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Watershed Department Bids Farewell to Drexel Co-ops

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Co-ops participating in fish electroshocking research with the Academy of Natural Sciences and Willistown Conservation Trust this summer.

Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT) is proud to participate in Drexel University’s Co-op program. Each year, from April to September, students join our Watershed Department to gain hands on field experience and learn from each of the different departments at the Trust. When Zack and Jules Smith joined the watershed team this spring, the Trust was already in lockdown. The whole team (Lauren, Evan, Zack and Jules) was not able to get together in person, so we met digitally, hoping that each week that we met via Zoom would be the last. Despite the many adjustments that set this co-op cycle apart from previous co-op  experiences, Zack and Jules showed that they had the adaptability of any great field researchers and were able to quickly join in the conversation and meaningfully contribute to the progress of the Watershed Protection Program.

Jules Smith

Jules:

When my co-op at Willistown Conservation Trust began at the beginning of April, I had no idea what to expect but the past few months have been nothing short of spectacular. One of my favorite parts of my co-op was participating in journal club discussions with the watershed team. Each time one of us presented a new topic connected to the work that is done at the Trust. I was continually learning new things, both from the papers we read and from Lauren, Zack, and Evan. Everyone’s willingness and eagerness to discuss such a wide range of science gave me new perspectives that I will carry with me long after my time at the Trust has ended.

The field work I was able to participate in allowed me to develop a deeper appreciation for land conservation and understand the importance of proper preserve maintenance. Tree planting and stewardship days were especially impactful as I gained hands-on experience in caring for native plants. I loved being able to lend a hand in keeping the preserves beautiful for everyone who comes to enjoy them.

Zack Smith

Zack:

Coming into my co-op at WCT I was expecting an experience that was mainly field work based and required working in close proximity to other people, but as the Coronavirus pandemic settled in it was apparent that was no longer going to be the case. This change was confusing at first but ultimately provided a unique co-op experience. The past 6 months have emphasized the importance of flexibility. Though I was eager to start working in person I had to remind myself that times have changed, and I need to be able to adapt to the situation.

This theme carried throughout my time at WCT. The remote work that we did was pretty refreshing and educational. I really enjoyed searching for a report of the week and reading all about a genus or species only to change my mind a few hours later and do it all over again. Our long and meaningful discussions about diversity, equity, inclusion and justice have provided a much different experience than I was expecting. I feel like I have learned a lot about myself, society, and others through these conversations and I am grateful for the safe space we had.

Lastly, the weekly field days in the latter half of the co-op were such a treat and an even better break. Going in and getting that person-to-person interaction while doing physical work on the preserves was rewarding in many ways. Though the co-op didn’t look like I expected, at the end of the day it was an invaluable opportunity that provided many different experiences necessary to growing as a person and a scientist.

Although this summer did not go as anyone on the Watershed Team planned, it was a rich and wonderful experience to be joined by such dedicated and passionate researchers.  The contributions of Zack and Jules have made a strong impact on the department, and all of us at the Trust are excited to see what amazing things are in store for the co-op class of 2020!

Meet Our Newest Watershed Team Members

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The Watershed Protection Program is thrilled to introduce the newest members of our team: Evan Hunt, Jules Smith and Zack Smith.  Evan is a Conservation Associate working through October 2020 and Jules and Zack are Co-op students from Drexel University through September 2020. “All three individuals are talented and passionate about conservation and water, and are excellent additions to the Trust family,” shared Lauren McGrath, Director of Watershed Protection.  

Read on as these new watershed staff members introduce themselves.

Evan Hunt helps out at a recent riparian tree planting.
He is our newest Conservation Associate in the Trust’s Watershed Program.

Evan Hunt
In 2018 I received a Bachelor’s degree from Ursinus College where I majored in Environmental Studies and conducted research on peoples’ connection to urban forests. Through this work I began to greatly value the social and humanistic aspect of land management. Soon after graduating, I started working for an ecological restoration company on large large-scale projects throughout Pennsylvania and New York. Later I served as the nursery assistant at a native plant nursery where I became well versed in the growth habits of trees and herbaceous plants native to the Mid-Atlantic region. I also advised clients on projects ranging from riparian buffer restorations to home garden installations. 

