Who We Are
About Us
We work in the Wissahickon watershed, the 64 square miles of land that drains into the Wissahickon Creek. We focus on the Montgomery County portion of the watershed. Our downstream partners, Friends of the Wissahickon, work in the Philadelphia portion of the watershed.
Land
We work with individuals and communities to preserve open space. Together we’ve preserved nearly 1,300 acres and created over 24 miles of trails for public enjoyment.
Once land is preserved, we restore and manage habitats to care for local ecosystems. Our team works with dedicated volunteers to band and study dozens of species of birds, and monitor other species, like migrating monarch butterflies. By collecting data with community members, we are able to better protect local habitats.
Once land is preserved, we restore and manage habitats to care for local ecosystems. Our team works with dedicated volunteers to band and study dozens of species of birds, and monitor other species, like migrating monarch butterflies. By collecting data with community members, we are able to better protect local habitats.
Margaret Rohde
Water
Clean creeks and streams are essential for community health. Wissahickon Trails works on a local level, monitoring creek chemistry, biology, and habitats to understand water quality. We are part of the Wissahickon Clean Water Partnership, working with local municipalities to improve the health of the Wissahickon Creek. We are also part of the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, working towards a healthy Delaware River Basin with regional partners across four states.
People
The people of the Wissahickon Valley are at the heart of our work. They are essential partners in our efforts to protect and steward our local land and waterways. Through our Citizen Science program, we train dozens of community members each year to do scientific fieldwork alongside our staff. Citizen scientists monitor wildlife on our preserves to help ensure that our habitat improvement work is successful. Our Conservation Crew is made up of community members who help us care for our preserves and trails. Creek Watch volunteers monitor the Wissahickon Creek and its tributaries. Each year, we welcome over 2000 students to the watershed and the Evans-Mumbower Mill to participate in classes about wetlands, water quality, and water-powered mills. We also host hikes, birding programs, races, and community socials throughout the year so that our neighbors can spend time in nature and with each other. Through the generous support of our community, we are able to fund this work.