www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org Marsh Musings Autumn 2013 Marsh Musings Marsh Musings Marsh Musings Autumn Edition Volume 0313 The Darby-Cobbs Creek Watershed Sustains a Strong Connection Between People and Wildlife Newsletter of the Friends of Heinz Refuge at Tinicum The storied Darby-Cobbs Water- shed provides boundless recreational enjoyment in hiking, photography, canoeing, kayaking, birding, fishing and more. This blue-greenway corri- dor also serves as an expansive outdoor classroom, facilitating envi- ronmental education opportunities to study stream ecology, riverine habi- tats, sediment impacts, macroinverte- brates, and many other study subjects. The watershed contributes to clean air and water, with riverside foliage absorbing pollutants. Stormwater management is among the most important roles of the Darby-Cobbs Watershed system. The streams capture and direct stormwater surges downstream, away from homes and businesses. High density development puts in- creasing pressure on streams’ abili- ties to handle water that is not absorbed by impervious surfaces. The watershed area of Heinz Refuge is significantly cleaner now than it was 200 years ago, when pol- lutants flowed unchecked through Philadelphia’s rivers and lands during the peak of industrial revolu- tionary times. Increased public awareness spurred environmental regulations to clean up polluted areas and implement sustainable develop- ment practices and policies. Modern society brings new chal- lenges to maintaining and enhancing urban watersheds, including Darby and Cobbs Creeks. Balancing economic development with ecologi- cal sustainability is a delicate task, requiring equitable participation from a variety of stakeholders. Friends of Heinz Refuge, Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition, Darby Creek Valley Association and other regional organizations are actively working to maintain and enhance the natural and cultural assets of the Darby-Cobbs Water- shed. We believe this is essential to sustain the quality of life for existing and future generations. Truly, water sustains life for everyone! Debbie Beer Encompassing 135 linear stream miles in 4 counties, the Darby-Cobbs Creek Watershed has provided important environmental, economic and cultural resources to people and wildlife for millennia, and continues to impact urban existence today. The Darby-Cobbs Watershed con- nects a variety of historical and diverse neighborhoods, as it flows through 31 municipalities in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Phila- delphia Counties. As a whole, nearly half-a-million people reside in the watershed, with the highest population density in and near the City of Philadelphia. Draining nearly 80 square miles, the Watershed flows south into the mouth of Darby Creek before empty- ing into the Delaware River south of the Airport. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge lies at the lower end of the watershed, where Darby Creek’s tidal waters rise and fall twice-daily, expanding over the larg- est freshwater marsh in the state. These Tinicum wetlands are the last remnant of what was once an 8,000- acre marsh that covered a vast area in southeastern PA. With the appearance of the first European settlers, the land was steadily diked, dammed and drained to make way for agriculture, farming, homes, in- dustry, highways and an airport. The overall health of the Darby-Cobbs Creek watershed directly impacts the health and viability of the Heinz Refuge, located at its downstream end.
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The official registration and financial information of the Friends of the Heinz Refuge at Tinicum may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999.
This summer, the Friends of Heinz
Refuge began the process of devel-
oping a new strategic plan to guide
the group and shape its work over
the next three years.
Facilitated in part by funding from
a grant from the William Penn Foundation, FOHR has contracted
with the NonProfit Center at LaSalle University’s School of Business to hire highly skilled
strategic planning consultant, Ellen Greenberg, to help us chart a path
that will build upon and expand our
successful support of the Heinz
Refuge.
Ellen is working closely with board
members but will also be reaching
out to our stakeholders including
FOHR’s membership, Refuge staff,
nature walk leaders, former board
members, and photo group members,
to solicit additional input which will
help us identify our current
strengths, as well as our growth
potential.
We ask that all of FOHR’s mem-
bers be on the lookout for, and will
respond to our online survey that we
will be sending out this fall, so that
we can include your input as the new
strategic plan is developed.
When completed and adopted, our comprehensive strategic plan will strengthen FOHR and allow it to even better serve the Refuge, especially at a time when seques-tration cuts have strained Refuge resources.
Facilitated by a William Penn Foundation Grant, FOHR Has Hired the LaSalle NonProfit Center to Oversee Development of a New Strategic Plan
A REMINDER It is important that current
and former Friends members review their membership status within the next month or so. If any questions contact Friends email address listed above.
Only Friends members in good standing will receive invitations to our November Annual Membership meeting.
fishing camps, Philadelphia Zoo, Wagner Free Institute, Schuylkill Center, Academy of Natural Sci-ences, PA SeaGrant, and PA Young Birders also led hundreds of
other youth through the refuge this
summer as we work to build the next
generation of conservation minded
citizens. Special thanks to the
Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition for all their incredible
work to help protect the important
128 acres of open space adjacent to
the refuge that provides unique urban
habitat for PA endangered leopard
frogs, American woodcock, wild
turkey, red fox and other species that
depend on these last treasured
remnants of available habitat.
