PENNSYLVANIA — Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has announced an open invitation to the public to vote for the 2024 Pennsylvania River of the Year. Three state waterways are in the running: the Allegheny River, Lackawaxen River, and Youghiogheny River.
“This annual competition is a great way to highlight Pennsylvania’s special waterways and the benefits they bring for conservation, recreation, economic development, and so much more,” said Dunn. She expressed her excitement about the competition and eagerness to see which river would top the voting.
The nominees were selected based on their conservation needs, successes, and proposed programs if they win the 2024 River of the Year title. The selection process was overseen by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR), in cooperation with DCNR.
Now in its 14th year, the online public selection process continues to grow in popularity. The public can cast their votes until 5:00 P.M. Friday, January 19, 2024.
Voting takes place through Woobox, an online contest application that restricts voting to one email address. POWR, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, administers the River of the Year program with funding from DCNR.
The River of the Year honor has been awarded annually since 1983, with the North Branch Susquehanna River being the recent recipient for 2023. Janet Sweeney, executive director of POWR, said, “As we all continue to spend more time outdoors and deepen our appreciation for the beautiful natural resources of Pennsylvania, the annual River of the Year voting process is a fun way to rally behind and support your favorite waterway.”
The organization nominating the winning river will receive a $10,000 leadership grant from DCNR to fund River of the Year activities. Among these activities is a paddling trip, or sojourn.
In addition to the award, a free, commemorative poster celebrating the River of the Year is created by POWR and DCNR in collaboration with local organizations.
The Pennsylvania Sojourn Program, an independent program, supports a dozen such trips on the state’s rivers each year. These water-based journeys for canoeists, kayakers, and others aim to raise awareness of the environmental, recreational, tourism, and heritage values of rivers.
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