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The mission of the Friends of the Wissahickon is to preserve the natural beauty and wildness of the Wissahickon Valley and stimulate public interest therein.
Volunteer
Help at an FOW work day
Donate Now
Support FOW with your gift
Report a Problem
Downed tree? Let us know
Learn the Issues
FOW's positions and policies
Habitat
The Sustainable Trails Initiative calls for the reclamation of 28 acres of habitat through trail closers and rebuilds. FOW could not do this important work without our hardworking volunteers.
Because of the ongoing problems associated with invasive plant species taking over many areas of our natural woodland, FOW and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation are always looking for new, successful ways of controlling these weeds. This past summer, FOW tried a pilot program that used goats as a method of removing invasive plants.
Click here to read more about our recent accomplishments >>
Click here to read more >>
Water
FOW partners with the Chestnut Hill Historical Society (CHHS) on their Easement Program. This program educates homeowners about conservation and preservation easements for their homes and manages easements donated to CHHS, an accredited land trust. Many of these properties border the Wissahickon. So far, over 70 acres of open land have been preserved through 35 conservation and preservation easements.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and FOW developed the Wissahickon Stormwater Mitigation and Sediment reduction Project to improve the water quality of the Wissahickon Creek and restore the integrity of the wildlife habitat.
Click here to read more about easements >>
Click here to read our 2010 annual report >>
Trails
The new 2013 edition of FOW's Map of the Wissahickon Valley Park is now available! This new edition features a redesigned look, updated trail information, additional information about biking and public transit not found in previous maps, and is printed on waterproof and tear-resistant paper.
In addition to patrolling Wissahickon Valley Park and other duties in service to park users, FOW's Trail Ambassadors lead free hikes in the Wissahickon throughout the year. Trail Ambassadors are park docents who aid and educate park visitors with anything from directions to safety needs to park history, flora, fauna and geology.
Click here to order yours online >>
Click here to learn more about our upcoming hikes >>
People
In addition to patrolling Wissahickon Valley Park and other duties in service to park users, FOW's Trail Ambassadors lead free hikes in the Wissahickon throughout the year. Trail Ambassadors are park docents who aid and educate park visitors with anything from directions to safety needs to park history, flora, fauna and geology.
FOW is always seeking out volunteers for our projects in the park. Each year, hundreds of volunteers, including individuals, families, groups, organizations and schools, work in the park to help FOW rebuild trails; plant trees; remove vines; eliminate exotic invasive plants and replace them with native species; clean up trash and debris; remove graffiti; control erosion; and repair structures.
Click here to see a calendar of upcoming hikes >>
Click here to learn more about volunteering >>

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