Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership Hosted its 9th Annual Watershed Milestones Award Virtually

Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership (TTF) hosted its 9th annual Watershed Milestones Ceremony on November 12th. In lieu of an in-person event, it was hosted virtually like many other events this year.

The Watershed Milestones recognizes local individuals and organizations that have supported clean water efforts in the TTF watershed, including volunteers, educations, leaders and nonprofit/corporate stewards.

Here are the 2020 recipients.

2020 Watershed Milestones Awardees

Awardee Biographies:

• Migdalia Rosado received 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 the TTF Cleanup Kit.

• Martin Selzer received 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 the watershed, helping park visitors better connect with the natural world around them.

• The APEX class at Abington School District’s McKinley Elementary School received 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.

• Bryan Havir received 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.

• Andy Oles received 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.

• The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society received 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 received 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.

• Representative Steve McCarter received 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 the area with a legacy of commitment to water and climate in our backyards and across the globe.

Photo: Facebook

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher