Forest Restoration: How History and Culture Shape Restoration in the Wissahickon Area
Date
2024
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Bi-College (Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges). Department of Environmental Studies
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Award
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eng
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Haverford users only
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Abstract
This capstone project discusses the history of the Wissahickon Valley, and the restoration efforts that maintain the natural splendor of the area. From the settlement of the Lenni-Lenape to today, the Wissahickon forests have undergone many changes and anthropogenic stresses. Today, the forest is recovering with the help of non-profit groups, volunteers, and funds from governmental institutions. The overall goal has been to increase native biodiversity, decrease invasive exotic plants, and maintain a functional space for Philadelphia residents. I will discuss how life history alongside the current culture of biking, deer culling opposition, and lack of funding for parks have impacted how restoration works in the Wissahickon Valley. Having grown up in the Wissahickon Valley, I have a deep appreciation for the area. As a biology-environmental studies double major, I have also been interested in the conservation and restoration of natural spaces that have been negatively affected by anthropogenic actions. When the opportunity to intern with the Wissahickon Restoration Volunteer (WRV) non-profit group came, I was able to take my experience from my classes and supplement it with hands-on learning. While WRV taught me about logistical matters concerning restoration under high disturbance, I was able to grow my skills in measuring trees to determine growth rates in one of the sites, which are essential in understanding how restored areas are progressing. This capstone project gave me the opportunity to learn more about restoration in a way that tied theory with practice. Urban forest restoration has the responsibility of upholding ecosystems and public health, making it an extremely important effort.