Lower Merion Conservancy

Conservation

Lower Merion is blessed with numerous forested parks, miles of meandering streams, Schuylkill riverfront with easy access to paddling, and a home to a variety of native wildlife. The Conservancy is committed to protecting and restoring the integrity of the natural environment in Lower Merion and Narberth. Dedicated volunteers and community groups involved in service projects comprise the backbone of our efforts.

Early members from the 1970's work to protect Mill Creek.

StreamWatch

This comprehensive monitoring program initiated in 1995 asks people to adopt streams and routinely test the water so that we may assess the condition of our waterways. Also, each spring we collect aquatic insects to assess the biodiversity of Mill Creek. To see how we are doing check out our latest Mill Creek Report. To recieve a complete copy of the report email The Conservancy at programs@dragonfly.org.

We manage an active stream restoration program for township parks like Ashbridge Park in Rosemont and West Mill Creek Park in Wynnewood.

To help homeowners protect their properties from stormwater, or to enhance their stream, we offer free Environmental House Calls.

To protect our streams, trash clean-ups and storm drain marking projects are available for community groups or individuals interested in service projects.

BirdWatch

Volunteers adopt natural areas to record the numbers and kinds of birds in Lower Merion. To find out what birds we see and what our numbers tell us, read our annual Bird Report.

ButterflyWatch

Each year in early July we partner with Jane Ruffin, local butterfly expert, and the North American Butterfly Association to identify and count the butterflies in Lower Merion. Check our calendar of events for specific date and time.

Native Plant Gardening

Volunteers help manage the deer resistant native plant garden in Rolling Hill Park in Gladwyne. This demonstration garden, a work in progress, is an excellent example of native and deer resistant plants that may work well in your garden. Join our volunteer garden crew and learn more about new trends in gardening with native plants.

To help homeowners create beautiful gardens that serve as havens for birds, butterflies and pollinating insects, we offer a native plant sale in May. To receive a color plant sale brochure email programs@dragonfly.org.

Forest Restoration

Lower Merion has acres of forests in peril. The extraordinarily large numbers of deer nibble on young trees and shrubs, eventually killing most. So when current mature trees die naturally of disease or old age, there will be few younger trees nearby to take their place. Furthermore, exotic plants (especially vines) not originally from the U.S., often overwhelm young plants and trees in a degraded forest. To help restore our forests we coordinate vine removal, tree and shrub planting events. To participate, see the calendar for our latest planting efforts or contact us programs@dragonfly.org to schedule a workday.

Residents Reporting Environmental Observations

Let us know when you observe a pollution event (resident draining chlorinated pool water into the street, eroding soil from construction sites) or interesting random sightings of unusual wildlife (albino deer, bald eagles, large snapping turtles). Call us immediately at 610-645-9030, or email programs@dragonfly.org and share your story.

Updated: 4/19/2010 © 2010Lower Merion Conservancy. All rights reserved.

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