Philadelphia, PA—July 2012—The Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) has been awarded grants from
REI and the McLean Contributionship for two Sustainable Trails Initiative (STI) projects. STI is a multi-year project to make the 50 miles of National Recreation
Trails in Wissahickon Valley Park a physically and socially sustainable system that works for all park users.

The REI grant of $15,000 will fund work at Kitchen’s Lane, where FOW will close twodangerous, rapidly eroding sections of trail totaling 800 feet. These closures
will be replaced with 700 feet of new trails that are more sustainable and encourage proper use of the trail. In addition, FOW will restore approximately 1.75 acres
of habitat through native plantings and invasive plant removal.

The grant from the McLean Contributionship in the amount of $25,000 will support the installation of a large back porch with a living green roof at the Wissahickon Environmental Center (WEC). This project is part of Stage
4 of the Sustainable Trails Initiative, in which FOW will restore and enhance the WEC building, also known as the Tree House, and its immediate grounds, and rehabilitate and restore 3.3 miles of adjacent trails used as an outdoor classroom.

About REI

REI is a national outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating, and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through volunteerism, gear donations, and financial contributions.
For more information, visit www.rei.com.

About the McLean Contributionship

The McLean Contributionship supports projects primarily in
the Greater Philadelphia area that: stimulate a better understanding of the natural environment, and encourage the preservation of its important features; encourage
more compassionate and cost-effective care for the ill and aging, in an atmosphere of dignity and self-respect; and promote education, or medical, scientific, or on occasion, cultural developments enhancing the quality of life. For more information, visit www.foundationcenter.org/grantmaker/mclean.

About Friends of the Wissahickon

The Friends of the Wissahickon, founded in 1924, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Wissahickon Valley. FOW works in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation to restore historical structures throughout
the park, eliminate invasive plant species, monitor watershed management issues, and restore trails throughout the Wissahickon Valley Park with its
Sustainable Trails Initiative. Follow FOW on Facebook and Twitter. For more information or to become a member, visit www.fow.org.

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