EarthFest 2007 Main Page >>
Main Stage Schedule 2007 >>

Sponsors: Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Planning Association, Prudential Financial, Rohm and Haas - Spring House Technical Center, Upper Dublin Township

Media Partners: Montgomery Newspapers, CN8, The Comcast Network

Host/Emcee: Justin Lock, CN8 Meteorologist, "Your Morning"

This page will be continually updated prior to EarthFest. 
Check back often for updates.

Academy of Natural Sciences
At EarthFest 2007, the Academy will present various insects and arthropods, fostering an appreciation in these amazing creatures and dispelling many of the myths surrounding them. Sponsored by the Phi Kappa Chi chapter of the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity.

Adventure Aquarium
A full three quarters of the Earth is covered with water. Do you know just what goes on beneath those waves? Learn about all of the fun and exciting events and activities taking place at Adventure Aquarium on the Camden waterfront! Go "fishing," get hands-on with the touch tanks, and enter a drawing to win free tickets to the Aquarium!

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
The Wildflower Preserve is the premier destination for seeing and learning about the native plants of Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley Region. Visit the exhibit to play the "pollinator beanbag toss" and learn how native plants and pollinators depend on each other. Information about school tours and other programs will also be available.

Briar Bush Nature Center
Briar Bush Nature Center will explore "The Forest Habitat" through forest artifacts - skulls, leaves, twigs, and nuts - that visitors can handle and lear about. Their educator will also interpret forest ecology and protecting nature wildlife with Eastern Box Turtles. Located in Abington Township, the 12-acre Briar Bush Nature Center includes trails that pass by a windmill-fed pond, the Griscom Bird Observatory, native wildflower gardens, woodlands and meadows.

Center for Sustainable Communities at Temple University Ambler
Event host the Center for Sustainable Communities will showcase some of its completed and ongoing projects with the help of Geographic Information Systems maps, posters, reports, and handouts. The Center for Sustainable Communities was established to develop and promote new approaches to protect and preserve quality of life through sustainable development, balancing the relationship between environmental integrity, economic prosperity, and social equity. A working resource for government agencies, community organizations, and developers, the Center provides objective information and services to improve decision-making relative to land use and water resources planning in addition to conducting interdisciplinary research and offering educational and community outreach programs. 

Churchville Nature Center
The mission of the Churchville Nature Center is to instill an awareness and appreciation of the natural world in all people through education, and to encourage responsible environmental stewardship with a commitment to the preservation of resources and wildlife habitat. Facilities include a visitor center housing interpretive exhibits, a gift shop and both indoor and outdoor wildlife viewing areas. Visit a re-created Lenape Indian Village or take a stroll through our Memorial Wildlife Gardens. A full range of environmental programs are offered for school classes as well as scout groups. Public programs include bird walks, campfire programs, children's clubs and a wide variety of outings and field trips.

Clean Air Council
The Clean Air Council will be promoting wind energy in the region, the Philadelphia Diesel Difference diesel emission reduction program, and recycling. Clean Air Council is a member-supported, non-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting everyone's right to breathe clean air. The Council works through public education, community advocacy, and government oversight to ensure enforcement of environmental laws.

Clean Water Action of PA
Display information on past and current environmental legislation including storm water runoff, pesticide notification act, the bucket brigade and community organizing. Guests will be able to participate in a letter writing campaign to keep laws strong.

Club Veg - Vegetarian Education Group
Club Veg will share information on the environmental impact of food choices. Club Veg's mission is to educate the public, health care professionals, and health organizations about the benefits of a healthy vegetarian lifestyle.

Community Energy
Community Energy will share information about wind power, the wind energy industry, and the PECO Wind Program. Community Energy is committed to supplying the demand for clean, fuel-free energy. Temple University Ambler purchases a percentage of wind power energy for the campus through the PECO Wind program.

Delaware Canal State Park
Wildlife exhibit, quiz and parks information. The Delaware Canal is the only remaining continuously intact canal of the great towpath canal building era of the early and mid-19th century. The 60-mile-long park, established in 1940, is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Delaware Valley Earth Force
Come learn about how human actions impact the environment with this interactive exhibit on watersheds. Visitors will have the opportunity to manipulate a watershed model and discover what they can do to help curb water pollution.

Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
The DVRPC's display will provide brochures and important information on improving air quality in the region. The DVRPC is a contributing sponsor for EarthFest 2006. 

