The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership will host its 9th Annual Watershed Milestones Ceremony virtually on November 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.to honor this year’s award winners.

The ceremony recognizes local individuals and organizations who have supported clean water efforts in the TTF watershed community. These honorees include outstanding volunteers, regional educators, municipal leaders, and corporate and nonprofit stewards who have made an impact in our watershed.

The winners include--

-- Migdalia Rosado will receive the Friend Award for being a dedicated volunteer, participant, and advocate for the TTF watershed. She has attended many bird and nature walks with her family and even spoke at the Philadelphia City Council hearing in support of Plastic Bag Legislation. She regularly walks in Tacony Creek Park, picking up litter with our Cleanup Kit. Our watershed and park are becoming healthier spaces thanks to caring and active volunteers like Migdalia.

-- Martin Selzer will receive the Educator Award for graciously sharing his skills and expertise with the TTF community for many years by leading bird walks in Tacony Creek Park. As a longtime Wyncote Audubon Society leader and avid international birder, he has brought his thoughtful guidance and eagerness home to our watershed, helping park visitors better connect with the natural world around them. Martin’s commitment to the TTF community is what has earned him the distinction as a true Watershed Hero.

-- The APEX class at Abington School District’s McKinley Elementary School will win the Youth Champions Award for the student investigation of the restoration site behind the school campus. The young scientists surveyed for indicator species present in the restored wetland along Jenkintown Creek and are an inspiration and model for students whose school is close to a creek!

-- Bryan Havir will win the Municipal Leader Award for his passion for environmental advocacy on behalf of the township. He previously served as Manager of Cheltenham Township and partnered with the Philadelphia Water Department to establish and sustain the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership. This enabled TTF to develop into a premier non-profit dedicated to sustainable watershed protection and community stewardship. We recognize his critical contribution to our creation, success, and ongoing partnership with Cheltenham to improve our creeks and support parks and trails.

-- Andy Oles will receive the Municipal Leader Award for his support of TTF led projects, planning, and implementation. During his 16 year tenure with Abington Township, he assisted with a Temple University design course utilizing Abington’s Alverthorpe Park. Students conducted infiltration testing, delineated drainage areas, and studied site conditions within the park. TTF values Andy Oles for his work and commitment to improving the health of local watersheds.

-- The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will be honored with the Nonprofit Steward Award for its dedication to collaborating with and funding riparian buffer and rain garden plantings at Friends Hospital, and numerous sites along the Jenkintown Creek through Treevitalize and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

-- CSAA Insurance Group will receive the Corporate Steward Award for its valued partnership and dedication to volunteerism. CSAA employees shared this commitment at our Community Service Breakfast and at numerous plantings to enhance Tacony Creek Park’s Tabor and Olney Gateway.

-- Rep. Steve McCarter (D-Montgomery) will win the Legacy Award for his support, service, and raising up of TTF’s work. He has provided us with the opportunity to testify about our clean water work at numerous public hearings and consistently promoted our programs, leaving us with a legacy of commitment to water and climate in our backyards and across the globe.

The Partnership will also be honoring our Partner Alliance members, particularly our Philanthropists, Benefactors, and Ambassadors: Globe Dye Works, PECO, Pixel Parlor, Smithbridge Gardens Nursery and Design, Aquareale, University of Pennsylvania, Aqua, and Garfield Refining.

Registration

Milestones is free, but registration is required. The event will feature a silent auction with unique nature related prize packages from local businesses.

The auction goes live on November 5 at noon. Bidding ends after the award ceremony at 8:00 p.m. Stay tuned for social media posts with updates!

For more on this event, visit the 9th Annual Watershed Milestones Ceremony webpage.

Visit the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership website for more information on programs, initiatives, other upcoming events and how you can get involved.

The Partnership works to implement programs in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties that educate neighbors and stakeholders about clean water issues and how we can all make a difference in our own backyards, parks, and communities.

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-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Accepting Nominations For COVID-19 Outdoor Recreation Champions

[Posted: October 28, 2020]

11/2/2020