 In This Week’s Issue: Who Wants to be a Wissahickon Leader? • All Persons Trail Community Open House • Wissahickon Creatures of the Night • Happy Birdability Week! • Upcoming Events • Volunteer Service Days • Welcome to Our New Members • Evergreen Reminders Who Wants to be a Wissahickon Leader?  Photo: FOW StaffWe have exciting news to share – Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) is recruiting for our next class of trained volunteers to help us take care of the park. If you have volunteered with us at a service day in the past, or you’re just passionate about preserving our most precious resources, this is the perfect opportunity to deepen your connection to the park. As a Crew Leader or Trail Ambassador, you’ll not only learn from our talented field staff, but also generations of volunteers with passions for birding, geology, botany, and much more.Start the New Year with plans to give back. Applications are open now until January 1, 2027.Learn MoreStill have questions? Want to meet others in your community who are interested in taking the next step in giving back to the Park? Join us for a Crew Leader and Trail Ambassador Recruitment Party on Saturday, November 14 from 12-2 PM! Plus there will be free pizza! See you there. All Persons Trail Community Open House  As part of Phase II of the Germantown Neighborhood Connection Project, FOW is constructing a new “All Persons Trail” in Wissahickon Valley Park, located in Germantown off Walnut Lane and Morris Street. Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) invites you and your family to our first-ever Trail Planning Open House. Drop in any time between 4:30 and 7:30 to share your ideas, feedback, and hopes for the future of this project!Thursday, November 54:30-7:30 PM (drop in!) Weavers Way Germantown Outreach OfficeLearn MoreWissahickon Creatures of the NightFor those of you brave souls who wander the Wissahickon after sunset, we commend you. Some park wildlife can sound surprisingly eerie after dark! Thanks to Crew Leader Bill McGeeney for capturing these calls drifting through the trees surrounding Hermitage Mansion. Which one do you think is spookiest?  Photo: Joe DurranceRed Fox  Photo: Troy BynumEastern Screech Owl Happy Birdability Week! This year’s Birdability Week (October 19-25) theme “Bird Where You Are” celebrates the many ways everyone can enjoy birds right where they are, in ways that work for them.For local outings and virtual programs, check out Birdability’s live event map!   Wildlife in the City: Exploring Philadelphia’s Urban Nature Through Trail Cameras with Julie Ellispresented by Univest Financial  Julie C. Ellis is a wildlife ecologist whose career spans seabird research, wildlife disease response, and collaborative initiatives that connect science, conservation, and public engagement. Join us for a Valley Talk about a new Penn Vet project using a network of motion-activated trail cameras across Philadelphia to explore the city’s urban wildlife.Wed, November 11 6-7:30 PM Valley Green Inn Register  This lecture series is completely free to attend thanks to our presenting sponsor, Univest Financial! Upcoming Guided Hikes  Creepy Cryptids in the Cresheim Sunday, October 25 1-3:30 PMJoin Jon McCabe and Shawn Green as we travel along the Cresheim Creek and talk about famous mysterious creatures. Register  Autumn Alchemy Tuesday, October 27 1:30-3:30 PMJoin Trail Ambassadors Stan Kozakowski, Jane Klein, Jean McWilliams, and Stephanie Stein for a program that encourages you to slow down and connect with nature. Register  The Wissahickon in October Friday, October 30 9 AM-12 PMJoin Debbie Hoellein, Jim McClory, Paul Neumann, and Paul Ricker on an autumn hike on both sides of the Wissahickon Creek, through meadow and woods. RegisterAutumn Mindful Hike Friday, November 6 from 1:30-4:30 PMExploring the Yellow Trail: Into the Woods Saturday, November 7 from 10 AM-1 PM250th Historic Veteran’s Day Hike Wednesday, November 11 from 10AM-12:30 PMAutumn Ramble in Wissahickon Valley Park Wednesday, November 11 