I first got involved at the Trust as a volunteer, assisting the watershed program with various land stewardship projects. Now as the conservation associate I have taken on a larger role in implementing riparian restoration projects and monitoring water quality throughout the watershed. 

In my current position I hopes to draw from these experiences to further enhance not only the ecological value, but also the social appeal of the waterways and preserves throughout Willistown. Outside of the Trust, I am an active volunteer with my local Tree Tenders group and spends my free time in the garden. 

Jules Smith is a new co-op student in the Watershed Program.

Jules Smith
My name is Jules Smith and I am a rising senior at Drexel University.  At Drexel I study environmental science and biology.  My personal interests include conservation biology and aquatic systems which made Willistown Conservation Trust my ideal co-op.

On campus I am in charge of a conservation genetics project under the guidance of Dr. Dane Ward.  The project is studying potential inbreeding dynamics in the Northern Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) through microsatellite DNA analysis. 

My previous two co-ops were both in the world of water.  The first being at the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) and the second at Aqua America.  At PWD I worked as an aquatic biology laboratory analyst.  I was involved in the testing of drinking and wastewater for a variety of coliforms and other bacteria.  At Aqua I was able to expand my knowledge and skill set beyond the lab space.  I was a part of the “Treatment Team” and was heavily involved in research regarding the removal of PFAS from drinking water.  I was additionally tasked with organizing and analyzing chemical data for dozens of sites across Southeast Pennsylvania.  These two experiences gave me a strong background in state regulations and water chemistry.

I am very excited to get started working with the Trust as I think this is the perfect opportunity to take my prior experiences with water and pair them with my passion for conservation.

Zack Smith is a new co-op student in the Watershed Program.

Zack Smith
Originally from Clarks Summit Pennsylvania, I am a pre-junior environmental science major at Drexel University. At school, I am involved in Dr. Dane Ward’s research lab where our goal is to assess potential differences in biofouling communities across Barnegat Bay, as well as across different temperature regimes in the lab. Aside from research, I am also a board member of our Sierra Club and Coffee Club, which are both aligned with two of my biggest hobbies – sustainable living and coffee. 

I’ve worked in a few different areas of environmental science in the past. Before starting college, I was an intern at Lacawac Sanctuary and Field Station in Northeast Pennsylvania. During my time there I worked alongside limnologists where we collected and processed lake water samples from across the region. I even spent a few weeks building a brand-new hiking trail that brought visitors to parts of the property they couldn’t access before. Once at Drexel, I was a member of the STAR program (Students Tackling Advanced Research) in Cienfuegos Cuba, where I was part of a collaborative team that studied the ecology, morphology, and biology of Melipona beecheii honeybees at 3 different bee farms in the province. Most recently, I was a co-op at the Philadelphia Water Department’s Compliance Assurance team where I spent most of my time constructing reports the Green Cities, Clean Waters program’s progress. 

I picked Willistown Conservation Trust’s Watershed Protection Program for my second co-op because of the fantastic opportunity to study the headwater streams in the Trust’s focal area and the self-guided research aspect that allows the co-ops to dive deeper into an area of interest. Growing up, I spent a lot of time on my local nature conservancy’s land both biking and hiking. Seeing that the Trust has the same goals of land and water preservation, I was immediately drawn in. From the welcoming environment to the ample opportunity to get in the field, I knew Willistown Conservation Trust was somewhere I wanted to be. 

Meet Laryssa Terleckyj, our Stewardship Intern

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Each summer, Willistown Conservation Trust hosts students who are pursuing degrees related to the conservation work we do here. We asked Laryssa, an intern working with Bill and Stewardship, some questions.

Laryssa has spent a lot of time in the field this summer.

1. What’s your major?

I study Environmental Engineering with an Environmental Policy minor at Clarkson University.

2. What interests you the most about working with Willistown Conservation Trust?

I am interested in learning the different ways that land is protected and  preserved. 

3. What do you hope to learn during your internship experience?

I have been learning more about land easements and the processes that go into land conservation. I have also been able to get more involved with community engagement and outreach events with the Trust. 

4. If you could design your ideal job, what would it be?

An ideal job for me would  involve research and experiments but would also involve a policy component to implement the findings of research. My ideal job would be centered around sustainability and implementing sustainable practices. 

