We're exited about the opportunities to work with Horsham Township and the Horsham-Hatboro School District to manage stormwater from this large multi-use site including Clearbrook Park and the Blair Mill Elementary School. The site is well suited to the Project Headwaters approach, with three stormwater BMP projects already identified in close proximity to one another.

Projects that are clustered close together have the potential to really generate a lot of "bang for the buck", especially when situated so close to the headwaters of this small tributary to Pennypack Creek.

Go to Detailed Bair Mill ES Project Information page.

Situated in the headwaters of Pennypack Creek, this 235 acre parcel affords an exellent opportunity to create and enhance small "pocket" wetlands that will detain and infiltrate stormwater. Kuhn Day Camp/College Settlement Camp is a non-profit organization that provides day and overnight camp and enviromental education programs to economically needy children in the Philadelphia region.

It is hoped that the stormwater management program will have further benefits of enhancing educational opportunities and attracting wildlife.

College Settlement Camp Website

Go to Detailed College Settlement Camp Project Information page.

Here at the Natural Lands Trust we have planted 670 trees in two separate planting events. Some riparian land is already somewhat naturalized, but only with herbaceous vegetation. The native trees we are planting will provide additional wildlife habitat, shading, and intercept stormwater and rainwater. Riparian buffers are critical here in the Headwaters of Pennypack Creek, where the watershed is experiencing increased development pressure.

Go to Detailed Natural Lands Trust Project Information page.

View some photos from the tree planting activities May 3-4

Stormwater basins within this mixed development are maintained by Horsham Township, and we're exploring options that will improve water quality while reducing maintenance costs.

These basins were designed to control peak discharge rather than detain stormwater for water quality benefits and infiltration. There are several options to consider when retrofitting basins like these. We may seek to establish native wet meadow vegetation to replace the mowed turf which requires frequent mowing.

Stormwater basins in this Horsham Township Park are already semi-naturalized, which may already be helping filter pollutants from the parking lot and stormwater, but we're exploring further options to detain stormwater for an extended period of time and possibly increase infiltration for even more water quality improvements. There is also an opportiunity to install an elongated vegetated swale along the north side of the parking lot.

Projects like this in a popular suburban park can have great educational value as well.