Thanks go out to this year’s won-
derful interns including Frankie, Er-
ica, Janelle and Meghan as well as
our SJU turtle researchers Dave and
Maria for a very productive field
season. Congratulations to our SCEP
student Tajuan, who recently gradu-
ated from Middle Tennessee State
University as an engineer and was
placed at Cape May NWR.
Refuge Construction Continues On the construction side of things,
thank you to Friends of Heinz
Refuge for funding the paving of the
last section of the Universal Access
Nature Trail which allows wheel-
chairs and baby strollers a complete
6/10 mile loop (including the 580’
boardwalk).
Work is now underway in the
design phase of the 55 acre restora-
tion area at the west end of the ref-
uge along the Darby Creek Trail.
The design phase is to be completed
in the spring of 2014, after which we
will issue a second contract for the
actual dirt moving.
Hopes remain high for funding of
the 200 foot marsh boardwalk that is
now “shovel ready” in both engi-
neering and permitting. Work is also
planned for this fall to repair
damaged wood siding of the main
visitor center building as well as
connecting the new above ground
fuel tank for maintenance shop and
removing the old underground tank.
Remember to bring your friends
and families on out to enjoy the
Refuge’s many free programs
offered every weekend and discover
new ways to connect back with
nature on your National Wildlife
Refuge System…. where wildlife
comes naturally.
After another hot, humid summer
that many scientists link to long term
human caused influences on global
climate change, some cooling fall
weather will make it a great time of
year to spend outdoors. By the time
this issue of Marsh Musings goes to
press, the first neotropical fall mi-
grants will be heading south while
turtle hatchlings will be digging their
way out of the ground.
This year marks a major milestone
in wildlife conservation with the 40
year anniversary of the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) passed by the
93rd Congress and signed into law by
President Nixon on December 28,
1973. Our very own refuge bald
eagles (a recovered federally endan-
gered species) provide living local
testimony to success of the ESA by
producing young eaglets now for
four years in a row!
Refuge Partnerships Thrive While budgets are tight this year
with projections of being tighter in
the future, through so many great
partnerships, the refuge has had a
very productive field season.
Through the Student Conserva-tion Association (SCA) the refuge
Want to be a Weed Warrior? To become a Weed Warrior, folks
c a n g o o n l i n e a t h t t p : / /
www.friendsoftinicummarsh.org/
weedwarriors/intro.html, to familiar-
ize themselves with the concepts of
habitat restoration, and characteris-
tics of invasive vs. native plants.
Once the online portion is com-
pleted, you can contact Brendalee
The Friends of Heinz Refuge (FOHR) Photo Group is excited to announce its 13th Annual Nature
Photography Contest! The contest is open to photographers of all ages and divided into the following
categories: Children up to age 12, Teens up to age 18, and adults. Each person may submit up to 3 entries, which must
be submitted by Sunday, October 12th at 3:30pm.
Only color or black and white prints, including reasonably altered prints from digital files will be accepted. All
images should have a title, and be mounted and matted. Prints should be 8x10 with 11x14 mats. No larger sizes will
be accepted, and no framed images will be accepted. Species identification should be included of any plants, and/or
animals depicted in the images. Additional contest specifications may be found on official entry forms which may be
either picked up at the visitor center information desk, or downloaded from www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org. Entry fees vary. Children may submit their entries FREE, while teens and adults will be required to pay an entry fee
of $5.00 per entry. Proceeds will benefit FOHR projects on the refuge. Gift certificates to Tinicum Treasures Gift
Shop will be awarded to winners in the children category. Cash prizes will be awarded to teens and adults.
All photographs not claimed by December 30, 2013 will become the property of FOHR and will be discarded.
Refuge’s Weed Warriors Log In Over 900 Hours Some plots are near the visitor’s
KINGLET AMERICAN ROBIN GRAY CATBIRD NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD BROWN THRASHER
EUROPEAN STARLING CEDAR WAXWING NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT NORTHERN PARULA BLACKPOLL WARBLER BLACK-THROATED BLUE
Join Heinz Refuge “Big Sittas” on Sunday, October 13, as we spend the day counting birds as part of the annual, international BIG SIT event!
Spend an hour, 10 minutes, or all day, as we scan for species from the Observation Tower, one of the most scenic locations on Heinz Refuge.
At last year’s BIG SIT, the Heinz Refuge team found 77 species, highlighting the rich variety of birds that depend upon Refuge resources – EAGLES, HAWKS, DUCKS, WARBLERS, SPARROWS and more.
Our BIG SIT raises funds to support Friends of Heinz Refuge programs such as Weed Warriors, Winter Bird Count for Kids, Pollinator Garden, Guided Nature Walks, Summer Camps, Environmental
Education, Groundhog Day Family Festival, and Eastwick Community Coalition.
We appreciate your generous pledge in support of Friends of Heinz Refuge. You can pledge based on the number of species we find at the BIG SIT, or make a single contribution.
