Friends of Heinz Refuge Annual Report 2013 - 2014 Page 1

Fiscal Year 2013 ~ 2014 Annual Report

(October 1, 2013—September 30, 2014)

Friends of Heinz Refuge

FRIENDS OF HEINZ REFUGE

8601 LINDBERGH BOULEVARD

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19153

info@FriendsofHeinzRefuge.org www.FriendsofHeinzRefuge.org Facebook.com/HeinzRefuge

Friends of Heinz Refuge Annual Report 2013 - 2014 Page 2

FRIENDS OF HEINZ REFUGE (FOHR) ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year 2013 ~ 2014

Completing our 16th year of operation, the Friends of Heinz Refuge has continued its established tradition of

working hand-in-hand with USFWS to implement its legislative mandates to promote habitat restoration, en-

vironmental education and compatible recreation at the John Heinz NWR at Tinicum. FOHR has effectively

responded to the challenges created by the funding cuts related to sequestration by increasing our support

for existing refuge projects and programs, while initiating our own, and by providing critical funding and ever

more volunteer time. We firmly pledge to continue our efforts to implement the FWS national initiative to

“Connect People With Nature”, and to support the Service’s new “Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative”, de-

signed to make its programs more relevant to the millions of urban Americans. The primary goals of the Ur-

ban Wildlife Refuge Initiative are to provide the framework for creating strong urban partnerships, to establish

a strong refuge presence, and to provide urbanites with meaningful ways to participate in wildlife conserva-

tion and recreation. We are proud supporters of America’s FIRST urban wildlife refuge!!

PROGRAMS ~ Engaging Young People

JUNIOR DUCK STAMP: FOHR supports the annual federal Junior Duck Stamp contest, encouraging stu-

dents grades K-12 to participate in this inspiring, curriculum-based art & science program. Serving as the

State Coordinator for the contest, Heinz Refuge received more than 200 submissions in the March 2014 con-

test. FOHR helped organize judging and provided refreshments for the judges. FOHR plans to encourage a

wider base of local schools to participate in the Junior Duck Stamp Program by utilizing the large contact

base we have in place for our annual Groundhog Day Art Contest.

YOUTH CONSERVATION AWARD: FOHR, with the guidance of the FWS, developed the increasingly popu-

lar Youth Conservation Award in 2010. This year a record number of 105 youths, including those from the

Camden School District and 2 New Jersey Boy Scout Troops, earned the award. Also receiving the award

this year were 74 summer campers at the refuge. The award is available to individual school students,

homeschoolers, scouts, and community groups. While earning the award, children learn about the cultural,

historical, and environmental importance surrounding the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, participate in

an on-site Refuge activities, and discover an understanding of the role of the environment in their lives.

SUMMER CAMPS FOR KIDS: Every year FOHR sponsors Heinz Refuge Youth Summer Day Camps. This

year there were three camps totaling 74 children from the nearby urban area with ages ranging from 6 to 14.

They all enjoyed exploring Refuge habitats, engaged in scavenger hunts and puzzles, and learned about

birds, turtles and mammals indigenous to the refuge while discovering the importance of protecting and en-

hancing wildlife and human habitat. Each encampment hosted a parents day at the end of the session at

which the children were presented with the Refuge Conservation Award, and viewed a composite video high-

lighting their camping activities. Drinks and snacks for campers were provided by FOHR.

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PROGRAMS ~ Inspiring People of all Ages

PHOTO GROUP: The photographic talents of the FOHR photo group are unsurpassed!! Their wildlife images

are so crisp and colorful that the viewer feels as though they can reach right out and touch the subject. Each

quarter our newsletter features a breathtaking refuge photo essay compiled by different members of the photo

group. The photo group also sponsors an annual photo contest, provides photo documentation of refuge ac-

tivities and events, and leads several well attended photo walks throughout each season of the year. Photo

Group members have created an awesome “traveling exhibit” (most recent venue at the Philadelphia School

District offices) depicting refuge wildlife. Many of their finest photos grace the walls throughout the Visitor

Center. NATURE IN ART: Talented wildlife artist, Newsletter contributor, and photo group member, Colleen

Stepanic began offering this new program teaching people to draw wildlife and scenes, in the spring of 2014.