from 1:30-4:30 PMThe Wissahickon—A Cultural Inspiration Sunday, November 15 from 1-4 PMHike the Wissahickon Trail Classic Loop Sunday, November 22 from 9 AM-11:30 AMSilent Hike in the Wissahickon Sunday, November 22 from 3-5 PMOur volunteer Trail Ambassadors lead guided hikes through the Wissahickon almost every week throughout the year!Check out our maps page to plan your route! Nearly two dozen historical and geological sites can also be seen or accessed from Forbidden Drive and the upper trails. Register for a Guided Hike Discover the Wissahickon Discover the Wissahickon (DTW) is a guided hikes series made up of 14 routes spanning almost every section of the park’s 50+ miles of trails. Presented by Newrez. Spooky Wissahickon Walk Saturday, October 31 from 10 AM-12:30 PM Valley Green Hike Sunday, November 8 from 9 AM-12 PM  Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Newrez.Register for a DTW HikeWhat’s going on at WEC?Noon Bird WalksEvery Thursday! Migration Madness Bird Walks Every week during Fall Migration!Fall Foliage Tree Walk Tuesday, October 27 at 1 PM Halloween Campfire Program Friday, October 30 at 5:30 PMFall Festival at the Tree House Saturday, November 7 from 11 AM-3 PMVolunteer Event: Invasive Vine Removal Tuesday, November 10 from 10 AM-12 PMThe Wissahickon Environmental Center (WEC), lovingly known as the Treehouse, offers educational programs and guided nature walks for visitors of all ages!Register for an Event at WECCome Say Hi This Weekend!Friends of the Wissahickon will be hanging out with some of our favorite partners this Saturday, October 24! Stop by Vernon Park for a Community Bazaar and Flea Market in the morning for dozens of vendors offering local goods, then come check out the Fall Foliage Festival on the Cresheim Rail Trail for a guided nature walk accompanied by some acoustic jams.  Friends of Vernon Park Community Bazaar and Flea Market Saturday, October 24 from 9 AM-3 PM Vernon Park Friends of the Cresheim Trail Fall Foliage Festival Saturday, October 24 from 1-3 PM Cresheim Rail Trail   Photo: FOW Staff Halloween Planting at the HermitageJoin us on one of our favorite days of the year for our annual Halloween Planting! This year, we’ll be planting over 100 trees and shrubs at the Hermitage Mansion. Costumes optional but encouraged! Saturday, October 31 9 AM-12 PM Hermitage MansionRegisterSaturdays with FOW Staff (9:00-12:00):October 24—Saturday Planting on the Yellow Trail October 31—Halloween Planting at Hermitage November 7—Carpenter’s Woods Volunteer Day November 14—Love Your Park Volunteer DayThursdays with FOW Staff (9:00-12:00):October 29—Hermitage Mansion November 5—Location TBD Join us at our weekly volunteer service days for a variety of stewardship projects all around the park! All are welcome to attend, and no experience is needed. We provide gloves, tools, and instruction–you just need to show up!Welcome to Our New Members!  Photo: Jeff LaugheadJoin our community of 3,000+ members who help us care for and protect Wissahickon Valley Park! Preserve the Wissahickon for future generations by becoming a member or monthly sustainer. Plus, get some sweet deals and discounts while you’re at it!Florencia Rus and Thomas Lo Mitch Ruebush Scott Turner Celeste Hardester Tony Woods Kathryn Davis John E. Litzke Jayme and Andrew Goldberg Stephanie Foss Leslie and William Newbold Collin and Nia McNeil Eric Frank and Billie SchnallBecome a MemberBecome a Sustainer  Who ya gonna call?Have you ever noticed an issue in the park and weren’t sure who to call? Save these important numbers in your phone.Downed trees: text WISS to FOW at (267) 966-2207 or fill out this form.Non-emergency situations: Park Rangers, (215) 685-2172 or 311Wildlife incidents: PA Game Commission, (610) 926-3136Emergency situations: 911 Learn More  Download the Wissahickon Valley Park Free Map App  Merch Shop    Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up for the Friends Weekly. Unsubscribe Friends of the Wissahickon40 W Evergreen Avenue, Suite 108 Philadelphia, PA 19118 |
