Written by Christina Moresi for the Friends of the Wissahickon
The first time I met Trish Fries, environmental education specialist at the Wissahickon Environmental Center, I was dressed in my farming finest, trampling through the snow to Maple Sugar Day on Forbidden Drive. I don’t know what was sweeter, Trish supporting me as a volunteer with little sugaring knowledge, or the syrup itself.
After leading the center for 18 years, Trish will retire this May. I have been privileged to work with and learn from her for 15 of those years. She set me on a path of practicing environmental education that led me to many great adventures, and then back to the Tree House. None of which could have been done without her.
I am not the only one who has fond memories of Trish as a friend, educator, caretaker of the Tree House, and steward to the Wissahickon.
“My two kids, who are now 28 and 20, were so fortunate to have Trish in their lives. Many of their childhood "firsts" happened through the Tree House and all the activities that Trish organized there for families with young children…” Linda Pollack
“Trish was a great camp leader! I attended every year I was able, even though I was stung by a whole hive of bees on my first day. Thanks for making the Tree House such a wonderful place to learn and play!” Nathaniel Reichley
“I attended Treehouse Adventure Camp from when I was 5 to 10 years old, and then Out-n-About Camp until I was 14. Many of my happiest childhood memories were formed during the weeks I spent at camp each summer. Under Trish's supervision, my fellow campers and I became immersed in the wonders of the natural world. We were encouraged to be independent explorers, builders, and naturalists. Trish encouraged all types of discovery-- if I brushed up against stinging nettle, she explained why it hurt, and how long it would take for the pain to subside. If we noticed a mysterious bird, Trish would identify it and point it out if we saw it again. Trish taught us how to navigate trails, bandage wounds, and hold turtles. She knew how to get a group of 7 year-olds to be quiet for long enough to see a frog jump out of a pond.” Lucy Corlett
According to Trish, working at the Tree House is her “favorite job ever.” Trish began her work at the Tree House in the framework laid forth by her predecessor, Sioux Baldwin, but quickly began creating her own legacy, utilizing her education and experience as a landscape architect, environmental educator, and life-long naturalist.
One of the most impactful programs for Trish was her development of Tree House Adventure Camp, and Out-n-About Camp. These highly sought after camps have allowed kids to connect with nature, and allow kids to explore and learn in their own way, while meeting new friends and making memories with old friends. Most of the kids who attended camp are now adults. These kids return to work in the summers, and even bring their kids back to the Tree House. These are the moments that every educator hopes to have. Seeing their hard work, teaching, planning, going above and beyond, all come to that moment when it is clear that it was all worth it.
We've had a lot of unexpected changes over the past year and a half, but Trish’s retirement was one change we could plan for, and we honor the education legacy she leaves for us to carry on. While Verland and I will work hard to adapt again, and keep education at the Tree House to the level Trish has set for us, we know that it will be a difficult transition. And while we know Trish will miss us, she will be doing so from the many adventures she will soon take, and her most important full-time job as retired grandma.
