The new wetlands, installed at Pier 53

On Saturday, June 27, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society ran a second workshop at Pier 53, this time focusing on ecology. The session began with a great presentation from the Philadelphia water Department, discussing the findings of various fish studies conducted by PWD in both the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. Next, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary spoke about how important the Delaware Estuary system is for a number of species. Did you know that the Delaware Estuary is home to the world’s largest breeding population of horseshoe crabs? Freshwater mussels are especially important to the ecosystem as they are great at filtering water. The mussels in the estuary system can filter 59 million liters in an hour. The children in attendance were able to hold freshwater mussels and learn more about them. We also got to see their filtering in action, comparing a fish tank filled with river water against a tank with the same water with mussels.

Following the presentations, the group headed outside and listened to team members from Biohabitats describe their process for building floating wetlands. After Biohabitats taught the group how to construct a floating wetland, everyone jumped right in and constructed eight wetlands in less than two hours. Thanks to everyone who came and helped out!

Children hold mussels and learn about them from the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary team

The audience watches the presentation by the Philadelphia Water Department

Constructing the floating wetlands

Planting a variety of flowering plants and grasses into the wetlands

The new wetlands, installed at Pier 53