The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education 2006 Annual Report “We’re more than just a walk in the woods!” more “We’re OUR MISSION To promote, through environmental education, the preservation and improvement of our natural environment. We do this by: Fostering appreciation, understanding and responsible use of the ecosystem; Disseminating information on current environmental issues; Encouraging appropriate public response to environmental problems; Maintaining the facilities of The Center and conserving its land for the purpose of environmental education. MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR Friends: I hope this fi nds you well. As we review and enjoy this Annual Report’s Center close to your hearts. I asked Jack what account of our exciting and promising year, drove him to remain so close. He answered that we pause also to remember the memory and it was an obligation of membership. Kidding or contributions of two of my predecessors. Tat not, his answer nevertheless resonated with me. Starr’s and Jack Church’s lifelong dedication to The Perhaps what Jack meant was that the greatest Schuylkill Center will not be forgotten. Each in their contribution we can make to The Center is as own way, continued to impact The Center’s day to members. As the honor and privilege of chairing day existence long after they served as members our great Board of Trustees winds down, I ask and Chairs of the Board of Trustees. Both served that in the next year you join me in remembering until their passing as diligent protectors of our why we love this place. Before I served, I was a Investment Committee, which manages The Center’s member, and after I leave, I will remain a member. endowment. Thus consider renewing and, if at all possible, embellishing your membership. While you do so, As members of the Advisory Committee, each perhaps consider convincing others to make the offered sage counsel to me and others on the same journey. Board, ensuring continuity of the heritage and mission of The Center. Their commitment to the As always, thanks for making my job, the Board’s organization tells us all that we need to know job, and the Staff’s job easier and more enjoyable. why The Center is important and why we need to We as members are making and will continue continue to give the place all we can. With so many to make the difference. See you around The other charitable and personal interests, Tat and Schuylkill Center. Jack - and all of you - have managed to keep The Best wishes, Harry Weiss Chair, Board of Trustees 5 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Last spring The Schuylkill Center introduced Now, after more than forty years of its fi rst annual Metamorphosis Awards: environmental education and ecological “Transforming Our World for a Sustainable restoration, the understanding and need for Future.” Though this may seem an ambitious environmental balance has become self- undertaking, it is a timely one, within the evident, resulting in improvements to the air stated mission of The Center which is, in part, we breathe, the water we drink, and the food “to promote the preservation and improvement we eat. Enthusiastic, sometimes emphatic of our natural environment…by encouraging dedication to environmental education appropriate public response to environmental made this happen. We are proud of these problems.” I could use this entire report to improvements and now look to the future, expound on “environmental problems,” but toward resourcefully creating ecological prefer instead to advocate for a “Sustainable balance between the man-made environment Future.” and the natural one. The Schuylkill Center was founded on the To that end, The Schuylkill Center has aligned premise that Philadelphia fl ourishes in a healthy itself with the sustainability movement of and balanced natural environment. Having greater Philadelphia. Our environmental been at the forefront of the environmental education brochure, “Learning Opportunities”, movement for decades, we can refl ect proudly offers programs that impress on students on our accomplishments toward creating that the value of water quality; the importance healthier environment. We have encouraged of team building to innovatively overcome tens of thousands of students, members, and environmental challenges; the three Rs of trash: infl uential organizations to preserve, improve, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; an appreciation of the and promote responsible environmental action thriving ecosystems in their own backyards; in our communities. and the relevance of “biodiversity,” a word coined by E.O. Wilson over 20 years ago, that still resonates within all of our environmental issues. 