Habitat Restoration

Overview

DRN is committed to restoring habitat within the Delaware River Basin and improving management practices to guard against habitat degradation. Our Restoration Program, established in 1992, provides technical assistance to and partners with municipalities, agencies, local conservation groups, and private property owners to develop watershed and restoration plans and to implement in-the-ground projects. These planning efforts and constructed projects increase wildlife habitat value, improve stream function and transport, encourage infiltration of stormwater, restore native plant communities, and are neighborhood assets.

DRN’s Restoration Program implements innovative, cost-efficient, ecologically-sound projects that incorporate a myriad of techniques, including:

• Natural channel design
• Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• Soil bioengineering
• Native plant establishment
• Invasive species management and control
• Aquatic habitat enhancement
• Wetland restoration
• Stream and watershed assessment

Habitat Restoration Map

Current Projects

Delaware Estuary Technical Assistance Program (DE, NJ, PA)
DRN provides technical assistance to landowners, municipalities, and watershed organizations working to implement restoration and conservation projects throughout the Delaware Estuary. Activities may include invasive species mapping and management, watershed restoration planning, stream assessments, land use management recommendations, native plantings, wetland restoration, bank stabilization, and in-stream fish habitat enhancement. Project is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with matching sources.

Mill Creek Restoration (Berks County, PA)
DRN, with project partners and the property owner, is restoring 1,350 linear feet of Mill Creek in Berks County, PA which has been damaged by agricultural use. The constructed project will involve soil bioengineering techniques, natural channel design principles, stream fencing, cattle crossings, and establishment of a diverse, wooded riparian buffer. Project is funded through the Schuylkill River Greenway Association with matching sources.

Radnor Township Stormwater Management and Woodland Restoration (Delaware County, PA)
DRN, with project partners and Radnor Township, is developing a plan to manage stormwater and ecologically enhance a 7-acre woodland. Designed measures will meet the community's need for stormwater management, woodland and wetland restoration, wildlife observation, and passive recreation. Project is funded by the township with matching sources.

Tinicum Creek Restoration (Bucks County, PA)
DRN, with project partners and the property owners, is developing a holistic restoration design to stabilize and improve trout habitat in a half mile of this Exceptional Value, National Wild and Scenic stream. This work builds upon previous studies of the Upper Tinicum Creek watershed completed by DRN. Project is funded by PA DEP with matching sources.

Saddler’s Woods Stormwater Management (Camden County, NJ)
DRN, with its partners, is designing and constructing an innovative stormwater management system to control stormwater entering Saddlers Woods, a preserved 25-acre woodland in Haddon Township NJ with historical significance. Under existing conditions, elevated levels of stormwater runoff are resulting in the instability of the headwater streams flowing through Saddlers Woods. Project is funded by NJ DEP with matching sources.

Swamp Creek Restoration at the Erwinna Covered Bridge (Bucks County, PA)
DRN, with project partners and the property owners, is restoring 1,000 linear feet of Swamp Creek at the Erwinna Covered Bridge in Bucks County, PA. Using natural channel design principles a design will be implemented to restore the channel’s proper dimension, pattern and profile, as well as to improve its approach to the historic covered bridge. Soil bioengineering techniques will be used to stabilize stream banks and to establish a diverse riparian corridor. Project is funded by PA DEP through the Growing Greener Program with matching sources.

West Branch Crum Creek Coldwater Conservation Plan (Chester County, PA)
DRN, with project partners, is assessing the Exceptional Value West Branch of Crum Creek and developing a comprehensive Coldwater Conservation Plan to protect and enhance the stream’s nature and its wild brown trout population. The plan identifies site-specific recommendations and watershed-wide programs to be implemented by the township, local organizations, and property owners. Project is funded by the Coldwater Heritage Partnership with matching sources.

Don’t see us working in your neighbohood? Have a stream or stormwater problem? We may be able to help. Contact us at emma@delwareriverkeeper.org or 215.369.1188 ext:112.