WEED WARRIORS: The Heinz Refuge Weed Warriors program highlights tremendous volunteer commit-

ment to habitat restoration at the Refuge. Current report status shows that the lands in front of and around

the Visitor’s Center and along the city side of the Haul Road are in good shape. Weed Warriors recently

planted 91 native trees and 50 native shrubs and returned to monitor their growth and water them. One of

the next parcels in line is a 6 acre tract between the Haul Road and the universally accessible trail through

the woods. FOHR sponsors this exceptional program by hosting on-line program training and information on

our website, developing and printing brochures promoting the program to volunteers, and funding refresh-

ments for group special events.

GUIDED BIRD & NATURE WALKS: Free Nature walks which take place in all kinds of weather almost every

weekend throughout the year are led by a crew of dedicated volunteer naturalists (FOHR members). The

walk schedule is developed on a quarterly basis and is posted on both the refuge and Friends Group’s web-

sites, as well as being published in our quarterly newsletter; Marsh Musings. Evening nature walks were

added to the schedule this year and provided dozens of visitors the opportunity to view a thrilling Wood-

cock display at dusk, and an awesome view of scores of Great Egrets soaring over the boardwalk at sunset.

“TINICUM TREASURES” NATURE GIFT SHOP: FOHR’s inspiring environmental education theme contin-

ues to be manifested through the wide selection of nature books as well as nature related items which are for

sale in our gift shop. Another very popular item always found in our gift shop is shade-grown “Songbird Cof-

fee,” a fair-trade item which is sold in support of international efforts to promote conservation of migratory bird

habitat. Gift shop proceeds are used to support Refuge initiatives.

BIRDBOX BUILDING: FOHR sponsors a bird box building activity for children at refuge events, providing

free materials, on the spot assembly, and information about birds that could use the nest box. We partner

with the PA Game Commission to purchase the kits at cost. This activity promotes citizen science, spurs an

understanding of habitat enhancement, and engages people in hands-on conservation activities.

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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ~ Connecting Urban Youth to Nature

STEPHEN GIRARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: For many kids living in urban and underserved communities,

field trips to the Heinz Refuge will mark the first time they have ever walked in the woods. On May 27th,

many students from Stephen Girard elementary school accomplished that feat while on a field trip to the

Heinz Refuge (transportation cost subsidized by FOHR). Here the students made good use of the refuge’s

“indoor” and “outdoor” classrooms, exploring refuge habitats and bringing to life the lessons they had learned

from textbooks. Thomas Koger, FOHR board member and principal of the Girard School, envisions a contin-

ued and close partnership between his students, FOHR and the refuge for many years to come. Thomas is

also playing a key role in implementing the Philadelphia School District’s new initiative “Learning Network

One”, with the Heinz Refuge having been identified as a key community resource. At a “principal’s summit”

held at the refuge this spring 30 local school principals explored this budding partnership.

LONGSTRETH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: FOHR’s 4 year partnership with the teachers and students at

Longstreth Elementary School in West Philadelphia continues and grows stronger each year. Board member

and first grade teacher, Chuck Lafferty, and his kindergarten and first grade students constructed an award

winning native plants pollinator garden on the refuge, and concurrently developed a native plant nursery on

the grounds of the school. Several field trips during each academic year have kept the pollinator garden

flourishing. The school native plant nursery provides cross curriculum activities in that plantings and journals

provide science and writing practice, while math and arts skills take place when the students harvest seeds,

sort, count and package them and then design their own unique labels for each seed packet. Packets are

distributed in the neighborhood and sold at the Tinicum Treasures nature shop on the refuge.

NATIVE PLANTS POLLINATOR GARDEN: Our award-winning Pollinator Garden is a flagship spot on the

Refuge for environmental education and service-learning initiatives. It also serves as a haven for bees, but-

terflies and other pollinating species, and nursery for native plants. Initially developed by kindergarten stu-

dents and FOHR volunteers with assistance from the refuge facilities staff during the 2010 - 2011 school

year, this fenced garden includes designated pathways, raised garden beds with a colorful and aromatic vari-

ety of native plants, a pond and a composting area. The garden, designed in partnership with Penn State

Master Gardeners and funded in part through a grant from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, flourishes

under care of local students and “Pollinator Power” volunteers. Native plant seeds and seedlings are col-

lected on the Refuge, propagated in the schoolyard native plant nursery, and dispensed to neighborhood

families, the Tinicum Treasures gift shop, and other area schools as part of their schoolyard habitat develop-

ment program wherein children distribute plants and information into their own local urban communities.