5. When you’re not doing science stuff, what do you like to do?

Outside of the classroom and work, I love hiking, trail running, and horseback riding. I am also a workout instructor-in-training. 

6. How do you hope to make an impact in your chosen field?

Recently, I have become very interested in sustainable food systems and the agriculture industry. I either want to implement policy that will create a more sustainable food system or research and help people understand sustainable nutrition. 

New Trees Breathe New Life into Ailing Streamside Meadow

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In the haze of a steamy May morning, a team of volunteers, students, and Trust staff met in the dewy, northern meadow of Ashbridge Preserve. This meadow is the result of decades of sediment build up behind an old dam.  The lake that existed here since the dam was constructed in the early 1900’s was drained when the dam breached. 

Digging in…

Now, over 20 years since the dam failed, the resulting meadow is overrun with exotic grasses and vines.   These nonnative species have shallow root systems, which do not offer much support for the rapidly eroding stream banks nor do they provide shade for Ridley Creek, which suffers ill effects from sweltering summer sunlight. 

East Goshen Tree Tenders gave time & expertise.

Direct sunlight can cause water temperatures to increase, which can be stressful for an aquatic environment. Further, when the soil from stream banks erodes quickly into the stream, it can smother sensitive stream species.  Stabilizing the bank using tree roots can slow down the erosion to a level that even sensitive species can handle.

Volunteers planted 125 trees.

Ashbridge Preserve is owned and managed by Willistown Conservation Trust, who recently acquired funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Tree Pennsylvania to re-plant the streamside forest that historically grew here. Also known as riparian forest buffers, these streamside trees will stabilize Ridley Creek’s banks, shade its water and provide valuable habitat for native pollinating insects. Once mature, the effect of this buffer will be a much healthier stream.

Thank you, volunteers!

Just before the official start of summer, the Trust was joined by the members of the East Goshen Tree Tenders, students and teachers from Harriton High School, and several community members to plant the first 125 trees of what will ultimately become nearly 5 acres of new riparian forest buffer. On the tail of several severe weather patterns, the air was wet and heavy, but spirits were high!

Watershed co-ops from Drexel University got more field experience.

Eager hands and the expertise of the Goshen Tree Tenders made quick work planting, staking, and caging the young trees and shrubs. (By the way, if you missed out on this rewarding and fun event, we’ll be planting more trees in the fall! Watch for details.)

Great work, team!

The planting incorporates a diverse assortment of species that share an affinity for the wet soils of Ashbridge’s lakebed, including sycamore, river birch, swamp white oak, and persimmon. Once established, these new trees will help improve and protect water quality, restore animal habitat, and add new beauty to the surrounding landscape!

Planting trees + protecting watershed = big smiles!

Back to School: Banding a purple martin colony

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About a 15-minute drive from Willistown Conservation Trust are the Glen Mills Schools (GMS). While this private institution is closed at the moment, the huge purple martin colony it hosts on its quadrangle is very much open for business.

Looking at the 32 purple martin houses on the GMS quad

The purple martins have been living on the school grounds since the 1970s and our Rushton bird conservation team has been helping band the colony for the past 10 years. There are also many chimney swifts in the numerous chimneys of the various 19th century school buildings.

Checking a nest box for nestlings

Volunteers joined together with members of GMS staff, led by Doris McGovern (who was key in establishing the Rushton Woods banding program), to make its annual visit to the campus to band nestlings on July 3, 2019. About a dozen volunteers inspected the 32 martin houses at GMS and very carefully banded 250 fat and healthy purple martin chicks.

Team receives a briefing

A colony of this size in a very accessible area presents a unique opportunity to band a large number of individuals in just a matter of a few hours. Just like the birds we band at Rushton Woods Preserve, these purple martins will provide valuable information for the study of dispersal, migration, survival rate, reproductive success, and population growth. For example, we know that some of the birds raised at GMS now reside as adults at Bob Lange’s Sugartown Strawberry Farm.

These were a little too small to band

Some purple martins prefer the gourd houses

For more information about our bird conservation program see https://wctrust.org/birds/. For more information about purple martins, visit the Purple Martin Conservation Association https://purplemartin.org

Bird Conservation program intern, Kristen Johnson, raises a nest box back up the pole so the adults can return to care for the young.

Stewardship program intern Laryssa Terleckyj helps the team keep track of the tiny bird bands.