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Staff from the Department of Environmental Protection's southeast regional office will be on hand to distribute environmental education information and answer questions from EarthFest participants. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is the state agency largely responsible for administering Pennsylvania's environmental laws and regulations. Its responsibilities include: reducing air pollution; making sure our drinking water is safe; protecting water quality in our rivers and streams; making sure waste is handled properly; supporting community renewal and revitalization; promoting advanced energy technology; and helping citizens prevent pollution and comply with the Commonwealth's environmental regulations. DEP is committed to general environmental education and encouraging effective public involvement in setting environmental policy.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will share information about healthy habitats, providing materials on fishing and boating and ways to keep our aquatic resources healthy. Commission representatives will also talk about and show examples of macroinvertebrates and how they are important for fish. The PFBC's mission is to provide fishing and boating opportunities through the protection and management of aquatic resources.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society - Gold Medal Plant Awards Program and Tree Vitalize
In addition to partnering with Temple University Ambler to present EarthFest 2007 and the Kids Grow Expo, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will present a joint display highlighting the Gold Medal Plant Award program and the Tree Vitalize citizen's campaign, which offers homeowners a rebate to plant a tree. The display will include brochures and signage with some plants to view and purchase as well.

Pennsylvania Planning Association
The Pennsylvania Planning Association's exhibit will explain planning in Pennsylvania and its relationship to environment and sustainability, including sprawl, open space preservation, and redevelopment. The Pennsylvania Planning Association (PPA) is a chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). PPA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for professional planners and planning officials, as well as other organizations and individuals interested in planning. Approximately 1,300 members strong, PPA works to promote planning at all levels of the Commonwealth through workshops, meetings, an annual conference, legislative monitoring, and public awareness efforts. PPA members participate with various groups with shared values and goals.

Pennsylvania Resources Council
The PRC's Litter Bug mascot will be on hand to greet visitors and share important information about preserving Pennsylvania's natural resources! A nonprofit citizens’ action organization founded in 1939, PRC serves as a vital link between industry, government, and grass-roots organizations — initiating dialogue between these groups to seek solutions to environmental problems.

Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust
The Pennypack Trust’s display will feature an assortment of techniques for restoring forests and ecosystems and will include a variety of native plants grown at the 720-acre reserve by volunteers. The mission of the Trust and its membership is to protect, restore and preserve the lands of the central Pennypack Creek valley so that they remain an enhancement to the quality of visitors' lives, a vibrant and diverse natural landscape supporting native plant and animal life, and become the standard of excellence for innovative restoration and stewardship practices to be shared with other individuals and organizations joined in common commitment to the environment.

Pennypack Farm Education Center
Pennypack Farm will present "Dirt Made My Lunch." The exhibit will explore "What is healthy soil?" the effects of pesticides and herbicides on soil life, underground vegetables, parts of plants we eat, and how sustainable agriculture restores soil fertility. Pennypack Farm is a charitable, non-profit educational organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of the health, economic, ecological and social issues involved in sustainable local food systems.

Philadelphia Outward Bound Center
Philadelphia Outward Bound will share general information about the organization. Outward Bound uses outdoor activities and the wilderness to teach group and leadership skills, self-discipline, and self-reliance. All courses teach “leave no trace” wilderness techniques.

Philadelphia Water Department (Office of Watersheds)
The Department will share information on natural and urban watersheds, watershed partnerships, and river conservation plans to help us improve our water quality and green our land. The exhibit will also include a watershed model and a macro invertebrate identification exercise titled “Good vs. Bad Bugs” to demonstrate how insects are tools in determining water quality health.

Philadelphia Zoo
Be a part of the Zoo on Wheels! This interactive program focuses on the most fascinating creatures found in the United States and highlights how to protect the animals that share out home. America’s first Zoo and one of the region’s foremost conservation organizations, the Philadelphia Zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. The Zoo, fulfilling its mission of conservation, science, education and recreation, supports and engages in conservation efforts to protect endangered species around the world.

Plant Ambler
Plant Ambler is a community beautification effort staffed entirely by volunteers and supported by donations. Volunteers have been providing displays such as spring pansies, fall mums and winter greens throughout the borough since 1973. The staff experts are always willing to share knowledge about gardening with the “green” newcomers. If you would like to help them make Ambler a more attractive place to live and work by donating your time or money, you can call them at 215-643-4929.