NOTE: Due to recent changes in FWS policies relative to differentiating between the roles, insurance requirements and

responsibilities of Friends volunteers vs. Refuge volunteers, FOHR has been forced to sharply reduce Tinicum Treas-

ures Nature Gift Shop hours. FOHR is working diligently with FWS to resolve outstanding issues resulting from these

policy changes so as to be able to re-open the nature gift shop permanently..

Friends of Heinz Refuge Annual Report 2013 - 2014 Page 5

STUDENT BUS TRANSPORTATION: FOHR has recently formalized and funded a grant application pro-

gram through which schools can apply directly to us for a subsidy to cover part or all of the cost of bus trans-

portation for student field trips to the refuge. The Greater Philadelphia region which surrounds the refuge is

predominantly an urban and underserved community and is an essentially concrete environment. Children

raised in this atmosphere have little opportunity to see or understand the role that a healthy environment

plays in their lives, nor are they challenged to do so. Providing financial assistance which facilitates student

field trips to the refuge meets the goals in our newly adopted mission statement; those through which we de-

sire to connect people to nature and to promote environmental stewardship.

FALL-WINTER EVENTS ~ Engaging Visitors Indoors and Outside

WINTER BIRD COUNT FOR KIDS: An annual activity sponsored jointly by FOHR and PA Young Birders had

to be cancelled this year due to extreme weather conditions. This popular activity provides an opportunity to

learn about winter habitats, conservation, and citizen science surveys using eBird. Culminating each event

we hold a “Tally Rally”, and live-time data entry in eBird, a global database of avian information, followed by

hot pizza provided by FOHR. FOHR plans to continue this activity next year.

GROUNDHOG DAY FAMLY FESTIVAL: Our 5th annual Groundhog Day Family Festival, honoring the

refuge’s very own “Tinicum Tim”, took place on February 1, 2014 and drew approximately 300 kids and

adults to the refuge to enjoy a day of fun, food and festivities. Music flowed throughout the day, groundhog

puppet making and other related craft events were well attended, while coloring and crawling through a

groundhog burrow delighted toddlers in the audience. Meanwhile the Philadelphia Zoo and Franklin Institute

captivated audiences with special groundhog related presentations. Getting into the spirit of things the Penn-

sylvania Horticultural Society provided tips on making cold frames. The highlight of the day was our hundred

person procession from the visitor center to the groundhog burrow where everyone sang groundhog songs

and eagerly awaited Tinicum Tim’s emergence from his burrow. Tim did not see his shadow and predicted

an early spring. We all discovered in the ensuing weeks that he was WRONG!!

THE BIG SIT: The 5th BIG SIT at Heinz Refuge on Sunday, October 12, 2014 was a super success! From

the fixed location atop the observation tower, the Heinz Refuge “big sittas” welcomed more than 200 friends

and fans to participate in the 13-hour birding marathon. Many eyes and ears contributed to a record-breaking

number of 88 bird species! The cumulative 5-year BIG SIT list of 113 species reflects impressive avian diver-

sity and strong habitat resources for birds and wildlife at the Heinz Refuge. As an officially registered team in

this international event, the BIG SIT at Heinz Refuge provides great opportunity to showcase the importance

of public lands for wildlife and people communities alike.

ANNUAL GROUNDHOG DAY ART CONTEST: In conjunction with FOHR’s annual Groundhog Day Family

Festival we sponsored a “Groundhog Art—Based on Natural History” contest in area schools. This year we

had an astounding 772 entries from 27 area elementary, middle and high schools. The 30 contest finalists

were judged during the festival and prizes were awarded to the winners at the end of the event.

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SPRING-SUMMER EVENTS ~ Experiencing Wildlife and People Communities

PHILADELPHIA SCIENCE FESTIVAL: FOHR annually supports the Heinz Refuge participation in the Phila-

delphia Science Festival, an event which engages hundreds-of-thousands of Philadelphia area residents and

visitors in events all around the city. This year’s “Astronomy Night at the Refuge” program took place as

scheduled on April 25th but thunderstorms cancelled the outdoor astronomy activities. However, more than

100 kids and adults ventured to the refuge in spite of the weather and took in the remaining science themed

activities. The Philadelphia Zoo featured live frogs and a night hike highlighted “Project Frogwatch”, a citi-

zen science frog monitoring program where volunteers at any location can now enter their own data on am-

phibian observations on www.aza.org/become-a-frogwatch-volunteer.

