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Conservation District Installs Educational Displays on Protecting the Stony Creek
Montgomery County Conservation District installed two educational displays last month at the Norristown Farm Park headquarters, with funding from PA American Water’s Environmental Grant Program.
The displays are titled “Protecting the Stony Creek Watershed” and “Agricultural Conservation at the Farm Park.” The watershed education display features a hand-drawn mural backdrop of the Stony Creek watershed and landscape surrounding the Farm Park, with four educational posters highlighting streamside forests, stormwater pollution, drinking water treatment and waste water treatment.
The agricultural conservation display features an aerial map backdrop with conservation best management practices illustrated on the farm fields. Four educational posters discuss soil health, diversions and terraces, no-till farming and grassed waterways.
As visitors to the displays will learn, we are all connected by the streams and rivers that run through our towns. Simply by planting a garden, picking up after pets and keeping storm drains clean, we can all make a difference in the health of Stony Creek, which is a source of drinking water for local communities.
The display cases are available for viewing seven days a week for visitors to the park, in the school groups, classes, special presentations and community events hosted by the Farm Park. The display cases will teach thousands of visitors each year about the importance of protecting our soil and water resources in order to better the health of our environment and community.
Call for Presenters: Watershed Congress 2016
The Watershed Congress Organizing Committee is now accepting proposals for presentations for the 2016 Watershed Congress.
Submissions are due by 11:59 PM, Sunday, November 1st, 2015.
All applications must be submitted online.
Additional guidance for those interested in submitting a session proposal, with proposal format information, is available here.
About the Watershed Congress: The Watershed Congress, held annually since 1998, continues to advance the best available information and techniques for protecting and restoring watersheds. The focus on networking across disciplines means that the Congress melds science, policy and practical applications into one program. Every year, a growing and changing group of individuals attends to gain new knowledge, acquire tools, and practice techniques that will allow them to take active roles in the stewardship of their natural resources.
Volunteer Opportunity: Tree Planting in White’s Road Park
Sign up to plant trees with us! We will be planting along a branch of the Towamencin Creek in Lansdale Borough’s White’s Road Park on October 24, from 9am-12pm. 
Watershed Specialist, Krista Scheirer, will demonstrate how to properly plant a tree. Then, we will plant 130 native trees and shrubs to help restore the riparian buffer, which will protect the stream channel and water quality for years to come.
This restoration project was made possible by the TreeVitalize Watersheds Grant program, and the Plant One Million campaign, managed by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener program, as well as Aqua PA for projects located within its source water protection zones.
National Drug Take Back Day on September 12
The National Drug Take Back Program, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration, is a great opportunity to get rid of unused medication to make sure it does not fall into the wrong hands or end up in our waterways. Pennsylvania’s Take Back Day will be held at various collection sites on September 12 from 10am to 2pm.
According to Penn State Extension, “[a]ny over the counter, controlled substance, or prescription required drugs can be submitted. Tablets, capsules, ointments, creams, and liquids will be accepted in its packaging. No need to take medicines out of the original package or container. The public can submit it as is, no need to separate pills or medication in any form. Sharps and syringes will not be accepted due to safety reasons. This event is absolutely anonymous and personal information on the medications can be covered with a marker if desired.”
To find a collection site near you, visit the DEA’s website at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/.
Take advantage of this program to make sure medications in your house are disposed of properly.
Registration Open for 2015 Villanova Stormwater Symposium and Municipal Workshop
Registration is now open for the Villanova Stormwater Symposium on October 14 and 15, with a Municipal Workshop scheduled for October 13.
The annual Symposium, held by the Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership, began in 1998 with the goal of advancing the knowledge and understanding of sustainable stormwater management for those dealing in all aspects of planning, design, construction, maintenance and operations, and regulatory compliance.
The Municipal Workshop, entitled Collaborative and Financial Strategies for Meeting Water Quality Requirements, is specifically designed for municipal officials responsible for stormwater management programs.
Municipalities can also apply for a Stormwater Control Measure Recognition Program Award.
Please visit the VUSP website for more information.