Mussel Maniacs
2024-12-14 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, United States
Join us for our monthly freshwater mussel measuring event at the Discovery Center on December 14, 2024! This community science program helps our freshwater mussel propagation program and brings us a step closer to cleaner water for birds and for ourselves.
This program is designed for adult volunteers. Children age 12 and up can participate with an adult. For more information, contact Bria Wimberly at bria.wimberly@audubon.org or Stacey Heffernan at stacey.heffernan@phila.gov.
Registration is required: https://forms.gle/XQzFRkWXQQ1ZbDRc6

Pop-Up: Let's Go Fishing
2025-05-31 11:00 - 14:00 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Let’s Go Fishing Pop-Up
Join us to learn about the fish living in the Schuylkill River. Playing our Fish Game will allow you to use one of our fishing poles to try your hand at catching a fish! No registration needed – just drop in! We provide all equipment needed.
Location: Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive 19130

Get to Know the Schuylkill River - Kayak Program
2025-06-21 10:30 - 14:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Start at Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center: collect water samples from the river and try your hand at identifying some of the microlife we’ll find. Explore the history of Philadelphia’s innovative water supply system. Get to know the freshwater mussel species we are propagating in our hatchery.
After a brief lunch break (bring your own), we will hike down the Schuylkill River Trail (about 1 mile) to the Walnut Street Dock, where kayaks await. Hidden River Outfitters will give a brief orientation to paddling and then we’ll get into our kayaks and out on the river!
This program is geared towards families with youth ages 12 and up. (12 years is the minimum age allowed). All participants must sign a kayak waiver, and participants aged 12-18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will need to sign the minor’s kayak waiver.
Meet at Fairmount water Works at 10:30am. Space is limited; 20-person maximum. Advance registration required. Fee: $10/person.
This program is made possible through a partnership between Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center and Schuylkill River Development Corporation.
A bus will be available at Walnut Street to take participants back to FWWIC instead of walking back, if desired.
Email stacey.heffernan@phila.gov, Environmental Education Planner, FWWIC, for more information.

Wawa Welcome America Free Museum Day: Propagating Mussels
2025-06-25 10:00 - 15:00 | PA
Propagation of Freshwater Mussels
A trial for propagating freshwater mussels is tentatively scheduled for June 25th.Visitors will see our scientists at work inoculating Largemouth Bass with Eastern Pondmussel glochidia. Eastern Pondmussel is one of the native freshwater mussel species we can still find in our local rivers. Learn about the freshwater mussel’s unique life cycle and about our research and interest in restoring populations of these filter feeders in the Delaware River watershed. In the event the trial needs to be postponed, we will have a simulation of the propagation trial for visitors. Our Wet Lab will be set up with hands-on activities and games about freshwater mussels to help visitors get to know this fascinating critter and understand why the Philadelphia Water Department is investing in this kind of innovative approach in source water management.

Pop-Up: Pollinator Workshop
2025-06-28 11:00 - 14:00 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Pollinator Workshop Pop-Up
Celebrate National Pollinator Month 2025 with us! Explore pollinators by playing games, doing a scavenger hunt and making a bee hotel! Free, no registration needed – just drop in! Limited supplies for the bee hotel: first come, first served.

Location: Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive 19130

The Delaware River Festival
2025-09-27 10:00 - 16:00 | Penn’s Landing
The Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center is excited to be a part the Delaware River Festival!
Enjoy a ride on the RiverLink Ferry between Philadelphia and Camden…
Visit the Independence Seaport Museum…
Spend time on the water at Paddle Penn’s Landing…
Live bird shows…
Get your face painted…
Learn from environmental exhibitors…
Win prizes from the scavenger hunt…
Views of sailboats racing in the Philadelphia Cup Regatta
…and so much more!
More info at www.delawareriverfest.org.

Pop-Up: River Crafts and Collaging
2025-11-29 11:00 - 14:00 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Did you know we have an insect in our river that makes its own home from the environment? Collage custom caddisfly cases with found objects from in and around the Schuylkill River.
This is fun for the whole family ! No registration needed. Just drop-in and let your creativity flow! No charge.

Dew Drop-In... for fun!
2026-01-24 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-31 10:00 - 17:00 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
Hands-on activities for all ages!
All ages. No registration needed. Just drop in!
FREE

Aquatic Saturday at Discovery Center
2026-03-07 13:00 - 15:00 | The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, United States
We are joining Audubon staff at Discovery Center to take a look at our freshwater mussels that have been growing in the reservoir. We will learn how to measure them for data, and conclude with sampling the water to view and identify our microscopic organisms. We’ll also have materials for optional watercolor painting with lake water.

Dew Drop-In
2026-03-21 10:00 - 16:30 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
All ages are welcome to join us at Dew Drop-In workshops on Saturdays at Fairmount Water Works!
During March’s theme, The Color of Water, we’re exploring what affects the appearance of water, and then using the waterways of Philadelphia as inspiration for watercolor art.
See where your creativity flows on March 21 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m!

Dew Drop-In
2026-03-28 10:00 - 16:30 | Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
All ages are welcome to join us at Dew Drop-In workshops on Saturdays at Fairmount Water Works!
During March’s theme, The Color of Water, we’re exploring what affects the appearance of water, and then using the waterways of Philadelphia as inspiration for watercolor art.
See where your creativity flows on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m!

Understanding the Urban Watershed - Kayak Program
2026-06-06 10:30 - 14:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Start at Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center: collect water samples from the river and try your hand at identifying some of the microlife we’ll find. Explore the history of Philadelphia’s innovative water supply system. Get to know the freshwater mussel species we are propagating in our hatchery.
After a brief lunch break (we provide), we will hike down the Schuylkill River Trail (about 1 mile) to the Walnut Street Dock, where kayaks await. Hidden River Outfitters will give a brief orientation to paddling and then we’ll get into our kayaks and out on the river!
This program is geared towards families with youth ages 12 and up. (12 years is the minimum age allowed). All participants must sign a kayak waiver, and participants aged 12-18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will need to sign the minor’s kayak waiver.
Meet at Fairmount water Works at 10:30am. Space is limited; 20-person maximum. Advance registration required. Fee: $10/person.
This program is made possible through a partnership between Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center and Schuylkill River Development Corporation.
Email emily.m.romberger@phila.gov, Environmental Education Planner, FWWIC, for more information.