DARBY CREEK CLEAN-UP: On Saturday, April 26, 2014, more than 200 dedicated volunteers participated

in the 30th Annual Darby Creek Cleanup at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, as part of an “Earth Day”

community service. Local residents, families and community groups including FOHR, Eastwick Friends &

Neighbors Coalition, Eastwick Action Committee, and 50 urban youth and crew leaders from the Student

Conservation Association pitched in for hours to fill two dumpsters with 120 cubic yards of trash. Thanks to

increased public awareness, environmental regulations, and citizen clean-up efforts, the lower Darby Creek

watershed is significantly cleaner than it was three decades ago. FOHR provided free lunch for all volunteers.

NTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY (IMBD): FOHR celebrated IMBD on Saturday, May 10, 2014

with guided bird walks, wildlife photography, and a Bald Eagle Walk & Learn with PA Young Birders. Nearly

90 people were engaged throughout the day in learning about birds and their habitats at Heinz Refuge. IMBD

coincides with the Pennsylvania Annual Migration Count (PAMC), conducted annually by the Pennsylvania

Society of Ornithology. The collective efforts at Heinz Refuge yielded 95 species and 920 individual birds,

highlighting 19 warblers, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Harrier, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager and

more.

CRADLE OF BIRDING WILDLIFE & CONSERVATION FESTIVAL: Every year FOHR supports the refuge’s

Cradle of Birding Festival by supplying volunteers, outreach activities and funding. This year a total of 876

people attended and enjoyed a wide array of activities including live animals, trolley tours, workshops, live

music, fly-tying, archery, guided walks, exhibitors and more. Food (paid for, cooked and served by FOHR)

was served on the deck between the main Visitor’s Center and the education wing. The afternoon’s keynote

speaker was Dr. Dan Duran, an expert on Bugs, Beetles, and Other Pollinators. In keeping with the FWS’s

Urban Initiative and their pollinator education efforts, Dr. Duran spoke on the varied and critical roles insects

play in the food chain, a subject seldom thought about by a highly urban population.

SCIENCE DAY AT THE BALLPARK: On April 29th, FOHR volunteers staffed a Heinz Refuge table at the

Phillies Ballpark where more than 120 kids and adults stopped to learn about the animal athletes at the ref-

uge. Students were encouraged to visit science themed display tables and collect stickers while teachers re-

ceived Science Festival Night curriculum to utilize in their classroom.

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CITIZEN SCIENCE ~ Counting for Conservation

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT and PHILADELPHIA MID-WINTER CENSUS: Heinz Refuge has long played

an important role in citizen science birding initiatives, engaging volunteers and reflecting impressive avian ac-

tivity in urban Southwest Philadelphia. During the last Christmas Bird Count (CBC), on December 14, 2013,

birders found 56 species at Heinz Refuge and Eastwick. In mid-January 2014, the area was surveyed again

for the 28th annual Philadelphia Mid-Winter Bird Census. Highlights include Bald Eagle, Sharp-shinned Hawk,

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Tree, Field and Fox Sparrows. The now-

famous Northern Shrike was reported again – a species that hadn’t been seen in Philadelphia since 1966, but

has spent the past 3 winters at Heinz Refuge. These long-running citizen science projects yield important

findings that impact research and conservation decisions.

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT (GBBC): The family-friendly GBBC at Heinz Refuge, held on February

15, 2014, attracted a small but determined number of kids and adults on a cold, wet morning. The intrepid

group walked through 8” of snow to find 29 species, including Bald Eagle, Mergansers, Rusty Blackbird and

Brown Creeper.

BALD EAGLE MONITORING: Birders, photographers, visitors and staff all keep an eager eye on the eagles

at Heinz Refuge, enthusiastically tracking courtship, nesting and chick behavior. In order to facilitate

“approved” venues of eagle watching, a volunteer training event took place on April 13th. Trained volunteers

then staffed an “official” eagle interpretive station with the best views of the nest. 2014 marked the 5th con-

secutive year that Bald Eagles nested on Oak Island at the far end of the impoundment. Unfortunately no

offspring were fledged this year although adults continue to be seen soaring over the refuge. Bald Eagles

have made a remarkable comeback since the species was first listed on the federal Endangered Species list

in 1972. It was de-listed in 2007 as a conservation success, and there are now more than 250 breeding pairs

in Pennsylvania, including 2 pairs in Philadelphia.

