Doylestown, Creek Restoration

Assisting Mt. Airy based ecological landscape design company Native Realm, Mosaic Landscape Restoration was fortunate to be a part of this large, ecologically influential project involving a private stretch of creek and stream bank. The creek, like many others in the Philadelphia area, was heavily eroded from handling excessive storm water runoff. The slopes of the banks were shear and cliff-like, minimizing possible habitat and plant life adjacent to the creek. 

Native Realm's comprehensive and detailed plan called for multiple stretches of crib facing (a heavy duty and long lasting form of erosion control consisting of log timbers to protect the banks). In addition to crib facing, multiple kinds of erosion control fabric were expertly installed at strategic points of the creek, as well as log sills, used to slow and spread the flow of water during storm events. 

Thus, the finished product is a combination of many different natural materials and restoration elements that together will help to enhance wildlife habitat and protect the water quality of the creek for years to come.  

McKinely Elementary School Stream Bank Restoration

'A Tookany Tacony Frankford Watershed Partnership Project'

McKinely Elementary School located in Elkins Park PA, just outside Philly, is home to an extensive run of stream bank that borders the schools athletic fields. Not only does the stream handle large amounts of runoff during strong storms, leading to erosion, but the surrounding small woodland is riddled with choking vines and other invasive plant species. 

Again working in tandem with a passionate and experienced landscape designer and restorationist, this time Kevin Reis, founder of NativeScapes, Mosaic worked to restore two 50 foot sections of eroded stream bank. Additionally the team expanded an existing vernal pool (a large water holding natural feature of the stream) to collect even more storm water. The expanded vernal pool is now a marked ecological focal point that students can access to learn about restoration and habitat creation. 

Large amounts of invasive plant species were removed from the woodland as well, replaced with native trees and shrubs. Now, the woodland and stream are more accessible, shining even more of a light on the wonderful restoration being accomplished here. 

(click any photo to enlarge)