Restoration Sites

Riparian and Forest Habitat Enhancement Project

This project is the second phase in an initiative to restore the surrounding ecosystem of Smith’s Run, a first-order stream that runs through SCEE’s property. Funded by a grant from The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the project involves the enhancement of a significant multi-acre site along the stream to improve bird habitat, water quality, and biodiversity in the area. Currently, the site suffers from habitat degradation by white-tailed deer, non-native invasive plants, and exotic earthworm species. Seven PA Bird Species of Special Concern have been identified that would benefit from restoration activities at the site, including the Broad-winged hawk, Cerulean warbler, and Great blue heron. With the help of interns from Philadelphia University, data was collected on soil and water quality, the earthworm population, and existing plant species. Next, volunteers planted native trees, shrubs, and herbs, and sulfur was applied to study plots to control the invasive earthworms. Monitoring will be continued into next year to determine the effectiveness of our methods.

Click here to read the complete report on Microbial assessment of effective earthworm management trials for restoration of an urban temperate forest site.

Smith’s Run-Streambank Stabilization

In November 2005, the Center was awarded a $15,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Delaware Estuary Grants Program in order to stabilize the streambanks of Smith’s Run, a first order stream that runs along the eastern side of The Center’s property. The stream, along with The Center’s Wind Dance Pond Trail bridge were destroyed as a result of stormwater overflow during summer 2004. Since that time, visitors had been unable to access this portion of the Wind Dance Pond Trail, which is used for general hiking as well as water testing and learning about aquatic habitats. During summer 2006, The Center worked with Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Paul W. Steinbeiser, Inc. to restore over 1,000 linear feet of the streambank. Reconstruction of the site and installation of a new bridge have allowed The Center to successfully reopen this popular trail. We encourage patrons to visit the restoration site and utilize our new bridge!

Penn's Native Acres

Started in 2000, this land restoration project takes place on 15 contiguous acres of forest and wetland within our 340-acre property. Penn's Native Acres is the only public education venue that features a complete, living collection of multiple habitat and plant species indigenous to Southeastern Pennsylvania. It is an example of what a native Pennsylvania forest might have looked like in the time of William Penn. Although the site is not currently open to the public, in the future, it will include an interpretive trail system for visitors to use that highlights the links between plant and wildlife diversity; control of invasive species; planting of native vegetation; tending and monitoring new plantings; and the performing of annual surveys to count numbers and types of vegetation and wildlife.

American Chestnut Grove

This site, started in 2001, is three acres of land dedicated to reintroducing the American chestnut into our ecosystem. The American chestnut was once the dominant hardwood of the American east. Used for everything from telephone poles to furniture, this species was important economically as well as for the habitat benefits it provided. In the early 1900's the blight (an Asian fungus) was introduced into the United States. It was first found in the New York Zoological Garden and within the next fifty years, almost all American chestnuts had perished. In conducting the American Chestnut Grove project, the Center has partnered with the American Chestnut Foundation and will aid in widespread efforts to reintroduce the American chestnut back into its natural habitat of the east coast.

Kentucky Warbler Habitat Enhancement Area

Located on 10 acres of land in the BioPreserve section of the Center’s property, the Kentucky Warbler Habitat Enhancement Area is designed to restore healthy nesting and breeding grounds for the Kentucky Warbler, an indicator species of neotropical migratory songbird. As a result of growing forest fragmentation, due to urbanization, invasive plants, and over-foraging by local animals, these birds have been exposed to loss of nesting habitat and exposure to predators. Since Philadelphia is located in the northeastern most part of the bird’s breeding area, this project was developed to increase food sources and the biodiversity of plants and wildlife by controlling invasive plant species and recruiting native vegetation. From the time when the site was created, a Kentucky Warbler has been observed passing through the Center’s grounds. We hope that a pair will stop soon to nest!