FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2017
Contact: Janet Sweeney
Phone: (570) 718-6507
Email: [email protected]
2018 “River of the Year” Nominations Open
Nominations Accepted from October 9, 2017 Through November 6, 2017
Public to Vote on Pennsylvania’s Best River…
Luzerne – Pennsylvania nonprofit organizations are invited to nominate waterways for the “2018 Pennsylvania River of the Year.”
The nomination period is open through November 6, 2017 and then selected nominations will be voted on by the public beginning in early November.
“Thankfully, Pennsylvania residents hold their state’s natural resources in the highest regard, but our wealth of waterways always has held a very special place in their hearts,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Nowhere is this appreciation more evident than in the annual support of this selection process in which one river or stream will claim ‘River of the Year’ honors. When the public rallies around them, all nominated waterways emerge true winners.”
For more information about the River of the Year program or to nominate a river, visit www.pariveroftheyear.org.
Nominations must be made by Monday, November 6, 2017 at 5 p.m.
All Pennsylvania Rivers are eligible for nomination, except for winning rivers since 2013.
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 2017 River of the Year is the Allegheny River.
“We are excited to once again announce the opening of the nomination period for the 2018 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. The River of the Year program and voting by the public provides the opportunity to engage a broader audience in the appreciation of our rivers and streams, 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.
To learn more about the River of the Year program, visit www.pariveroftheyear.org.
Past Rivers of the Year
2017 – Allegheny River
2016 – North Branch Susquehanna River
2015 – Conewango Creek
2014 – Schuylkill River
2013 – Monongahela River
2012 – Stonycreek River
2011 – Delaware River
2010 – Lackawaxen River
2009 – Lower and Middle Susquehanna River
2008 – Youghiogheny River
2007 – Lehigh River
2006 – Three Rivers
2005 – West Branch Susquehanna River
2004 – North Branch Susquehanna River
2003 – French Creek
2002 – Delaware River
2001 – Juniata River
2000 – Kiskiminitas-Conemaugh River
1999 – Schuylkill River
1998 – Youghiogheny River
1997 – Lehigh River
1996 – Tulpehocken Creek
1996 – Clarion River
1995 – Upper Delaware
1995 – Juniata River
1994 – Allegheny River
1994 – Susquehanna River
1993 – Meshoppen Creek
1993 – North Branch and Main Stem Susquehanna River
1992 – Yellow Breeches Creek
1992 – West Branch Susquehanna River
1991 – North Branch Susquehanna River
1991 – Pine Creek
1990 – Catawissa Creek
1989 – Bear Run
1988 – West Branch Susquehanna River
1986 – North Branch Susquehanna River
1983 & 1984 – Clarion River
About POWR
POWR, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, administers the Pennsylvania Sojourn program. POWR has been in place for over a decade and has sponsored trips on many of the Commonwealth’s rivers. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR) is the prime sponsor of the program.
About the Pennsylvania Environmental Council
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council is a statewide organization that brings people, government, and business together to find real world solutions for environmental challenges. These solutions bring about sustainable communities, protect our water resources, and address energy and climate issues. PEC was founded in 1970 and serves the entire state through offices in Luzerne, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.
For more information, visit www.pecpa.org.
# # #