NABA BUTTERFLY COUNT: FOHR supported the 3rd annual North American Butterfly Association (NABA)

Official Butterfly Count at Heinz Refuge, an all-volunteer effort, on July 19, 2014. The refuge is but one of

over 340 counts performed throughout the country. The team of butterfly enthusiasts identified 22 different

species on the refuge including swallowtails, sulphers, skippers, whites and more. It was noted that the

numbers of species counted were up by 2 from 2013, and represents a total of 31 species sighted

overall in the last 3 years. For a variety of reasons including declining habitat, genetically altered plants and

chemical pollution, butterflies and other pollinators are disappearing dramatically on a world wide basis. At

the Heinz refuge 59 species of butterfly were recorded by the American Entomological Society in its 1966

study of the area. By the late 70’s this number had dropped to 42. With refuge habitat improvements con-

tinuing on an ongoing basis FOHR plans to continue participating in the annual NABA count and hope to

document a continuing increase in the number of species taking up residence here in the years to come .

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EASTWICK FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS COALITION (EFNC): FOHR works alongside Eastwick Action Com-

mittee (EAC) partners and supporters to promote environmental, economic and social sustainability for our

community. On May 8, 2014 we hosted a public community meeting to celebrate and highlight two years of

community action, engagement and success. More than 150 people came out to hear updates on flooding,

FEMA, landfills, community planning, Eastwick Trail Study, short-dumping and more. EFNC remains commit-

ted to involving and informing residents and stakeholders on these key issues, and is actively cultivating part-

ners to assist in this effort.

CLEARVIEW LANDFILL REMEDIATION: Almost exactly one year ago, in September 2013, EFNC submit-

ted official comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed clean-up plan for Clear-

view Landfill. On October 1, 2014, EFNC members joined other Eastwick residents in meeting with local EPA

officials to hear details on the officially signed ‘Record of Decision’ regarding Clearview. In short, the EPA will

proceed with the design, installation and maintenance of an “Evapotranspiration (ET) Cover” over the Landfill,

composed of thick layer of soil and trees to serve as natural filter of stormwater and toxins. The multi-year

process requires strong community engagement, and EFNC plans to be involved at every step of the way.

The Clearview Landfill – one of a host of environmental justice issues impacting Eastwick and Heinz Refuge –

operated from the 1950’s-70’s, before it was closed then declared a National Priority Superfund site in 2001.

The Folcroft Landfill located inside Heinz Refuge, is being handled as a separate unit by the EPA, and is still

in an assessment stage.

PARTNER INITIATIVES: The Friends of Heinz Refuge was pleased to partner with Delaware Valley Ornitho-

logical Society (DVOC) in jointly sponsoring a 3-part “Warbler’s Workshop Weekend” on April 25-27, 2014.

This collaborative initiative was a great success, attracting more than 160 participants throughout the week-

end. “The Warbler’s Guide” authors Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle inspired 80 people in the refuge’s

auditorium with their fascinating program about birdsong vocalizations. Dozens of birders from FOHR and

DVOC participated in companion bird walks at Belleplain State Forest in South Jersey, as well as at Heinz

Refuge.

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT ~ Forging Strong Partnerships

PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: For the last 4 years the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

(PHS) has partnered with FOHR principally in support of creating and sustaining our Native Species Pollinator

Garden. Every year they donate soil, mulch or plants as needed to sustain the garden or its partner nursery

on the grounds of Longstreth Elementary School in West Philadelphia. Three years ago the PHS awarded

our Native Species Pollinator Garden its prestigious “Greening Award”. In further evidence of its support of

FOHR initiatives, PHS has added our site as a teaching location for their “Green City Teachers” program

wherein teachers come to the refuge to study the concept of creating their own native species pollinator habi-

tats either at school or at home. For the last 3 years PHS has presented at our Groundhog Day Family Fes-

tival, teaching visitors how to get a head start on spring by making and using cold frames.