Riverbend Environmental Education Center
Through the stories of some of Riverbend's live animals, we will explore the importance of a native habitat. Information on native versus invasive species will help everyone to understand the interconnectedness of all living things.

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education (SCEE) will be partnering with students from Green Woods Charter School in Philadelphia to offer an environmental education activity for children. Their interactive presentation will engage students and teachers in "What can you do to protect a stream." The display will also include a survey to determine what service projects student would be interested in completing.

Sierra Club of Southeastern Pennsylvania
The Sierra Club of Southeastern Pennsylvania will present "Bottled Water: Myths & Facts," stressing the dangers of using plastic water packaging and the negative environmental and economic costs. The Sierra Club will also have "Mount Plast-more" on hand, an 8-feet wide by 8-feet tall sculpture of plastic water bottles.

Sun & Earth, Inc.
Sun and Earth, Inc. will share samples of the company's environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaning product. Sun & Earth provides consumers with powerful natural cleaning and laundry detergent or laundry products that are gentle on the Earth.

The Sustainability Council
Student members of the Sustainability Council will lead visitors in building sculptures using recyclable materials.

Temple University Ambler Admissions
Temple University Ambler is often called the “best of both worlds.” Students enjoy the benefits of attending a small residential campus, while having all of the resources of a large research university at their fingertips. Philly is just down the road and the local communities have so much to offer! So does Ambler - start 100 Temple programs and finish 21 bachelor's degree and eight master's degree programs all right here. There's also certificate and
pre-professional programs and class offerings at convenient times for working adults. Vibrant student life, a brand new Learning Center, and a dedication to student-centered learning. Find out what the best of both worlds has in store for you!

Temple University Ambler Bookstore  
The Temple University Ambler Bookstore will have a variety of books related to the environment, the natural world, smart growth, and sustainable concepts at EarthFest 2007.

Temple University Ambler Computer Recycling Center
Temple will provide information on its Computer Recycling Program, which involves recycling computer parts to promote a healthier environment.

Temple University Ambler Department of Community and Regional Planning
The Department of Community and Regional Planning will showcase selected student projects and provide information about the program and courses focusing on sustainability and environmental issues.

Temple University Ambler Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture
Students from Temple University Ambler's Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture will present a display highlighting the department's Best of Show-winning 2007 Philadelphia Flower Show exhibit, "Tírdhreach Fileata na hÉireann — The Poetic Landscape of Ireland." The exhibit explored the indelible connection between Ireland’s oral traditions and its diverse landscape.

Temple University Ambler Summer Education Camps
Kids on Campus! Teens on Campus!
Temple University Ambler and Fort Washington are proud to offer Summer Education Camps for the 18^th consecutive year. Camps are available for kids, tweens and teens between the ages of 8 and 17. We are pleased to offer several “green” camps this summer. Calling All Green Thumbs for kids ages 8 to 12 will be offered as a one-week camp, July 30 to August 3 from
1 to 4 p.m.. Also, Exploring Green Careers for youths ages 13 to 17 is scheduled for July 16 to 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. In addition, we offer a variety of other camps such as Robotics, Digital Photography, Creative Writing, Harry Potter, Computer Gaming, Cartooning and much more! For the 8 to 12 year old who needs a “jumpstart” on the upcoming school year, we offer a series of “Jumpstart” Skills Building Camps where campers will pump up their reading, writing and math skills. For more information on the Summer Education Camps at Temple University Ambler and Fort Washington, call us at 267-468-8500.

Temple University Athletics
Temple Athletics promotes a healthy lifestyle for children by encouraging participation in sports and other outdoor activities through the Owlsports summer camps and Hooter’s Junior Owl Kids Club. Temple University mascots Hooter and Baby Owl will also promote healthy lifestyles with visitors to EarthFest 2007!

Temple University Center for Obesity Research and Education (CORE)
Healthcare is an important part of community sustainability. CORE will present information about the Center. Representatives will also discuss health, fitness, and CORE projects.

Temple University Dining Services/Sodexho
A variety of food and beverages will be available for sale at EarthFest courtesy of Temple University Dining Services.  

