Second part in our Conservation in Philly series
This three-part Conservation in Philly series will explore the underappreciated side of the city’s conservation efforts. We dove into the waters of the Schuylkill and Delaware to highlight the tiny but mighty mussel in our first post of the series, and we’ll now walk in the cool shade of some of Philly’s most impressive trees, get close to the ground to see what our fungi friends are up to, and take a look at some sustainable food spots.
If These Trees Could Talk
Trees are amazing: they can significantly lower air and surface temperatures, reduce heat-related illnesses, and benefit mental and physical health for all Philadelphians. And many of Philadelphia’s parks double as fascinating historical sites and green spaces that serve these important human and ecological needs.
Back in 1683, founder William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme laid out a humble design for their experimental city, including five park squares and tree sites that would give Philadelphia its early “Greene Countrie Towne” appearance.
Once described as “a very agreeable retreat from heat and dust”, Washington Square – one of the five original planned parks just diagonal to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center – still boasts towering maples, elms, and sycamores. The tallest of sycamores shading the 6th Street sidewalk may have been planted as early as 1816!
All of these trees preside over the grounds where celebrations were once held by free and enslaved Africans and where graves were dug for victims of Yellow Fever and for the British and American soldiers who died in the Revolutionary War.
Southeast of the Square, Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church offers an even quieter respite from city life. Lined along the edge of the churchyard are several Osage orange trees, easily identified by their bright orange fissured bark.
Following the 1803 Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark’s subsequent journey to find passage to the Pacific Coast, seeds were sent back by the duo to Thomas Jefferson. Our third president then sent these seeds to nurseryman Bernard McMahon, who planted them on this site in 1804 or 1805. The trees standing in St. Peter’s cemetery today are descendants of these Osage seeds from the Ohio River valley collected during the 1804 expedition.
Notable burials at St. Peter’s to visit include those of Commodore Stephen Decatur, the last president of the Second Bank of the United States Nicholas Biddle, and painter Charles Willson Peale.
The trees we plant today will hold importance – socially and ecologically – for future generations. For anyone interested in getting their hands dirty and helping to preserve Philly’s valuable tree canopy, Philly Tree People offers opportunities to join planting parties that are great for any age.
The Birds & The Bees
Covering over 2,000 acres, Fairmount Park is the largest municipal park in Philadelphia. Its sheer size makes it invaluable for an abundance of species to thrive despite encroaching urban development. Over on the west side of the park, Concourse Lake supports native wildlife including birds like the green heron, monarch butterflies, shrubs like the aromatic spicebush, and 42 species of trees.
Throughout the entirety of the park, over 60 miles of streams slow and filter stormwater runoff that eventually flows into the Schuylkill River.
The park also contains some curious human-made attractions that make it even more of a worthwhile visit, including Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, handsome historic homes like Strawberry Mansion and Lemon Hill, and late 19th-century architectural features such as stone arch bridges and remnants from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition.
Farther down the Schuylkill River, a Quaker farmer named John Bartram purchased 102 acres from Swedish settlers back in 1728. When first POTUS George Washington visited the Bartram estate in 1787, he found the amateur botanist’s garden to be “not laid off with much taste.”
Despite Washington’s disapproval, Bartram’s Garden today is a prime destination for nature enthusiasts and recreation.
And though not all of the species here are native to the area – excepting the excellent pawpaw patch along one of the paths down to the river banks – the diversity of plants here is unmatched. The grounds include a rare Franklin tree, a yellowwood tree over 200 years old, and possibly the oldest ginkgo tree in North America. Several beehives on the property produce honey that is sold in the gift shop.
The garden is an important green space for West Philly residents, and visitors can enjoy free admission to walk the grounds, take a guided tour for a small fee, or go kayaking in the peaceful Schuylkill River.
A True Refuge From City Life
Some might be surprised to hear there is a wildlife refuge right next to Philadelphia International Airport. Threatened by Interstate 95 development and landfill plans, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge exists today thanks to local activists. Even today, volunteers continue to help restore and maintain the refuge in programs like Weed Warriors, who remove invasive species like Japanese knotweed.
A trail rings the freshwater tidal marsh, where hikers might spot an endangered turtle species and birdwatchers are bound to see hundreds of species of birds, including the majestic eagle!
Stay tuned for the third and final part of our look into Conservation in Philly, where we explore the businesses, organizations, and agencies that are leading the way in sustainability.
Also, if you’re looking for a fun and educational experience for your organization, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to arrange for a Custom Conservation Tour!
