Mumbower. This 1835 gristmill is located on Swedesford Road in Upper Gwynedd. The Association hosts open houses from April to November.
The Association is having an over-shot water wheel built and installed in the spring of 2008. It will eventually be the only mill with a working water wheel in Montgomery County that is open to the public.
If you have an interest in historical times or buildings, consider joining this dedicated group of volunteers. Your time commitment can range from a few hours per month to whatever you care to offer. You do not have to be an expert, guide training is provided. Any and all skills are welcome.
Training sessions will begin in early February and continue into March, 2008. If you would like to volunteer or learn more about the program, please contact: the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association at 215-646-8866, info@WVWA.org or Kirk Horstman at (215) 699-6011.
For information on WVWA's Serve the Preserve on April 5, click here.
Ongoing Volunteer Projects
Bring your enthusiasm and interest to these volunteer activities:
Sierra Club sponsors monthly trail work party from 10 am to 12:30 pm followed by lunch at a local spot. For details and place to meet, call Sidney Goldstein at 215-247- 4459 or e-mail sg@mrbasketball.net , or visit ww.mrbasketball.net/hike/hike.html .
Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers (WRV) will lead a service project from
10 am to noon as part of their on-going reforestation activities. Project details and directions to the worksite will be posted on the WRV website
( http://wissahickon.patrails.org ) at least one week prior to the event. For
information and to RSVP, contact WRV at 215-951-0330, ext. 2101 or wrv.info@rhd.org. (Day of event: call Rich at 267-784-4421.)
Friends of the Wissahickon lead a day of field work at various locations throughuot the Park from 9 am to 2 pm. Projects include sustainable trail restoration, invasive weed removal, and trash clean-up. For more information, contact Kevin Groves at 215-247-0417 or groves@fow.org.
Friends of the WIssahickon and Fairmount Park Commissiion sponsor vine removal at various locations throughout the Park from 10 am to noon. Help rescue our mature trees and preserve recent plantings. Call Jake Michael at 610-918-0775 for details.
Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers (WRV) lead a service project from 10
am– 12 noon as part of their on-going reforestation activities. Project details and directions to the worksite will be posted on the WRV website
( http://wissahickon.patrails.org ) at least one week prior to the event. For
information and to RSVP, contact WRV at 215-951-0330, ext. 2101 or wrv.info@rhd.org. (Day of event: call Ron at 215-483-4348.)
Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association leads a work day sponsored by FOW. This work day focuses on sustainable trail restoration at various locations throughout the park from 9 am to 2 pm. For more information, visit www.phillymtb.com or contact Kevin Groves at 215-247-0417 or groves@fow.org.
Friends of the Wissahickon and Fairmount Park Commission sponsor vine removal at various locations throughout the Park from 10 am to noon . Help rescue our mature trees and preserve recent plantings. Call Jake Michael at 610-918-0775 for details.
Friends of the Wissahickon volunteers repair and build structures in the Wissahickon from 9:00 am to 1 pm. If you are handy with tools and like to build, call Ed Stainton at 215-247-2763.
Wissahickon Service Projects (September through May) 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Join Chestnut Hill Academy and Crefeld School – something new every week. Friends of the Wissahickon and Fairmount Park Commission. Call David Bower at 215-685-2189 for information.
Friends of the Wissahickon volunteers rebuild dry stone wall in the Wissahickon from 9:00 am to 1 pm. If you like to work with stones, call Dan Mercer at 215-280-0441.
Friends of the Wissahickon volunteers do repairs within the Wissahickon from 9:00 am to 1 pm. If you would like to help, call Ed Stainton at 215-247-2763.
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