The Friends of the Wissahickon has concluded year five of working with the Student Conservation Association in Wissahickon Valley Park during the summer months. SCA crew members help maintain trails, remove invasive plants, and remove litter and graffiti throughout the park, particularly at Devil's Pool.

FOW has been improving environmental conditions and increasing public safety at Devil’s Pool since 2006 with a public education program, $500,000 work of trail and habitat restoration work, and public outreach initiatives.

Since 2009, the SCA crew has been a part of this initiative. The students not only clean the site regularly throughout most of the summer, but educate Devil’s Pool visitors on park stewardship.

In 2011, the SCA crew mounted a trash bag dispenser at Devil’s Pool, launching a pilot program to encourage park users to carry out their litter. According to former SCA crew leader Tony Croasdale, the idea grew out of a discussion among the SCA crew members. The goal was to encourage people who use Devil’s Pool to take ownership and clean up the area when they leave.

"FOW is proud to work with these young environmentalists," says FOW Executive Director Maura McCarthy. "Not only do we rely on them for keeping the area surrounding Devil’s Pool clean throughout the summer, their enthusiasm and hard work are an inspiration. We look forward to working with them every summer."

Click Here for a list of special events this Fall in and around the Wissahickon.

8/26/2013