Friends of Heinz Refuge Annual Report 2013 - 2014 Page 9

REFUGE ADVOCACY ~ Inspiring Increased Refuge System Support

REFUGE ADVOCACY ON CAPITOL HILL: FOHR representative, Deb-

bie Beer, participated in a “Day of Advocacy” sponsored by the National

Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) in late September on Capitol Hill,

meeting with the staff of Representative Bob Brady, Senator Pat Toomey,

and Senator Bob Casey. She asked them 1) To support President

Obama’s request for a $99 million budget for USFWS; and 2) To fund the

Land and Water Conservation Fund to $900 million; money that already

exists for national wildlife refuges, it just needed to be appropriated.

COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA ~ We Are Connecting Virtually

FOHR has implemented impactful communications and social media strategies to connect and inspire our

members, supporters and fans of John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.

PEER TO PEER WORKSHOP: Friends groups assisting National Wildlife Refuges throughout the country

benefit from gathering together from time to time to exchange ideas, to explore methods of implementing new

Fish & Wildlife Service initiatives and to generally enjoy these exchanges. In late July 2014 FOHR joined rep-

resentatives from 7 other NWR’s in our region for a “Peer to Peer” Workshop, sponsored by Great Swamp

NWR and funded by a grant from the National Wildlife Refuge Association. We attended sessions covering

volunteer recruitment, board development, communications strategies, and developing community partner-

ships, interpretation of the new FWS Friends’ Policy, and enjoyed meeting old friends, and making new ones.

Facebook – Launched in June 2010, FOHR Facebook page facilitates lively, interactive engagement of

2,232 page supporters from all backgrounds, promotes events, highlights excellent photography, and pro-

vides Questions-and-Answers on many topics.

E-Bulletins – FOHR E-Bulletins, initiated in April 2011, connect with 820+ contacts monthly, announcing Ref-

uge events, spotlighting wildlife species and highlighting photography. New subscribers sign-up at the Refuge

Visitors Center, from our website, or from our Facebook page.

Website – FOHR website highlights events on a dynamic home page, informing and inspiring viewers to

visit and support Heinz Refuge. It facilitates E-Bulletin sign-up, Membership donations, access to Newslet-

ters, and Annual Reports. A “Google Calendar,” integrated on FOHR and FWS websites, details our activi-

ties schedule, updated with any post-print changes.

“Marsh Musings” Newsletter – Published quarterly, the FOHR newsletter showcases programs, events,

environmental education, wildlife observations, photography and activities schedule. It can be downloaded

as a PDF from our website. Free printed copies are available from the Heinz Refuge Visitors Center, distrib-

uted at off-site events, and mailed to about 220 FOHR members and contacts.

Friends of Heinz Refuge Annual Report 2013 - 2014 Page 10

VOLUNTEERS ~ Giving Time and Talent to Heinz Refuge

VOLUNTEERS DONATE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT “PEOPLE POWER” TO THE HEINZ REFUGE. To-

gether, FOHR volunteers and refuge volunteers contributed over 5100 hours of their time to the Heinz refuge

from October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014. Their time and talents cover a myriad of tasks including

trail maintenance, improving habitat by removing invasive plants and replanting native species, greeting visi-

tors, working with students, staffing gift shop, removing trash, guiding nature walks, writing grants, represent-

ing the refuge at off-site events and much more. This equates to a savings of $115,236.00 or the equivalent

of the salary for 3 entry level FWS employees.

Friends of Heinz Refuge ~ Defining Goals, Examining Skills

FOHR remains deeply committed to working hand-in-hand with Heinz Refuge staff

to achieve our mutual goals of habitat restoration, wildlife conservation and envi-

ronmental education. We know that the stronger our organization is, the more we

can accomplish together.

During the past year, FOHR has embarked upon several initiatives to strengthen

our organization. We worked hard to finalize our strategic plan, while identifying

our strengths and challenges, strengthening board governance, augmenting mem-

bership and standardizing decision-making. We’re striving to implement best- prac-

tice processes for non-profit organizations, as much as possible.

Strategic Planning – Through a William Penn Foundation Grant, FOHR contracted with LaSalle Non-

profit Center to help us develop a Strategic Plan to guide us into the future. We have completed this

process, are now developing an implementation plan, and will within the next month or two, officially

adopt the 3 year plan.

