Delaware River in the Running for Pennsylvania's River of the Year

For Immediate Release

December 17, 2024

(West Trenton, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and the Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee are pleased to announce that the Delaware River is in the running to be Pennsylvania's 2025 River of the Year. Public voting is underway, with a deadline of January 24, 2025.

Bestowed annually on a Commonwealth river by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), this honor helps raise awareness of rivers' significance, conservation needs, unique history, recreational opportunities and economic impact on watershed communities. The Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee nominated the Delaware River to help commemorate the Sojourn's 30^th Anniversary in 2025.

"As a Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee member, the DRBC proudly supports the Delaware River's nomination for PA River of the Year," said DRBC Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh. "Over 14 million people, including 5.7 million Pennsylvanians, rely on the shared water resources of the Delaware River Basin, highlighting the river's importance to Pennsylvania and the entire Mid-Atlantic region."

The winning river's nominating organization will receive a $10,000 DCNR grant to fund year-long celebrations, including paddling events and community activities.

"If chosen as the 2025 River of the Year, in addition to planning the 30th Delaware River Sojourn, the Delaware Sojourn Steering Committee will work with its partners to coordinate a series of events that will promote awareness of, stewardship for and communities' connections to the Delaware River," said Director of Conservation Policy Engagement for the Appalachian Mountain Club and Chair of the Sojourn Steering Committee Mark Zakutansky.

Please visit https://pawatersheds.org/2025-river-of-the-year-nominees/ to learn more about the 2025 PA River of the Year nominees. Then, head on over to https://pawatersheds.org/vote-for-a-2025-river-of-the-year/ to vote. This public contest is open to everyone, not just Pennsylvanians; only one vote per email address will be accepted.

The Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee includes agencies, organizations and individual volunteers working together to plan this annual paddling and camping trip. Details on the 2025 Sojourn, scheduled for June 14-20, can be found at https://delawareriversojourn.com as they become available.

The DRBC is a federal-interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin without regard to political boundaries. The five Commission members are the governors of the Basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government. Learn more at www.drbc.gov.

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Contact:

Kate Schmidt, [email protected]

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