Growing a Stronger Watershed: DCVA’s Tree Plantings and Upcoming Events

Over the past year, the Darby Creek Valley Association has been hard at work planting trees, restoring riparian buffers, and strengthening the health of our watershed. From Havertown to Prospect Park, hundreds of new trees now grace our parks, trails, and creekside areas—each one helping to improve water quality, support wildlife, and build more resilient neighborhoods.

Trees in the Ground: A Year of Accomplishments

Our tree planting efforts show what can be achieved with consistent effort and strong partnerships:

• Waterford Apartments, Havertown – 50 trees planted this spring to add shade and improve the creekside buffer.

• Darby Creek Trail, Havertown – 45 trees expanded the riparian corridor along this popular community trail.

• Prospect Park Earth Day Planting (2025) – In partnership with Prospect Park Borough and the Delaware County Conservation District, 90 trees were planted to celebrate Earth Day.

• Moore’s Lake Park, Prospect Park (Fall 2024) – 170 trees added in collaboration with the borough and Conservation District, enhancing the park’s ecosystem and resilience.

Looking ahead, DCVA is preparing to plant 500 trees in Ridley Township this fall, our most ambitious project yet. In November 2025, we’ll return to Prospect Park for another large planting and add new trees to DCVA’s Folcroft property, a site that serves as both a natural buffer and an outdoor learning space for the community.

Our annual Fall Creek Cleanup is also on the horizon—a day when volunteers help remove trash and debris from creeks, parks, and public spaces across the watershed.

Caring for What We Plant

Planting trees is only the beginning. To ensure success, DCVA maintains the areas we restore. Along the Darby Creek Trail in Havertown, we have adopted the site and host monthly volunteer days to care for the buffers originally planted by the Haverford Township Parks and Recreation Department Conservation Team.

During these workdays, volunteers remove invasive plants, check tree shelters, and install new saplings where needed. This regular care gives young trees the best chance to thrive and allows us to watch the trail transform over time—from bare ground into a living corridor of shade and habitat.

Why Riparian Buffers Matter

Riparian buffers—strips of trees and vegetation along streambanks—are one of the most effective ways to protect water quality. They:

• Slow and filter runoff from streets, roofs, and lawns, reducing pollutants entering the creek.

• Stabilize streambanks to prevent erosion.

• Provide shade to keep streams cool for fish and other aquatic life.

• Create habitat for birds and pollinators.

• Absorb stormwater during heavy rains, reducing flood risks.

Every new tree contributes to this system. Sycamores, river birches, and other species may seem small, but together they form a natural network that protects Darby Creek and the surrounding community.

Wetland Rehabilitation
By Derron LaBrake

DCVA is assisting the Sacred Heart Academy in Bryn Mawr in developing a plan for rehabilitating a large (about three acres) wetland on their property that has been mostly taken over by non-native invasive plants. This large wetland has tremendous potential for being a beautiful wetland once the invasive plants have been removed and the natives are allowed to regain their previous stature.

This effort was started by the vision of Michael Kearney (Chairman, Building and Grounds Committee), who recognized that the school might have something special. Wetland scientists from both the US Army Corps of Engineers and DCVA have visited the wetland and agree that this wetland is going to need a little help to restore it to their former glory and make it a community asset. Both DCVA and Michael are up to organizing the task.

A meeting was held on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 7:00 PM at Sacred Heart, where we began forming our rehabilitation plan. Two of DCVA’s Board Members, Derron LaBrake and Clyde Hunt spoke to those assembled about how to go about rehabilitating this wetland. For frame of reference, the wetlands are in the floodplain of Meadowbrook Run, which flows along South Bryn Mawr Avenue, in Radnor Township. Meadow-brook Run is a major tributary of Ithan Creek, which is an important tributary of Darby Creek.

If you or anyone you know may be interested in helping out with this effort please contact Aurora Dizel at admin@dcva.org. It’s going to take the combined effort of a community to rehabilitate this important wetland.

Article : https://patch.com/pennsylvania/brynmawr/sacred-heart-academy-bryn-mawr-gets-new-native-trees-planted