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EPA Celebrates Nature’s Nurseries – Wetlands...By Assisting in Morris Arboretum Wetlands Restoration Project on May 24

Release Date: 5/23/2002
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543

Contact: Bonnie Smith 215-814-5543
PHILADELPHIA – The nation celebrates American Wetlands Month throughout May, focusing on increased understanding of the significance of wetlands in our environment.

“Part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s national wetlands policy is to foster voluntary approaches to protect these valuable resources. Morris Arboretum is one of those innovative projects,” said Donald S. Welsh, EPA mid-Atlantic regional administrator.

A wetlands planting event at Morris Arboretum on May 24 will be a wonderful way to learn about wetlands, and re-establishing wetlands. The planting of native wetland plants will begin at 9:30 a.m.

EPA provided funds last year to the arboretum, located in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. The site was originally part of an estate actively engaged in farming until it was converted into an arboretum. In the intervening years the wetland had suffered severe erosion.

The arboretum began restoration of the wetlands, located between Paper Mill Run and Wissahickon Creek last winter. The site is on the right-hand side of the driveway, as you enter the Arboretum. The restoration focuses on a severely-eroded quarter-mile section of both banks. The areas was re-graded into a gradual slope, and sections of both terra-cotta pipe and old concrete bridge structures were removed. Coconut fiber logs were installed along the toe of the affected sections and mats of the same material are being used to cover the exposed soil. Native plants are now being installed throughout the area and incorporated into existing plant communities.

When completed, the area will be a public educational display about wetlands and a study area for Chestnut Hill College and the University of Pennsylvania.

May 24 be will the second time EPA employees have assisted the arboretum this spring. On April 12, EPA employees planted native wetland plants in the restored wetlands area. Even though the weather was wet and dreary, the wetland volunteers planted over 150 shrubs and saplings along the banks of the wetland.

Wetlands are nature's nurseries, providing habitat to protect early plant and aquatic life. Migrating birds also use wetlands to rest and feed. Wetlands are great spots for fishing, canoeing and bird-watching.

They are important for flood control, acting as buffers to absorb and reduce major impacts from flooding waters. Wetlands are transition areas between land and water, combining elements of both, such as grasses and other plant life that spend at least part of the year in shallow water.

The health of our nation’s wetlands depends on how we treat them. EPA strives to achieve no net loss of wetlands and move towards an annual net gain, and is committed to enhancing wetlands protection by encouraging and enabling others to act effectively in wetlands protection and restoration. Through education, cooperation and volunteer efforts we all can help to conserve and enhance these valuable resources. Information on wetlands and how the public can help is available at: https://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands.

The Morris Arboretum is a 92-acre horticultural display garden with a spectacular collection of mature trees from around the world. Open to the public daily, this Victoria landscape garden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the official Arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.