6 The Center has also become actively involved with “Sustainable Philadelphia”, the annual forum with the goal of making Philadelphia the greenest, most livable city in America. In addition we have joined The Pennsylvania Environmental Council, The Delaware Valley Green Building Council, The Clean Air Council, and The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, among others, with the intention that through the conservation and responsible use of The Center’s 360 acres of open space we can demonstrate our commitment to greater Philadelphia’s effort to be at the forefront of sustainable development and alternative/renewable energy. Gary Sheehan of Mesa Environmental Sciences, Inc. discussing Speaking on behalf of The Schuylkill Center for The Center’s 10.2 kW solar panel system at the Annual Picnic Environmental Education and the future of our “greene towne” I hope you will join us. Dennis Burton Executive Director 7 OUR NEWEST INITIATIVES Installation of Solar Panels Thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Sustainable Development Fund, this spring, The Schuylkill Center installed a 10.2 kW solar photovoltaic system at our Main Building. Located adjacent to the building’s entrance, the array saved The Center 10% in energy costs this year, in addition to reducing 24,759 lbs. of green house gas emissions. This impressive technology is used as both a method of utilizing renewable energy and educating the many students and guests visiting The Center. Revitalizing our Organic Gardens Our Organic Gardens offer a haven for city dwellers where they come to grow their favorite crop, or relax after a busy day. With help from volunteer, Louise Wright, the Organic Gardens received an extreme revitalization this past year, as plots were restored, invasive vegetation was cleared, and new relationships were forged. Reopening Wind Dance Pond Trail Since 2004 when a torrent of stormwater swept through The Schuylkill Center’s Smith’s Run stream and washed out the bridge connecting Wind Dance Pond Trail, the trail has remained closed. With help from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, The Schuylkill Center repaired the erosion damage, constructed a new trail bridge, and successfully reopened Wind Dance Pond Trail for staff and visitors. This popular trail is widely used for studying aquatic ecology. 8 Update on the Green Roof Since last year’s installation of our vegetated roof system or “green roof”, there has been a signifi cant decrease in stormwater runoff along this portion of the roof, with excess water being captured in the rain garden below. Throughout the past year, the green roof’s plants have rapidly fi lled out across the soil medium and have required virtually no maintenance from The Schuylkill Center’s staff. In addition to reducing The Center’s excess stormwater runoff, this innovative technology has attracted numerous butterfl ies and other pollinators to A Bike Stop along the Schuylkill River Trail its fl owers. This summer The Schuylkill Center created a Wayside Bike Stop along the southern end of our property, which runs parallel to the Schuylkill River Trail. With help from GlaxoSmithKline and the Schuylkill River Heritage Area, the Bike Stop serves as a much needed amenity for trail users. With seating boulders and an overlook to The Schuylkill Center’s Smith’s Run ravine, visitors are able to rest at the site before heading to either Valley Forge or Center City Philadelphia. 9 TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD… As The Schuylkill Center emerges as a leader of urban environmental awareness in the 21st century, the staff and Board of Trustees thought it fi tting to recognize other local individuals and organizations that carry out the same goals of increasing environmental stewardship and awareness throughout Philadelphia. As a result, The Schuylkill Center, along with the family of Henry H. Meigs, established two new awards in honor of one of The Schuylkill Center’s founders and his dedication to all living things. First, The Henry Meigs Environmental Leadership Award honors leaders whose commanding presence and guidance towards our world’s sustainable future refl ects the spirit, integrity, and vision of Mr. Meigs. This year, PECO, An Exelon Company, was honored for its innovations and commitment to environmentally sustainable technology, including their Wind Energy option, and initiatives such as their Green Region Open Space Grant Program and participation in Philadelphia’s TreeVitalize Program. Above: PECO President, Denis O’Brien, along with PECO employee and Center Board member, Lara Herzig, accept the Henry Meigs Environmental Leadership Award Left and far left: The Center’s Board, Staff and PECO attendees enjoying the event 10 Top: Silent auction sale to support The Center Bottom Right: Above: Olney 704 High School, the honorees of this year’s Henry Meigs Scholarship Award Advisory Board member Tom Stewart and wife, Cindy Second, The Henry Meigs Scholarship Award was established as a Teachers and students accepting the award included: Valli Dasika, memorial tribute to Henry’s love of the environment and his passion Leorah Walsh, Sean Tucker, Tometa Lawery-Hall, Marcus McKnight, for conservation and preservation. This award honors students who Tamyra Barrow, James Uon, Ha Ung, Ricardo Noguez, Lewis Delores, have demonstrated exceptional interest, curiosity, or accomplishment Sheryl Grey, Lu Li Bin, Jie Lin, Gladys Joy Samson, Christopher Rivera, in environmental studies.