January 29, 2020

Lackawanna River Named 2020 PA River of the Year – Click here to read the press release from PA DCNR: PA DCNR Announces the 2020 PA River of the Year

December 9, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2019

Voting to Begin for Pennsylvania’s 2020 River of the Year

Harrisburg, PA – The public is invited to again vote online for the 2020 Pennsylvania River of the Year, choosing from among five waterways nominated throughout the state

”Regardless of the outcome, this competition builds community support around our rivers and streams, putting them in the public limelight,” Dunn said. “This annual undertaking is much more than a public vote gauging popularity of Pennsylvania waterways. All have truly unique attributes; offer incredible recreational opportunities; and bring significant boosts to local economies.”

Waterways nominated for 2020 are Brandywine Creek, Buffalo Creek, Connoquenessing Creek, Lackawanna River and Ohio River.

Nominations were based on each waterway’s conservation needs and successes, as well as celebration plans if the nominee is voted 2020 River of the Year. In cooperation with DCNR, selection of public voting choices is overseen by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR), an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

The online public selection process continues to be increasingly popular as it enters its tenth year. The public can vote for a favorite state waterway beginning Monday, December 9, 2019 through Friday, January 17, 2020.

POWR, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, administers the River of the Year program with funding from DCNR. Presented annually since 1983, this year’s 2019 designation was awarded to the Clarion River.

“We are excited to kick off, for the tenth year, the public on-line voting process for Pennsylvania River of the Year,” said POWR Director Janet Sweeney. “It is really great to see how engaged people are in campaigning for their local rivers and creeks through this unique voting opportunity for residents across the commonwealth.”

After a waterway is chosen for the annual honor, local groups implement a year-round slate of activities and events to celebrate the river, including a paddling trip, or sojourn. The organization nominating the winning river will receive a $10,000 leadership grant from DCNR to help fund River of the Year activities.

POWR and DCNR also work with local organizations to create a free, commemorative poster celebrating the River of the Year.

The River of the Year sojourn is among many paddling trips supported each year by DCNR and POWR. An independent program, the Pennsylvania Sojourn Program, is a unique series of a dozen such trips on the state’s rivers. The water-based journeys for canoeists, kayakers, and others raise awareness of the environmental, recreational, tourism and heritage values of rivers.

To vote, click here: http://pariveroftheyear.org/vote-for-a-2020-river-of-the-year/

MEDIA CONTACT: Terry Brady, PADCNR  717-772-9101

###

October 22, 2019

2020 “River of the Year” Nominations Open!

Pennsylvania nonprofit organizations are invited to nominate waterways for the “2019 Pennsylvania River of the Year.”

The nomination period is open through November 15, 2019 and then selected nominations will be voted on by the public beginning in late November.

“As I have said throughout past annual selection processes, there may be only one River of the Year but all waterways nominated emerge as true winners,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “All have a pronounced public pride swirling around them that sees waterways protected and promoted by those who respect and enjoy their favorite waters.”

To nominate a river, Click here: 2020 River of the Year Nomination Form

Nominations must be made by Friday, November 15, 2019 at 5 p.m.

All Pennsylvania waterways are eligible for nomination, except for the ROY winners since 2015.

About the River of the Year Program

The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) administers the River of the Year program with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Pennsylvania’s River of the Year is an honor designed to elevate public awareness of specific rivers and recognize important conservation needs and achievements. River of the Year designations have been presented annually since 1983.

Pennsylvania’s 2019 River of the Year is the Clarion River.

“We are excited to once again announce the opening of the nomination period for the 2020 River of the Year program. The River of the Year program is one way that we can highlight the opportunities and challenges facing the Commonwealth’s waterways.  As well as, give all Pennsylvanians a chance to support their favorite waterway in friendly competition with others across the Commonwealth.” said Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers Director Janet Sweeney.

After a waterway is chosen, local groups implement a year-round slate of activities and events to celebrate the river, including a River of the Year Sojourn. The nominating organization of the winning river will receive a $10,000 leadership grant to help fund their River of the Year activities.

Comments are closed.