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Rebuilding Nature Thanks to the efforts of some scientists and a whole lot of volunteers, Philadelphia will continue to have a place where parents and children can picnic, throw the frisbee and relax in a natural environment. Restoration efforts are currently underway at East and West Fairmount Park, a result of a $26 million grant from the William Penn Foundation and the work of the National Lands Restoration and Environmental Education Program (NLREEP). The Fairmount Park Commission anticipates that the entire project will take five years. Tons of soil and seedlings have been transported to the park to replant previously deforested areas, and volunteers have already planted over 560 native hardwood trees and shrubs. The most significant problem currently facing the park is the overpopulation of deer, and their effect on the park's plantlife. According to the Natural Resource Consultants, a national ecology firm that has done research in the area, there are six times as many deer in the park as are needed for a balanced ecosystem, and the population is increasing. Consequently, the overpopulation is affecting the environment adversely. The deer not only eat most of the plants and shrubs in the area but also impede the planting of new trees. Eight-foot high fencing has been erected around large sections of the park to protect the trees. Researchers are also discussing the possibility of instituting birth control amongst the deer by introducing certain plants into their environment.

Restoration Continues Scientists and 700 Philadelphia area students recently had the opportunity to participate in the restoration project through BioBlitz '98, a 24-hour search and catalogue of the estimated 2000 species present in the park. "BioBlitz is simply a fun way of doing necessary scientific research," said Nancy Goldenberg, program administrator for NLREEP. Scientists from the Academy of Natural Sciences had been working throughout the 8700-acre park system for months to precisely describe the environmental conditions of the area, and BioBlitz was the culmination of that work. So what did they find? Well, certain non-native plants are stifling native ones, prompting volunteers to remove such plants from the environment. In addition, certain plants are going to be introduced into the area in order to give the park splashes of color amidst a sea of green. Good news about the streams: the experts say water quality is well above standards and very healthy. In the meantime, restoration efforts will continue for another three years, as the mass of volunteers grows. WHYY has recently added its name to that list. In an effort to help the park satisfy its educational, archival, and public information needs, WHYY has agreed to place a full-time producer at the Fairmount Park Commission headquarters. Leslye Mogford has been hired to produce a number of video projects both for the park and TV12, including short environmental spots to air in conjunction with TV12's children's programs, and educational videos for showing in the park's education centers. While the restorations will not be complete until the new millennium, Fairmount Park continues to be a great resource for members of the Philadelphia community. In particular, the park provides families with an opportunity to relax in a peaceful setting and appreciate the beauty of nature, while enjoying a picnic with loved ones. Take advantage of your park today! Joshua Schwartz