By-Laws Update – FOHR established a By-Laws committee last year to examine and update our 15-

year old By-Laws. Subsequent to their adoption by the board in August 2013, the FOHR board is

looking forward to developing a Governance Committee in order to develop sound policies and pro-

cedures by and through which the by-laws will be implemented.

Diversifying Board Skills and Perspectives – FOHR strives to broaden the skills and perspectives of

its Board of Directors in all sectors of our work. We are seeking active, engaged people to work on com-

mittees, attend meetings, and contribute their time and ideas.

Friends of Heinz Refuge Annual Report 2013 - 2014 Page 11

Friends of Heinz Refuge ~ Looking to the Future

The vision behind the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Urban Wildlife Refuge Initiative is to engage the Ameri-

can people so that they can better understand the National Wildlife Refuge System and its role in conserva-

tion. The initiative strives to make the Service’s programs far more relevant to millions of Americans — 80

percent of whom live in big and small cities — establishing a framework for creating new urban partnerships,

and establishing a strong refuge presence the 10 most demographically and geographically varied cities

across the United States.

The Heinz NWR at Tinicum is America’s First Urban Refuge!!

Located in the fifth largest city in the nation, surrounded by culturally, economically and socially diverse com-

munities, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia is uniquely positioned to embrace and imple-

ment this new initiative. FOHR strongly believes that this is not just a policy, but an imperative, to con-

nect urban youth and adults to nature today, so that they will actively support and vote for our natural

resources tomorrow.

Against this backdrop, FOHR outlines our ambitious plans and objectives for the next fiscal year:

Develop an implementation schedule for our new strategic plan with an emphasis on projects and pro-

grams in keeping with maximizing the urban initiative;

Expand our bus transportation funding base as a means by which more students in our regional under-

served communities will be able to visit the refuge on school field trips;

Unify and expand our outreach media, including a new website fully compatible with current social media;

Target our outreach efforts to encourage urbanites to join and strengthen our volunteer base;

Develop strong working committees as needed to implement our new initiatives;

Strengthen current partnerships and develop new ones with like-minded organizations for the mutual

benefit in sharing resources and achieving goals;

Explore opportunities to implement new citizen science and educational programs;

Expand our membership to include many more people who join us in supporting John Heinz National

Wildlife Refuge – a critically important resource for wildlife and people communities.

THANK YOU for your support of Friends of Heinz Refuge.

Your membership does make a difference. Together, we make great things happen!

Friends of Heinz Refuge Annual Report 2013 - 2014 Page 12

Friends of Heinz Refuge Board of Directors – October 2012-September 2013

Friends of Heinz Refuge Partner Organizations* We appreciate our partners with whom we work actively to achieve mutual goals and objectives.

A.S. Jenks Elementary School

Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Philadelphia

Birding Club of Delaware County

Darby Creek Valley Association

Delaware Valley Ornithological Society

Delaware Riverkeeper Network

Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition

Franklin Institute

Friends of Bombay Hook NWR

Friends of Forsythe NWR

International Institute for Advanced Instruction

Longstreth Elementary School

Mid-Atlantic Youth Anglers

National Wildlife Refuge Association

National Fish & Wildlife Foundation

Patterson Elementary School

PA Young Birders

Penn State University Master Gardeners

Pennsylvania Audubon Society

Pennsylvania Game Commission

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

Pennsylvania Sea Grant

Philadelphia Science Festival

Philadelphia Zoo

Project Budburst

Stephen Girard Elementary School

Temple University Earth Day Fair

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Valley Forge Audubon Society

Widener Partnership Charter School

*Please accept our apologies for any accidental omissions from this list.

ANNUAL REPORT Photographer Credits:

Debbie Beer Sanjib Bhattacharyya Adrian Binns Bill Buchanan Clarks Captures Mark Carey Ned Connelly Jean D ieh l Frank Doyle FWS Frank Miles Colleen McCubbin Cliff Hence Scott Kemper Ned Levi Karen McCunney Kay Meng Ann Reeves Kim Sheridan John Vohs

Ron Miller, President Jean Diehl, Newsletter Editor

Lynn Roman, Acting Secretary Denis Brennan

Ned Levi, Treasurer Hank Hox

Annemarie Rapp, Store Manager Thomas Koger

Stanley Rapp, Store Manager Chuck Lafferty

Jesse Smith, Webmaster Kay Meng