Mail-in this pledge form, or bring it with you on October 13. You can also contribute via Paypal from our website www.friendsofheinzrefuge.org (click “Join”).
Yes, I support the Friends of Heinz Refuge (FOHR) efforts to identify as many bird species as possible during the BIG SIT, a fun, friendly event, and an important fundraiser for FOHR.
Tinicum Treasure Tales As Told By Our Store Manager
Annemarie Rapp
Current members of FOHR get 10% off of their purchases (there are some exclusions) and profits
from sales are targeted for Refuge projects.
As a bonus, your FOHR membership also entitles you to a 10% discount at bookstores on all National Wildlife Refuges
located in New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Just show them your membership card!! It is that easy!!
Show Your Support For the National Wildlife Refuge System
Buy Your Federal Duck Stamp at the Heinz Refuge Today!
First Federal Duck Stamp in 1934.
Design by J.N. "Ding" Darling
2013-2014 Federal Duck Stamp. Design: Robert Steiner, San Francisco, CA
Duck Stamps Available NOW!! Federal Duck Stamps are once
again available for purchase in the
Tinicum Treasures nature shop.
With your help, we hope to surpass
our all-time high number of 40
stamps sold last year.
For those of you who do not know
about Federal Duck Stamps or why
you should purchase one, I am giv-
ing you a little history behind them:
Basics on Federal Duck Stamps Federal Migratory Bird Hunting
and Conservation Stamps, com-
monly known as “Duck Stamps,” are
pictorial stamps produced by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They
are not valid for postage.
Originally created in 1934 as
federal licenses required for hunting
migratory waterfowl, Federal Duck
Stamps have a much larger purpose
today. Federal Duck Stamps are
vital tools for wetland conservation.
Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wild-
life Service sponsors a stamp-design
contest (usually held in the fall),
with wildlife artists from across the
nation submitting their work for
judging by a panel of artists and
wildlife experts. The winning art is
used on the following year's stamp.
Wildlife artists consider it a great
honor to be selected as the winner of
the Federal Duck Stamp Contest.
After the winning design has been
selected, the Federal Duck Stamp
Office designs and produces a stamp
that meets the needs and expecta-
tions of the public.
Why Buy Federal Duck Stamps? The Federal Duck Stamp has been
called one of the most successful
conservation programs ever initiated
and is a highly effective way to con-
serve America’s natural resources.
Birders and other visitors to na-
tional wildlife refuges buy Duck
Stamp each year to gain free admis-
sion to refuges.
Conservationists buy Duck
Stamps because they know that dol-
lar for dollar, one of the best invest-
ments one can make in the future of
America’s wetlands.
Collectors buy Duck Stamps be-
cause the beautiful stamps can gain
value over the years and are an im-
portant part of America’s outdoor
culture.
"Junior Duck Stamps - created by kids - are also available for just $5 each. Proceeds benefit youth conservation and arts programs."
“Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated by the sale of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System”.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission SE Region Law Enforcement
(717) 626-0228
EMERGENCY 911
Refuge visitors can borrow fishing rods, reels, hooks and
other tackle at the front desk of the Visitor Center. Equip-
ment check-out procedure is similar to that found in librar-
ies. The Visitor Center hours are from 8:30am to 4:00pm.
This program is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the American Sportfishing Association, and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. The program is designed to make it easy for anyone to access fishing tackle. It's hoped that those making the loans will enjoy fishing so much they are hooked for life. This equipment may also be loaned to groups conducting angler education programs in the community.
To find other sites which loan fishing tackle, go to the PA
Fish and Boat Commission’s web site at: http://
www.fish.state.pa.us/loaner.htm.
Join or Renew your Friends of Heinz Refuge Membership This is a (please check) [ ] new [ ] renewal [ ] gift membership.
Please choose your preferred membership level from the following list :
[ ] $10 Duckling (Student/senior)
[ ] $15 Heron (Individual)
[ ] $25 Monarch (Family)
[ ] $50 Red-bellied Turtle (Group)
[ ] $100 Red Fox (Contributing)
[ ] $250 Merlin (Sustaining)
[ ] $500 Osprey (Corporate)
[ ] $ __________ Donation
[ ] Notify me when newsletter is online. [ ] I wish to receive monthly e-bulletins.
[ ] Please contact me about potential volunteer opportunities. Membership supports conservation of the largest fresh water tidal marsh in Pennsylvania and entitles you to attend member
only events and a 10% discount at gift shops operated by Friends of National Wildlife Refuges in the Mid Atlantic. If you give us
your email address, we will email you (no more than monthly) with reminders of upcoming events and when the newsletter is
posted to our website. We do not share your information with any other organizations.
Make checks payable to FOHR Tinicum and mail to FOHR, PO Box 333, Folcroft PA, 19032-0333, or bring to the refuge next time you visit.
Name ______________________________________________________