Exploring Our Urban Watershed
2021-05-29 10:30 - 15:00, 2021-07-17 10:30 - 15:30, 2021-09-04 10:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Join Fairmount Water Works and Schuylkill River Development Corporation in exploring the Schuylkill River in a program both on land and on the water!
We start at Fairmount Water Works and move through 3 hands-on activities: creating a mural of the historic Schuylkill River, examining microscopic life in a drop of river water and engaging in a native plant scavenger hunt.
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.
A bus will be available at Walnut Street to take participants back to FWW instead of walking back, if desired.
Space is limited; 18-person maximum. Advance registration required. Minimum age is 12.
In registering for this program, you agree to the following:

Wear a face mask that covers your nose and mouth at all times.
Maintain six feet of distance between yourself and others not in your group.
Answer a set of questions regarding your COVID exposure the morning of the program. This can be done online.
Take a survey at the end of the program.

Email stacey.heffernan@phila.gov, Environmental Education Planner, FWWIC, for more information.

Watershed Wednesdays at the Fairmount Water Works
2021-07-28 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-08-04 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-08-11 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-08-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
We will get to know the Schuylkill River by exploring various watershed topics through hands on activities, games and art projects.
Suitable for ages 5 and up. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Advance registration required.
Sign up for one session or sign up for them all!
All sessions are 10am-11:30am.
Email educator stacey.heffernan@phila.gov for more information.
July 28 – Life in a Drop of River Water: Use our iPad with a microscope attachment to discover the microscopic life in a sample of water taken from the Schuylkill River. Try to identify the little creatures and create drawings to take home.
August 4 – FWW Version of Gyotaku: Long ago, fishermen in Japan created gyotaku prints to record their prized catches and create art. Bring a white t-shirt for your printed fish creation! Learn about the different species of fish that call the Schuylkill River home.
August 11 – Plant Life in the City: We will randomly select varied sites to identify and compare the variety of plant life in a grassy area. Compare plants in a manicured area to plants that grow in a less managed site. Learn how to mount a plant to make an herbarium specimen to take home.
August 18 – Silt Island Plants and Animals: Learn to use binoculars and participate in a scavenger hunt on the Boardwalk. Discover all the different birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles that live in our area. Bring a notebook from home and try your hand at nature journaling.
Photos will be taken of participants during this program for use by Fairmount Water Works and/or the Philadelphia Water Department. If you wish to opt out, please let us know before the program.

River Days 2021
2021-10-02 11:00 - 14:00 | The Discovery Center, 3401 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19121, United States
Enjoy hands-on activities for families throughout the day, plus a live performance conducted by the Cultural Heritage Fund Group, comprised of citizens of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape tribe and presented by the Lenapehoking~Watershed, a place for water, art and culture.
Lenape performance/presentation starts at 1pm!
Space is limited, so be sure to secure a space for you and your family today!
Note:
Hurricane Ida is the second storm in recent FWW history that’s caused flooding of this magnitude. We understand that climate change is responsible for the intense storms we’ve experienced.
Due to extreme flooding at the Interpretive Center, this event will be held at The Discovery Center (, Phila., PA 19121).

Summer Splash Early Literacy Program
2022-07-09 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-07-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-07-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-08-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Join us for lively family expeditions at the Fairmount Water Works along the Schuylkill River on select Saturday mornings!
Explore the area with guided activities and continue the fun with take-home books and kits full of water-themed activities to do in your neighborhood.
Serving our neighboring neighborhoods: Brewerytown, Fairmount, Strawberry Mansion, Francisville, North Broad
Held on the following Saturday dates from 10am – 12pm: July 9, July 16, July 23, and August 6.
Pre-registration is suggested but not required.
Sign up for all 4 or individual sessions. Space is limited!

Honoring Our Past: Lenni Lenape Origins in Our Urban Watershed
2022-10-08 12:00 - 15:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Our River Days Program aims to honor and recognize the Lenni Lenape as the original shepherds of this region and provide community members with an opportunity to explore our watershed through games, hands on activities, and walking tours.

We’ll host the Aqua Marooned Game, lead a water quality testing activity, and wrap up the day with a Lenni Lenape land acknowledgement and interactive presentation.
No registration required.

