Friends of the Wissahickon

11/05/2026

📰Wissahickon Wildlife Caught on Camera

October came and went and we can point to exactly what Friends of the Wissahickon’s (FOW) staff and volunteers were up to; see nearly 600 newly planted saplings.

But what exactly were the full-time residents of the Wiss up to last month? Typically, it’s tough to say. But, with the addition of a few off-trail cameras, deep in the Wissahickon forest, we have more than an idea.

Yes, what you might assume is correct- lots of squirrels!

Here’s a look into the first full month of Wissahickon wildlife shenanigans documented by Penn Vet.

Continue reading: https://fow.org/nocturnal-wissahickon-wildlife-caught-on-camera/
This article was seen first in FOW's weekly eNewsletter. Sign up here: fow.org/newsletter

11/04/2026

11/03/2026

Hey Germantown,

We have some exciting news to share: the park's first All Persons Trail is coming to Walnut Lane and Morris Street in your neighborhood.

We want your feedback! Learn more about the project and tell FOW what you'd like to see at this exciting new installation THIS THURSDAY, November 5. Drop in between 4:30 and 7:30 PM.

Register here: https://fow.org/event/nov5/

11/03/2026

We're back with another highlight from your FOW Field Team!

Happy Election Day! Since some of you may be spending the day anxious about the polling results, we thought we'd give you a delightful distraction. Check out these amazing photos from this past Saturday's Halloween planting event! Over 70 volunteers came out to plant 185 native trees and shrubs with us, many of which were in costume.

Though our planting season is over, we still have plenty more volunteer events coming up this year. Check out our events calendar 🔗fow.org/events to find your next opportunity.

Also...don't forget to vote!

11/02/2026

🌱ICYMI

We were joined by Tama Matsouka Wong of Meadows and More for her fantastic Valley Talk, Into the Weeds: Foraging for Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania.

👀Watch the recording on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WQDiMFU33g

🌸For more from Tama: https://www.meadowsandmore.com/

📷Rebecca Wilson

10/29/2026

📰Congratulations to our 2026 Photo Contest Winners!

We're thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Biennial Wissahickon Photo Contest! It was difficult to decide who would take home these titles, but with the help of our esteemed judges, we narrowed it down to a select few photographers.

Thank you to everyone who submitted to the contest- your photographs will help FOW better articulate the unique magic of the park and all its hard to reach corners and secret spots. Keep an eye out, even if you did not submit a winning photo, you might just see your submission on our Facebook or Instagram (with photo credit, of course).

Without further ado (in order of appearance)...

Best in Show:
Bill McGeeney, "Starry Night Hermitage"

Phone Submission:
Tim Ehlenbeck, "Wind gusts blowing fresh snow off the trees"

Winter:
Amber Johnston, "The Bridge"

Spring:
Jacqueline Burke, "In a Flurry"

Summer:
Bryce Poirot, "Valley Green Inn / Mushrooms"

Fall:
Brent Jones, "Reflections at Walnut Lane"

People's Choice:
Will Thompson, "Autumn Vibes on Lincoln Drive"

Woodmere Art Museum Wissahickon Trails

10/28/2026

We're back with another highlight from your FOW Field Team!

Hey there, ghouls and goblins. Halloween is this Saturday! Before you head out in the evening for trick or treating or spooky shenanigans, we invite you to join us for our annual Halloween Planting!

We will be planting native trees and shrubs at the haunted Hermitage Mansion. No experience needed! We provide the gloves, tools, plants, and instruction. You just have to show up. Costumes are highly recommended, but not required. This year’s costume theme is: 250 Years of Philly Jawn! Come dressed as a person, place, or thing from the last 250 years of Philadelphia history.

Register here! https://fow.org/event/halloween-planting-at-hermitage-mansion/

10/26/2026

Here it comes! 🕵️

10/26/2026

👻 Think you saw a cloud of tiny, dancing ghosts this ? It was probably woolly beech aphids! Covered in white, fluffy, wool-like filament, the woolly beech aphid tends to congregate in groups. And while it does look like they’re grooving to the monster mash 🎶, their dancing behavior is actually a defensive behavior they employ when they are disturbed to try to scare off predators.