Donate, Volunteer, or Learn More
Please help WRV maintain and improve the beautiful Wissahickon Park, backdrop of the Wissahickon Trail Classic.
Runners have discovered that the Wissahickon offers one of the best trail networks on the East Coast. But these fantastic running conditions do not occur automatically. Maintaining these trails and preserving this forested parkland takes a lot of work.
WRV is a member-supported, volunteer-driven nonprofit founded in 1997 that actively protects and improves the Wissahickon Valley’s natural environment within the nearly 2,000-acre urban park, more than 80% of which is still forested.
WRV’s leaders coordinate restoration efforts with Fairmount Park. Relying on volunteers from our membership and partner groups (schools, religious groups, and service organizations), WRV restores ecological relationships by removing invasive vines and vegetation, planting trees and shrubs that are native to the Wissahickon, repairing trails, and removing trash. Restoration of ecological services through human intervention is urgent because of the severe impacts of human activity. Introduced invasive plants and changes in hydrology radically alter the natural qualities of the Wissahickon.
WRV has partnered with more than 50 community groups from across the Philadelphia region, and thousands of individuals have contributed tens of thousands of volunteer hours to accomplish our mission. Over the years, thousands of trees and shrubs have been planted, countless amounts of exotic invasive plant species have been removed, and more work is needed every year!
This year WRV will be working at sites near Wigard Ave and Hermit Lane in Roxborough, along the Lavender Trail near Chestut Hill Avenue, and at other locations in the Park. Volunteer work groups take place on many weekends, including the first Saturday and the third Sunday of the month. You can help Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers in two ways:
- You can donate money to help WRV pay for more trees and tools, and to fund WRV staff to coordinate volunteer groups, or
- You can donate your time/labor. No experience is needed join a WRV work crews, which is a great way to get enjoyable exercise and fresh air on a weekend morning.
When you donate to the WRV, you are making a personal investment in the Wissahickon.
Thank you for your support!
The WRV office is located at:
211 Rittenhousetown Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Website: WissahickonRestorationVolunteers.org