Meet the Team
This community science project was created as a deeply collaborative project between organizations and communities with a shared vision: to better understand the threats and strengths of the Darby and Cobbs Creek watersheds. Learn more about the organizations and individuals who are working together below!
Our Team Members
Lauren has been with WCT's Watershed Program since 2017 and a board member with the Darby Creek Valley Association since 2021.
Lauren McGrath, Director of Watershed Protection Program, Willistown Conservation Trust
Our Member Organizations
Founded in 1984, DCVA is a nonprofit watershed organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in and around the Darby Creek watershed by restoring and protecting its natural, historical, and cultural resources. DCVA has worked energetically to support the protection of historic properties, such as the Swedish Cabin and Blue Bell Inn, and has as its ultimate goal the development of a 30-mile greenway system to serve this Watershed’s many highly urbanized communities. DCVA continues to work energetically with public and private schools, the Delaware County library system, the Delaware County Environmental Network, the Philadelphia Water Department and the Darby-Cobbs Partnership, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary(formerly Delaware Estuary Program), the Delaware County Historical Society, the Stroud Water Research Center, the Philadelphia Water Department (“PWD”), and Aqua Pennsylvania(formerly known as Philadelphia Suburban Water Company). Learn more about DCVA's vision for Darby Creek here!
Found 20 miles west of Philadelphia, Willistown Conservation Trust saves, studies, and shares land, water, and habitat. The environmental nonprofit focuses on 28,000 acres within the watersheds of Ridley, Crum, and Darby Creeks of Chester and Delaware Counties, and on the ancestral lands of the Lenni Lenape. Since 1996, WCT has helped to permanently conserve over 7,500 acres, including three nature preserves open to the public: Ashbridge Preserve, Kirkwood Preserve, and Rushton Woods Preserve, which is home to Rushton Conservation Center and Rushton Farm. The Trust offers six core activities for public engagement and research: the Bird Conservation, Community Farm, Education and Outreach, Land Protection, Land Stewardship, and Watershed Protection Programs.
WCT's goal is to Save, Study, and Share Land, Water, and Habitat.
Stroud Water Research Center seeks to advance knowledge and stewardship of freshwater systems through global research, education, and watershed restoration. Since 1967, Stroud Water Research Center has been leading the effort to produce innovative solutions for preserving and restoring fresh water.
Stroud has been supporting the DCCS project since it's inception, providing guidance on the study design and engaging volunteers.
Our Funders
This project has been made possible through a grant from the William Penn Foundation. The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region through efforts that increase educational opportunities for children from low-income families, ensure a sustainable environment, foster creativity that enhances civic life, and advance philanthropy in the Philadelphia region.
This project was funded in part by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Healing the Planet Grant Program with support from The GIANT Company. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. Our Mission is empowering Pennsylvanians to keep our communities clean and beautiful. Our Vision is a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s core programming focuses on improving communities. Their programs aim to prevent litter and illegal dumping, clean and green communities, promote and provide for the proper handling of waste and hard to recycle items, educate youth and the general public about litter, waste and recycling, and foster community stewardship through volunteer engagement and recognition. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has a presence in all of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania and works with many partnering organizations on the state and grassroots level to accomplish a shared goal of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania.
4Imprint one by one Grant
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In 2024, the DCCCS Program was awarded $500 to support purchasing volunteer hats by the 4Imprint one by one grant. This generous funding supported the purchase of hats for all current volunteers!
Our Sponsors
Whirl-Pak
Whirl-Pak specializes in sterile collection and transport products that help you analyze the safety and composition of food, water, environmental, veterinary, and pharmaceutical samples. Whirl-Pak has generously supplied bags for chloride strips to be sent to all volunteers, free of cost!