An encouraging thing happened when the Friends of Poquessing Watershed went to Benjamin Rush State Park on Aug. 8 for the group’s monthly cleanup initiative — there wasn’t any trash to pick up.
Therefore, at the request of park rangers, the 17 volunteers shifted gears and spent a collective 37 hours attaching protective sleeves to more than 150 newly planted trees in the park. Tree sleeves prevent deer from rubbing the bark from young trees and killing the trees. Fortunately for the deer, they can still rub against mature trees, which are less susceptible to the debilitating effects of bark damage. The hope is that protected trees will have an opportunity to grow into mature trees over the next several years and provide decades of shade and wildlife habitat to the park.
Contributing volunteers included Frank Kohongowski, Bob Berardocco, Bruce Stecker, Steve Dinnerman, Jim Ennd, Jerry Blaszezk, Bob Slobodiar, Jackie Prendergast, Vicki Petroski, state Rep. Martina White, John Novak, Marge Philippi, Patty McCarthy, Jeanne Capone, Suzanne Zlotnick and Donna Remick. Pennsylvania Park Ranger Wendy Clymer assisted the volunteers.
The next FOPW cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers should meet at Hegerman Street and St. Denis Drive at the rear of the Brookhaven development (east side of Frankford Avenue near Knights Road).
On Sept. 20, volunteers are invited to do some more tree-sleeve work from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rush State Park. The project will follow the 8 a.m. bird walk.
All volunteers should wear long pants and closed shoes. Juveniles should be accompanied by an adult. The FOPW will bring tools, supplies, snacks and refreshments. For information, call 215–638–0832 or email to FOPPMonthlyCU@aol.com. ••
