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Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association
Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association (WVWA), a non-profit watershed preservation organization, preserves land within the watershed, produces public education outreach and increases public and corporate involvement in watershed issues. WVWA's habitat enhancement program encourages protection and creation of natural areas and wildlife habitats. This educational program provides technical assistance in creating natural habitats and education on the benefits of natural landscapes, including: beauty, environmental sensitivity, wildlife support and lowered cost. A team of professionals from Temple University, the Natural Lands Trust, Morris Arboretum and private landscape architects assemble to develop landscape plans for interested companies. The goal is to recommend areas to convert to natural habitat based on site conditions and corporate goals. One participant in the program, McNeil Consumer Products Co., has spent $21,500 since 1990 to develop a 15-acre meadow on the company's property. The meadow improves the environment by reducing the need for pesticides and other lawn care chemicals in maintaining the grasses. This meadow also provides habitat for wildlife and is aesthetically pleasing to view. Employees of the company benefit from less noise and reduced exposure to pesticides, fertilizers and lawn chemicals. By eliminating the need for lawn care maintenance, companies also save money. Since developing the meadow for $21,500, McNeil has saved $110,815 on lawn maintenance costs including mowing, fertilizing, insect and weed control and leaf control. Since the program started, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and Rohm and Haas Co. have also created habitats. WVWA's habitat enhancement program proves that when corporate philosophy promotes environmental stewardship, the local environment benefits.
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Wissahickon Valley
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