The Eastwick Bulletin: Week of August 27th

Serving the residents and neighbors of Eastwick, Southwest Philadelphia, since our founding. The Eastwick Bulletin is published weekly to keep our community informed, connected, and empowered.

Welcome to this week's Eastwick Bulletin.

As families settle into the new school year, this edition celebrates new support for nature-based learning at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, raises an important concern about equitable school cooling and learning continuity, and shares opportunities for children, teens, adults, and families to connect in the weeks ahead. Please also save the date for the Southwest Citywide Yard Tree Giveaway at Bartram's Garden on Sunday, November 8.

🌟 POSITIVE UPDATE: Friends of Heinz Refuge Earns National Award for Community Conservation

We are encouraged that Friends of Heinz Refuge has received the 2026 O'Brien Prize for Refuge Friends from the National Wildlife Refuge Association. The $7,500 award will launch the Field to Fork Community Conservation Series at our own John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum.

The new series will create welcoming, hands-on ways for youth, adults, and first-time participants to connect with conservation, outdoor recreation, and the refuge. Planned activities include community workshops on conservation and wildlife stewardship, pop-up archery experiences, demonstrations about habitat management and ethical field skills, venison tastings, and volunteer mentor training. The programming will build on the refuge's existing mentored archery deer-hunting program in partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and National Deer Association.

This recognition celebrates a local organization that helps make the refuge accessible and meaningful to our neighbors. It also brings new resources for environmental education, community participation, and stewardship in one of Eastwick's most important natural spaces. We congratulate Friends of Heinz Refuge and look forward to sharing Field to Fork opportunities as they are announced.

⚠️ COMMUNITY CONCERN: Equitable School Cooling and Learning Continuity

Philadelphia students returned to school on August 24, but 52 District schools remain inadequately cooled. This is a citywide concern for Eastwick families because learning conditions should not depend on whether a child's school has the infrastructure to stay safe and comfortable in hot weather. The available reporting does not identify whether particular Eastwick-area schools are among the 52, so families should check directly with their school for building-specific information.

The School District's extreme-weather protocol can mean early dismissal for affected schools when temperatures are forecast to reach 85°F by noon, or remote learning when 85°F is forecast by 9:00 AM. These disruptions can place additional burdens on students, caregivers, and working families, while potentially reducing instructional time.

What families can do: Confirm that your school has current phone and email contact information for your household, review its communication process for weather-related schedule changes, and make a child-care plan where possible. EFNC will continue to share verified information that can help Eastwick families stay informed and prepared.

📅 UPCOMING EVENTS

🗓️ JOIN EFNC IN SEPTEMBER: TWO VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETINGS

EFNC September Virtual Board Meeting, Wednesday, September 2, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

All Eastwick residents are invited to join EFNC's September virtual Board meeting. The agenda includes recruiting new Board members, EFNC's role as a Registered Community Organization (RCO), and topics for upcoming EFNC-sponsored public meetings. To receive the virtual call link, email Fred at [email protected].

Eastwick: From Recovery to Resilience Virtual Town Hall, Thursday, September 10, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Please join this virtual town hall to discuss ongoing efforts to address flooding and quality of life in Eastwick. Advance registration is required. Register at https://bit.ly/9-10Eastwick. All registered participants will receive the meeting link and a reminder.

🌳 FEATURED EVENT: Southwest Citywide Yard Tree Giveaway

Save the date for a regional opportunity to add shade, beauty, and environmental benefits to your yard. TreePhilly's Southwest Citywide Yard Tree Giveaway will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, at the 56th Street Entrance to Bartram's Garden, 3000 S. 56th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143.

This is a citywide giveaway with no zip-code restrictions. To participate, residents must live in Philadelphia and plan to plant their tree in the ground on private property within the city. Registration is open now and closes on Wednesday, November 4. TreePhilly will contact registrants during the week before the event with final pickup instructions. Residents may also volunteer to support the event.

Register, review available tree species, learn about delivery or planting assistance, and sign up to volunteer at TreePhilly's Fall 2026 Yard Tree Giveaways page.

💡COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Eastwick Library

The Eastwick Library, located at 6641 Eastwick Avenue, offers free programs for children, teens, adults, and families. Visit the Eastwick Library calendar for the latest schedule.

School Weather and Heat Updates

Families can review the School District of Philadelphia's weather guidance and confirm how their child's school communicates schedule changes. For citywide heat and air-quality information, visit Breathe Philly and Breathe Philly's resources.

Philly 311 Non-Emergency Services

Use the Philly 311 mobile app, online portal, or phone line to report abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, overgrown vacant lots, and other neighborhood concerns. Dial 3-1-1 within Philadelphia or visit phila.gov/311.

📸 SEND US YOUR PHOTOS

We love seeing Eastwick through your eyes. Send us photos of neighborhood gatherings, local nature, community projects, gardens, and everyday moments that show what makes Eastwick special. Selected images may be featured in future Bulletins and EFNC social media. Please email your photo, a brief caption, and photographer credit to [email protected].

🗣️ FUTURE TOPICS: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

What would you like to see covered in a future Eastwick Bulletin? Please send local concerns, event notices, positive neighborhood news, and resource suggestions to [email protected]. Your input helps EFNC keep this newsletter relevant, practical, and community-centered.

🤝 ABOUT EFNC AND JOIN OUR BOARD

EFNC works with residents and partners to advance environmental justice, community advocacy, safety, and sustainable development in Eastwick. We are seeking community-minded Board members with experience or interest in social media, event planning, computer skills, grant writing, communications, and community outreach. To learn more about EFNC or express interest in serving, visit [email protected].

📢 SHARE THE WORD

Please forward this Bulletin to your Eastwick neighbors, friends, and family. Encourage them to subscribe at eastwickfnc.org so that more residents can stay informed and connected.

Until next time,
The EFNC Team