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Pennsylvania River Sojourns
From the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers
(POWR)
 ducational,
multi-day canoeing and float trips have been organized throughout
Pennsylvania and along many of its river ways since the 1980's.
The common term for these trips is River Sojourn. A wide variety
of organizations, agencies and corporations are involved in
each sojourn. They are held in warm weather months and most
occur during June "Rivers Month" in Pennsylvania.
Most are multi-day trips and cover anywhere from dozens to
over one hundred river miles. Some people participate for
a day and some for the entire length of the trip. Evening
stops are usually large river community events with a public
meal, presentations, discussions, singing and other festive
activities. Multiple-day participants normally camp at public
campgrounds along the river travel route.
 aving
a good time, relating to the river ecosystem and educating
the public about "their" local river are all reasons
to organize a sojourn. Sometimes specific issues and accomplishments
are highlighted or future river changes are focused upon during
sojourns and their related activities. A Sojourn can serve
as an interactive outdoor classroom that allows those who
participate to have and up close and personal experience that
will change the way they view their effect on water resources.
 iver
Sojourns have become a statewide effort in Pennsylvania thanks
in part to the sponsorship provided each year by Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources' (DCNR's) Rivers Sojourn
Grant Program. DCNR has selected a Feature River for Pennsylvania
every year since 1983 for a June Rivers Month poster. Since
1991, DCNR has provided funding for and actively participated
in developing River Sojourns to raise awareness of the beauty,
importance and economic value of rivers throughout the Commonwealth.
Their presence also brings the involvement of the Governor,
through a Gubernatorial Proclamation. Townships and municipalities
are also encouraged to take advantage of their local region's
Sojourn as an opportunity to recognize their accomplishments
in protecting and conserving water resources.
Visit
the DCNR
website for contact and location information for sojourns.
Additional information will be posted as soon as it is available.
For more information about individual events around the state
this spring and summer, contact the Pennsylvania Organization
for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) by calling 717-234-7910,
or by emailing sojourns@pawatersheds.org
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