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EPA Lauds Cheltenham Township Partners for Environmental Stewardship

Release Date: 6/19/2003
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA - At today’s ceremony in Tookany Creek Park, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials honored Cheltenham Township for its environmental stewardship.

EPA presented a bronze plaque to the township officially designating Tookany Creek Park as a Five Star Restoration site. The Township’s goal, along with its partners, is to restore the streambanks in Tookany Creek Park.

“We are pleased to honor these true environmental champions – working closely with their partners to see a real problem and fix it. The restoration will reduce flooding in an area once ravaged by floods, a lasting benefit for the Cheltenham Township community,” said Donald S. Welsh, EPA regional administrator.

The Five Star Restoration program is voluntary and gets it name by involving at least five different organizations. At Tookany, there were 11 partners. A list is attached. Each organization contributed cash or in-kind services. EPA supported the program through a cooperative grant agreement. Program activities included training students and youths to restore river corridors and wetlands.

Specifically, the Tookany Creek restoration project involves a comprehensive revitalization and restoration of the creek. By adding native plants, trees, and wetlands they help naturally slow the creek and absorb the rain that, in the past, could have caused flooding. The partners have also developed a watershed information and training manual on issues related to the Tookany Creek watershed for middle school students.

The Five Star program encourages a natural approach to improving open spaces including: 1) restoring wetlands, streambanks, and habitats; 2) training youth and creating employment; 3) increasing awareness for land stewardship; 4) building partnerships; and 5) increasing community spirit. For more information on the Five Star Restoration program visit the EPA website at .


Attachment

• Board of Commissioners, Township of Cheltenham
• Pa. Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
• Pa. Department of Environmental Protection
• Pa. Fish & Boat Commission
• Tookany Creek Watershed Steering Committee
• Tookany-Tacony Frankford Watershed Partnership
• PECO Energy Company
• Reed City Power Line Supply
• Heritage Conservancy
• Lockheed Martin
• National Tree Trust

This site was designated as a Five Star Partnership by:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
• National Association of Counties
• Wildlife Habitat Council
• National Association of Service and Conservation Corps


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