Projects
Riparian buffer development and maintenance Invasive species management
Tree planting Stewardship
Stream health Education and Outreach Stream Cleanuo
LLWS act to preserve and protect our watershed.
2025: Major Accomplishments
Lead 2 stream cleanups activities, picking up close to 300 bags of garbage
Co-lead two tree plantings, teaming with Wildlands Conservancy, resulting in over 200 native trees put in the ground at Cedar Beach
Conducted a live stake planting, placing 300 live stakes in the ground along the Little Lehigh Creek
Lead 2 Knotweed Knockdowns campaigns (one in South Whitehall and one in Allentown) to help eradicate this invasive weed species
Conducted semi-annual tree maintenance activities (bushhogging invasive weeds, staking trees, and repairing tree tubes) at several newly planted locations, to prevent deer and vole damage to the young trees
Led two water quality activities (Salt Snapshot) collecting 95 samples for chloride and sodium analysis from streams feeding the Little Lehigh river - see how our results have contributed to the Salt research at Stroud Water Research Center - link to report
Created of a Statewide Road Salt Action working group with 70 plus members in 20 counties and 2000 contacts through meetings, presentation, and phone conversations.
Hosted (in conjunction with Lehigh County Conservation District) a “Waterway On Wheels” bike ride event, a first of its kind in the County
Coordinated educational presentations on rain gardens, invasive crawfish, plastic “nurdle” pollution in our waterways
Conducted two tabling events at community functions, sharing watershed knowledge with the community
We engaged over 200 people throughout the community in the execution of these projects
2026 Planned Projects
March 21 - Stream cleanup (time / location TBD)
April 11 (9:00a) - Tree planting at Cedar Beach Park in Allentown
May 7 - Educational outreach at Hydromania
2024: Major Accomplishments
260 Trees and Bushes Planted at several sites
2700 pounds of Trash removed from multiple creek sites
92 water sampling locations evaluated for salt
2 truckloads of knotweed cut and collected
400 student interactions
Earthday Education Event on Plastics in Waterways
Gave needed TLC to last year’s plantings
Gave Multiple Presentations on effects of excess road salting
Trash Cleanups
The battle with carelessly tossed food trash and intentionally tossed bulk trash continues. Cleanups are organized for early spring and late fall. Join us as an individual or a group!
Also we are always looking for cleanup locations. Reach out to suggest areas within the watershed, which are in need.
Tree Plantings
Planting trees and shrubs improves wildlife habitat and water quality in our creeks by filtering pollutants and cooling water temperatures. We plant trees in the spring and fall each year.
Water Testing
Winter road salt, fertilizers, pesticides and sediment are carried to streams by rainwater and groundwater. Water testing quantifies and locates the impacts.
Contact us for a winter road salt monitoring kit or join our late summer sampling effort.
Learn More on our Salt Page, under Education.
Education
The next generation of environmental stewards are in our schools today. Our goal is to connect in fun and positive ways. Our education committee plans to host a watershed day in September and we are looking for partner organizations and volunteers with ideas and time.
Knotweed is one of several invasive species attacking our creek sides. Each June we work with local governments to fight back. Its a great way to work hard for a good cause. Where else can you swing a machete with a few friends?
Knotweed Knockdown
Tree knocked down by a buck
Tree damaged by buck rubbing
Tree Maintenance
LLWS commit to checking in on the trees we plant for their first 3-5 years. Young trees are preyed on by many animals. 4-10’ high trees are knocked over and de-barked by bucks rubbing their antlers on the trees. We go out each season to replace protective sleeves and re-stake down trees to give the saplings a chance to mature.