Help protect our watershed system
Tax deductible
OUR PRECIOUS SCHUYLKILL RIVER NEEDS YOUR HELP
The Schuylkill River is the most studied river in America and was the very first river to be designated by the U.S. Congress into The American Heritage System due to it’s significance in our rich American culture as an incredible National Resource . The very first Europeon navigator from the Dutch east Indies gave the River it’s name “Skokihi” ( Hidden Creek) and the Lenape Indians called the stream “Manayunk” ( Where We Drink) and the spring Shad migration in 1776 provided needed food saving thousands of General Washington’s soldiers at Valley Forge Camp during the brutal 1776 winter. Today the Pa. American Water Company water intakes at the Norristown Basin provide drinking water for 80,000 Montgomery County residents yet few Shad return from the Ocean each season .
Inspite of emense urban creep invading the Rt. 422 corrridor and the shadow of the largest East Coast Mall in the U.S. the river manages to provide home and supports families of Bald Eagles, River Otters , Great Blue Herons , Migrating swans and loons , seasonal visits from dozens of birds , Fox , Raccoons , deer and fish species and aquatic life . A magnificent natural resource second to none . Unfortunately not all things residing in the river are welcome or healthy to sustaining the precious resource it is . The river no longer can sustain and preserve itself ; urban creep and development and nature threaten it’s ability to support all of its wonderful beauty and natural eco systems. Too much storm water run off and pollutants make it to the river , Local authorities overburdened with existing liabilities do not adequately fund needed fixes and THE RIVER NEEDS YOUR HELP !
Last season Invasive weeds infested over 100 acres of river with densely matted vegetation which rendered the river unusable for fishermen , boaters , rowers , any water activity , swimmers , and local water rescue teams asked for help –they could not access large sections of the river . The Schuylkill scrub ( river clean up ) in 2017 removed 25,000 lbs of trash & debris during May with 459 volunteers also removing dozens of tires , 500 gal propane tank , entire boat trailer , 3 T.V.’s , king size mattress and 3,000+ glass and plastic bottles just from the Norristown Basin .
Our first goal is to fund the operation and maintenance of the Aquatic Week Harvester that is being used to remove the Invasive Weeds from our watershed.
The Valley Forge Watershed was created in 2004 to Promote the Preservation , Water Quality , and Safe Recreational Use of the Schuylkill River ( www.vfwa.org ) and teams with the river communities , townships and the public to fulfill its mission . We need your help to preserve our precious natural resource for our children and future generations.
The Schuylkill River is the most studied river in America and was the very first river to be designated by the U.S. Congress into The American Heritage System due to it’s significance in our rich American culture as an incredible National Resource . The very first Europeon navigator from the Dutch east Indies gave the River it’s name “Skokihi” ( Hidden Creek) and the Lenape Indians called the stream “Manayunk” ( Where We Drink) and the spring Shad migration in 1776 provided needed food saving thousands of General Washington’s soldiers at Valley Forge Camp during the brutal 1776 winter. Today the Pa. American Water Company water intakes at the Norristown Basin provide drinking water for 80,000 Montgomery County residents yet few Shad return from the Ocean each season .
Inspite of emense urban creep invading the Rt. 422 corrridor and the shadow of the largest East Coast Mall in the U.S. the river manages to provide home and supports families of Bald Eagles, River Otters , Great Blue Herons , Migrating swans and loons , seasonal visits from dozens of birds , Fox , Raccoons , deer and fish species and aquatic life . A magnificent natural resource second to none . Unfortunately not all things residing in the river are welcome or healthy to sustaining the precious resource it is . The river no longer can sustain and preserve itself ; urban creep and development and nature threaten it’s ability to support all of its wonderful beauty and natural eco systems. Too much storm water run off and pollutants make it to the river , Local authorities overburdened with existing liabilities do not adequately fund needed fixes and THE RIVER NEEDS YOUR HELP !
Last season Invasive weeds infested over 100 acres of river with densely matted vegetation which rendered the river unusable for fishermen , boaters , rowers , any water activity , swimmers , and local water rescue teams asked for help –they could not access large sections of the river . The Schuylkill scrub ( river clean up ) in 2017 removed 25,000 lbs of trash & debris during May with 459 volunteers also removing dozens of tires , 500 gal propane tank , entire boat trailer , 3 T.V.’s , king size mattress and 3,000+ glass and plastic bottles just from the Norristown Basin .
Our first goal is to fund the operation and maintenance of the Aquatic Week Harvester that is being used to remove the Invasive Weeds from our watershed.
The Valley Forge Watershed was created in 2004 to Promote the Preservation , Water Quality , and Safe Recreational Use of the Schuylkill River ( www.vfwa.org ) and teams with the river communities , townships and the public to fulfill its mission . We need your help to preserve our precious natural resource for our children and future generations.
Organizer
Valley Forge Watershed Association
Organizer
Norristown, PA
Valley Forge Watershed Association
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
