River Sojourn season is well under way in Pennsylvania! The Swatara Sojourn and Stream Cleanup was the first event of the season, ans was it ever a success! Complete with a series of proclamations and resolutions from the Lebanon County Commissioners and other municipal officials, the sojourn drew attention from across the community for the [...]
River Sojourn season is well under way in Pennsylvania!
The Swatara Sojourn and Stream Cleanup was the first event of the season, ans was it ever a success! Complete with a series of proclamations and resolutions from the Lebanon County Commissioners and other municipal officials, the sojourn drew attention from across the community for the value of the Swatara Creek.
Check out the Swatara Water Trail Facebook page for a number of great photo galleries showing off the event.
For those of you hoping to hit the river, two more Sojourns kick off later this week. First up, the Alle-Kiski-Connie Sojourn will travel through the beautiful Allegheny, Kiskiminetas and Conemaugh Valleys over three days starting on Friday, May 18. A free river refresher course and paddler check-in will begin on Thursday.
On Saturday, May 19, the West Branch of the Susquehanna River Sojourn will hit the river. The West Branch is 228 miles long, has just been designated a National Recreation Trail, AND was just named to National Geographic’s “Best Adventure Destinations for 2012.” Come see what all the talk is about on this multi-day, paddle trip. Stretches of this river are remote and scenic and one day will require 22 miles of paddling, thus intermediate and experienced paddlers are encouraged to register.
Check out the full schedule for other upcoming events.
Discover a hidden treasure hailed as one of the best whitewater rivers in the Eastern U.S. or take a relaxing float trip, listen to music and watch playboaters in action during the River of the Year Celebration! A full day of on-shore and off-shore festivities are planned for the Stonycreek River of the Year Celebration [...]
Discover a hidden treasure hailed as one of the best whitewater rivers in the Eastern U.S. or take a relaxing float trip, listen to music and watch playboaters in action during the River of the Year Celebration!
A full day of on-shore and off-shore festivities are planned for the Stonycreek River of the Year Celebration on June 16 based around Johnstown’s Greenhouse Park.
The Stonycreek won the statewide River of the Year contest based on restoring a fishery to the Stonycreek, recognition of the Stony as one of the five best whitewater rivers in the Eastern United States, and the installation of a valve in Quemahoning Dam to release water at the whopping rate of 500 cubic feet per second to improve the boating on many weekends. Pennsylvania Environmental Council is proud to support the River of the Year effort as part of the Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative.
The June 16 activities include the outfitted whitewater sojourn from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A river dedication and official program will be held at noon. Whitewater rafting and leisurely float trips are available Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17, through Coal Tubin’, and if enough water is available, one option will be to float to Downtown Johnstown and stay for the official dedication and inaugural concert at Peoples Natural Gas Park, with Tab Bonoit as the headliner.
On shore at Greenhouse Park, there will be music, displays about area conservation efforts and the opportunity to watch in-river action, including a freestyle whitewater rodeo from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and a Playboater X competition from 4:30 to 6 p.m. SurfSUP Paddleboarding will provide demonstrations and lessons for riding waves while standing up from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Music will be happening throughout the day. From 2 to 5 p.m., the Whiskey River Panhandlers from Johnstwn will play acoustic Americana, folk, bluegrass and blues; from 5 to 8, the South Side Strays fromo Johnstown will perform an eclectic blend of jam, rock and blues; and from 8 to 11, the Halftime String Band, an Americana-Bluegrass-Jam Band from Morgantown, WV, will perform.
Camping will be available at Greenhouse Park (adjacent to Whitewater Park), and water will also be released from the Que on Sunday, June 17.
Two other exciting river events are happening within a month of the river celebration:
- May 18 and 19 is the Stonycreek Rendezvous. Whitewater rafting will be available both days. The first 100 people to register through the Benscreek Canoe Club website for an outfitted whitewater trip will receive a 50% discount. Once the discounted slots are sold, people can still do an outfitted raft trip by contacting Coal Tubin’ of Johnstown and Wilderness Voyagers of Ohiopyle. Leisurely float trips from Greenhouse Park to the city also are available through Coal Tubin’. On May 19, the event also features a silent auction, a downriver canoe race, outfitting vendors, music, as well as food and beverages. Camping available. Visit the Benscreek Canoe Club website for more information: benscreekcanoeclub.com.
- May 31 to June 3 is the Kiski-Conemaugh River Sojourn will be held. Kayaks are available to registrants on the first three days. May 31 is a paddle through Conemaugh Gap, June 1 is a paddle through Packsaddle Gap and June 2 on the lower Conemaugh and onto the Kiski River around Saltsburg. June 3 is a whitewater day on the Stonycreek with outfitting available. Contact: JLaVelle@alleghenyridge.org.