Freshwater Mussel Measuring
2023-03-25 10:00 - 12:00 | 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 March 25, 2023! This community science program helps our freshwater mussel propagation program and brings us a step closer to cleaner water for birds and for ourselves. For more information, contact Bria Wimberly at bria.wimberly@audubon.org or Stacey Heffernan at stacey.heffernan@phila.gov.
To register, please go to: https://forms.gle/c9akz9ZZ7rp7wRYq8

Mussel Maniacs
2023-04-29 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-05-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-06-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-07-29 10:00 - 12:00 | 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 Saturday, April 29 from 10am – 12pm! This community science program helps our freshwater mussel propagation program and brings us a step closer to cleaner water for birds and for ourselves. For more information, contact Bria Wimberly at bria.wimberly@audubon.org or Stacey Heffernan at stacey.heffernan@phila.gov.

Full STEAM Ahead at Fairmount Water Works: WE DRINK THE RIVER
2023-05-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
How do we know if the water in the Schuylkill River is healthy? Join FWWIC staff in collecting water samples from the river to test the water quality. Use a plankton net to sample microorganisms and view with a microscope. Try to identify them and make a sketch to take home! Recommended for families with children at least 6 years old. Free.

Exploring Our Urban Watershed on Land and Water
2023-06-10 10:00 - 15:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Join Fairmount Water Works and Schuylkill River Development Corporation in exploring the Schuylkill River – from life in a drop of river water to plants that help keep the river clean.
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. Minimum age is 12 years old. 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; 18-person maximum. Advance registration required. Fee: $10/person.

SPLASH: Summer Family Literacy Program
2023-07-08 12:00 - 20:00, 2023-07-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-07-22 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-07-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
Saturday mornings filled with lively family expeditions at the Fairmount Water Works site along the Schuylkill River!
Explore the area with guided water-related activities. The fun continues with take-home books and kits full of water-themed activities to do in your neighborhood.
Dates: July 8, 15, 22, 29, rain or shine
Time: 10am- 12noon (meet across from the Fountain of the Sea Horses at 10 am)
Optional round-trip (school) bus transportation will be provided for those traveling from the adjacent Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. Bus departs at 9:30 am outside Mander Playground (33rd & Diamond Streets), and leaves from the Fairmount Water Works at 12noon.
This free program is for families with children 2-8 years old. All siblings welcome.
Registration required.

Mussel Maniacs
2023-08-26 10:00 - 12:00 | 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 Saturday, August 26 from 10am – 12pm! This community science program helps our freshwater mussel propagation program and brings us a step closer to cleaner water for birds and for ourselves.
For more information, contact Bria Wimberly at bria.wimberly@audubon.org or Stacey Heffernan at stacey.heffernan@phila.gov.

Mussel Maniacs
2023-09-30 10:00 - 12:00 | 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 Saturday, September 30 from 10am – 12pm! This community science program helps our freshwater mussel propagation program and brings us a step closer to cleaner water for birds and for ourselves.
For more information, contact Bria Wimberly at bria.wimberly@audubon.org or Stacey Heffernan at stacey.heffernan@phila.gov.

Mussel Maniacs
2023-10-28 10:00 - 12:00 | 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 Saturday, October 28 from 10am – 12pm! This community science program helps our freshwater mussel propagation program and brings us a step closer to cleaner water for birds and for ourselves.
For more information, contact Bria Wimberly at bria.wimberly@audubon.org or Stacey Heffernan at stacey.heffernan@phila.gov.

Mussel Maniacs
2023-11-11 10:00 - 12:00 | 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 Saturday, November 18 from 10am – 12pm! This community science program helps our freshwater mussel propagation program and brings us a step closer to cleaner water for birds and for ourselves.
For more information, contact Bria Wimberly at bria.wimberly@audubon.org or Stacey Heffernan at stacey.heffernan@phila.gov.

The Watershed is an Open Book
2023-11-18 12:00 - 14:30 | Fairmount Water Works, 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
A fun, family program for PreK-3rd grade and their caregivers. (All siblings welcome)
All programs are free, but pre-registration is required.
https://tinyurl.com/y89rkpzr

A PROGRAM SUPPORTED BY THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION.

Mussel Maniacs
2023-12-16 10:00 - 12:00 | PA
Join us for our monthly freshwater mussel measuring event at the Discovery Center on December 16, 2023! 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.