Temple’s Environmental Studies Program
Environmental Studies at Temple is an interdisciplinary program, offered jointly by the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science and Technology. Degrees can be completed at both the Ambler and Main campuses. Students majoring in Environmental Studies will be equipped with the scholarly background and intellectual skills to understand a wide range of pressing environmental issues, and they will come to appreciate the physical, economic, political, demographic, and ethical factors that define those issues. Among the many environmental problems central to our program are groundwater contamination, suburban sprawl, river basin management, environmental justice, and the greening of abandoned urban spaces.

Temple University Infant Lab
The Temple University Infant Lab, located at the Ambler Campus, will provide information about its research and the implications fro child cognitive development. The Infant lab will additionally poll parents about their motivation to purchase construction toys.

Temple University Recycling Department
Learn about recycling and take home valuable information about how you can recycle at home!

Temple University Ambler Student Organizations
The student organizations of Temple University Ambler have joined together to provide fun, educational programs for students of all ages:

• Alpha Chi Rho — The Phi Kappa Chi Chapter of Alpha Chi Rho will lead EarthFest visitors in an environmental art project, promoting recycling and environmental awareness through drawings - using paper recycled from the campus computer lab - that they will be able to take home.

• American Marketing Association - In addition to providing a interactive program for young visitors, the American Marketing Association will help promote "GreenFest Philly 2007," an environmental festival that will be held in Philadelphia in September.

• Gamers Anonymous - The Gamers Anonymous Student Organization will present "Veggie Monsters." Children will have the opportunity to create "monsters" from pre-sliced pieces of fruits and vegetables in a fun, hands-on activity that promotes healthy eating habits.

• Gamma Sigma Sigma Sorority — The sisters of the Gamma Sigma Sigma sorority will teach students how to place plants in planters, which the students will decorate. The hand decorated planters will be donated to an area assisted living home. 

• Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Student Association/
  Pi Alpha Xi — The Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Student Association and the Ambler campus chapter of Pi Alpha Xi, the national honor society for students of Floriculture, Landscape, and Ornamental Horticulture, will provide a hands-on lesson in horticulture as they help our student visitors pot a plant of their own to take home in personalized containers.

• Owlreach - Owlreach, a student organization dedicated to community service, in conjunction with the Department of Community and Regional Planning and the Center for Sustainable Communities, will provide fun, interactive activities that will explore recycling and serve as "mini case studies" for the effectiveness and necessity of proper signage and receptacles to ensure the success of recycling programs.

• Pi Phi Sorority — Take a little piece of nature home with you. The Pi Phi social/service sorority and the Criminal Justice Society student organization will show students how to make decorative leaf rubbings in addition to helping create colorful pet rocks. Name them yourself and put them on display!

• Sigma Chi Delta Sorority — The sorority will lead students in an environmental craft project, creating pinecone birdfeeders with the help of peanut butter.

• Society for Exceptional Educators  — The Society for Exceptional Educators will provide young visitors with a wide variety of opportunities to learn how they can become good environmental citizens. Organizations members will lead participants in several craft projects, including art made from recycled objects, flower planting, and "Earth Day grocery bags." Students will have the opportunity to decorate grocery bags with positive Earth Day-themed messages. The bags will in turn be given out to grocery store customers in the region to spread the students' positive environmental messages throughout the community.

• Temple University Ambler Planning Society - Community and Regional Planning students will offer interactive games for elementary, middle, and high school students, including GIS mapping, building a neighborhood, planning a date using GIS!

• Temple University Ambler Program Board — Student members of the campus Program Board will help visitors explore the world of insects and animals with artistic crafts using stamps and paint.

• Temple University Ambler Student Government Association — Open the gateway to sustainability with the Student Government Association's "Recycling Center," a series of interactive games to teach children that recycling is not just important, it can be fun too!

Upper Dublin Environmental Protection Advisory Board (EPAB)
The Upper Dublin EPAB will present water resource pamphlets created by Upper Dublin High school students in addition to demonstrating proper disposal of hazardous materials and distributing samples of township leaf compost.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
Through games and demonstrations, EarthFest participants will become a migrating bird and travel through different countries. Will you be successful enough to have a nest full of young? Visitors will also learn about backyard habitats. Since its establishment in 1972, the Refuge has worked with local students and teachers in the surrounding school districts to provide environmental education. Its programs focus on providing teachers the information and skills they need to use the Refuge as their outdoor classroom. Over 6,000 students participate in field trips at the Refuge each year. Whether it's a pond study, tree identification, or poetry, the Refuge's surroundings provide a perfect setting to discover and learn about the outdoors.