The Stonycreek promoters will be planning more river activity over the summer, including activity during the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival on Aug. 3-5 to cross-promote the music and outdoor activities and better showcase Johnstown.
Stonycreek River of the Year Celebration is sponsored or supported by the Stonycreek Quemahoning Initiative, Benscreek Canoe Club, Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, Somerset County Tourism Program, state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Organization for Watershed & Rivers, Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project, Lift Johnstown and Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
Here’s our up-to-date Sojourn calendar for the 2012 season! Swatara Creek – May 5 to 6 Allegheny-Kiskiminetas-Conemaugh Rivers – May 17 to 20 West Branch of the Susquehanna – May 19 to 24 Stonycreek & Kiskimenitas-Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn – May 31 to June 3 Schuylkill River – June 2 to 8 Perkiomen Creek – June [...]
Here’s our up-to-date Sojourn calendar for the 2012 season!
- Swatara Creek – May 5 to 6
- Allegheny-Kiskiminetas-Conemaugh Rivers – May 17 to 20
- West Branch of the Susquehanna – May 19 to 24
- Stonycreek & Kiskimenitas-Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn – May 31 to June 3
- Schuylkill River – June 2 to 8
- Perkiomen Creek – June 9
- Youghiogheny River – June 9
- Monongehela River – June 9
- McMichaels Creek – June 9
- Yellow Breeches Youth Sojourn – June 10 to 12
- Juniata River – June 15 to 20
- Susquehanna North Branch – June 20 to 24
- Lehigh River June 22-25
- Delaware River – June 24 to 30
- Ohiopyle Over the Falls Festival – August 18
Which sojourn are you planning to attend?
POWR is a supporting organization of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. We are passing along this urgent message from RGG Executive Director Andrew Heath. Conservation and recreation funding is under attack in Harrisburg, and needs your help TODAY. Governor Corbett has proposed to cut $30 million from Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund and permanently [...]
POWR is a supporting organization of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. We are passing along this urgent message from RGG Executive Director Andrew Heath.
Conservation and recreation funding is under attack in Harrisburg, and needs your help TODAY. Governor Corbett has proposed to cut $30 million from Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund and permanently eliminate this popular program that supports local open space and park and recreation projects. His budget would also phase-out dedicated funds for the state farmland preservation program.
Please join the increasing number of Pennsylvanians calling upon the Legislature to STOP THE CUTS and protect our land, water, communities and future.
By clicking this link, you will be directed to an online petition, where in less than 30 seconds you can add your name to the growing list of people standing up for Pennsylvania’s parks, farmland, open space and environment. All we need is your name, zip code and email address.
Sign thie petition today: http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/2012budget
Send a message to Harrisburg that it cannot balance the budget by putting our environment at risk for future generations.
Let your voice be heard!
Please forward this to friends, family and anyone else who cares about clean drinking water, fresh air, local food and parks and open spaces where families and children can play.
Together, we can STOP THE CUTS!
We are now accepting applications for the 2012 POWR general liability insurance program. This program is a cost-effective way to insure your small watershed organization. Over the years we have had many organizations in Pennsylvania join us in this program. We believe that there is no better value out there for the states watershed groups. [...]
We are now accepting applications for the 2012 POWR general liability insurance program. This program is a cost-effective way to insure your small watershed organization. Over the years we have had many organizations in Pennsylvania join us in this program. We believe that there is no better value out there for the states watershed groups.
This steeply discounted basic and umbrella insurance coverage is a service POWR provides as part of our mission to support watershed groups and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
The total cost of participation in the program is $353 per organization for organizations with up to 200 members. This includes the cost of insurance, an administrative fee, and an annual POWR membership. Each organization must be a POWR member to participate.
You can download the application directly from this link, or visit our insurance page for more information.
If you have been toying with the idea of hosting a Sojourn on your local waterway, there is still time for you to participate in POWR’s grant program. The grant application will close on March 2, 2012 at 5:00 pm. Because of the short time before the close of the application window, all applicants are [...]
If you have been toying with the idea of hosting a Sojourn on your local waterway, there is still time for you to participate in POWR’s grant program. The grant application will close on March 2, 2012 at 5:00 pm.
Because of the short time before the close of the application window, all applicants are encouraged to contact Josh Karns, Program Manager, to notify him of your pending application. Josh can be reached at 717-230-8044 x 12 or at jkarns@pecpa.org.
Download the 2012 application (pdf) here.
Grants are made based on available funding for up to $900 per water day. Organizers are eligible to apply for an initial 60% of the grant amount to offset the upfront costs. Upon completion of the scheduled events, organizers submit a request for the final 40% of the grant along with a complete expense summary, event report, insurance forms, and media coverage report.
This Sojourn Planning Overview (pdf) can help local organizers in planning their event and completing the grant application.
Grant recipients will be notified on March 9, 2012.
Get more details on the Sojourn page.
Many organizations across Pennsylvania have announced the dates for their 2012 sojourns. For most sojourns, registration has not yet begun. Mark your calendars now! Swatara Creek – May 5 to 6 Allegheny-Kiskiminetas-Conemaugh Rivers – May 17 to 20 West Branch of the Susquehanna – May 20 to 24 Kiskimenitas-Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn – May 31 to [...]
Many organizations across Pennsylvania have announced the dates for their 2012 sojourns. For most sojourns, registration has not yet begun. Mark your calendars now!
- Swatara Creek – May 5 to 6
- Allegheny-Kiskiminetas-Conemaugh Rivers – May 17 to 20
- West Branch of the Susquehanna – May 20 to 24
- Kiskimenitas-Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn – May 31 to June 3
- Schuylkill River – June 2 to 8
- Perkiomen Creek – June 9
- Juniata River – June 15 to 20
- Stonycreek River of the Year Celebration – June 16
- Lehigh River June 22-25
- Delaware River – June 24 to 30
We know there are others who haven’t announced yet, so there’s more to come!
Also, if you and your organization are interested in organizing a sojourn on your river, check out our planning guide and min-grant opportunity.
American Water is now accepting applications for grant funding for innovative projects within their service area (including Pennsylvania.) Eligible projects must be completed between May and November of the grant funding year and be a new or innovative community initiative, or serve as significant expansion to an existing program. For more info on this opportunity, check [...]
American Water is now accepting applications for grant funding for innovative projects within their service area (including Pennsylvania.)
Eligible projects must be completed between May and November of the grant funding year and be a new or innovative community initiative, or serve as significant expansion to an existing program.
For more info on this opportunity, check out this link.
We are now accepting applications for grants to partly fund river sojourns during the 2012 paddling season. The grant application will close on March 2, 2012 at 5:00 pm. Download the 2012 application (pdf) here. Grants are made based on available funding for up to $900 per water day. Organizers are eligible to apply for [...]
We are now accepting applications for grants to partly fund river sojourns during the 2012 paddling season. The grant application will close on March 2, 2012 at 5:00 pm.
Download the 2012 application (pdf) here.
Grants are made based on available funding for up to $900 per water day. Organizers are eligible to apply for an initial 60% of the grant amount to offset the upfront costs. Upon completion of the scheduled events, organizers submit a request for the final 40% of the grant along with a complete expense summary, event report, insurance forms, and media coverage report.
This Sojourn Planning Overview (pdf) can help local organizers in planning their event and completing the grant application.
All applicants are encouraged to contact Josh Karns, Program Manager, to discuss your plans prior to submitting an application. Josh can be reached at 717-230-8044 x 12 or at jkarns@pecpa.org. Grant recipients will be notified on March 9, 2012.
Get more details on the Sojourn page and come back to our website over the coming weeks as we release additional information about planning a successful sojourn.
The Water Resources Education Network (WREN) is now accepting applications for their 2012-2013 watershed education grants. This is a great opportunity to secure funding for your innovative education project. The WREN Watershed Education Grant Program seeks to raise public awareness, encourage behavior change, and improve public policies to protect water resources in Pennsylvania. WREN invites [...]
The Water Resources Education Network (WREN) is now accepting applications for their 2012-2013 watershed education grants. This is a great opportunity to secure funding for your innovative education project.
The WREN Watershed Education Grant Program seeks to raise public awareness, encourage behavior change, and improve public policies to protect water resources in Pennsylvania. WREN invites grant proposals for Watershed Protection Education projects from local coalitions that will raise awareness and educate Pennsylvania citizens, local officials, and other community stakeholders about their roles as environmental stewards to protect, improve, or remediate the watershed from the impacts of polluted runoff.
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fun invites partnerships of local or regional organizations, such as watershed associations, civic groups, community water systems, governmental entities (including municipal authorities), and other public interest organizations to carefully review the WREN Grant Application Guidelines and Application Form and to submit an application to LWVPA CEF. Applications are due by Friday, March 23, 2012. Successful applicants will be notified by May 16, 2012. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded for projects to take place July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013.
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