The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally changed most aspects of our lives in the last several months, but one thing that’s changed for the positive is our connection to nature and the outdoors.

Here at PennFuture, we’ve always taken seriously the need to appreciate Pennsylvania’s natural resources, which is why we do everything we can to protect and preserve them. Part of that work, however, involves highlighting all of our beautiful streams, rivers and waterways throughout Pennsylvania.

That’s why this week, in conjunction with groups like the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed and the Choose Clean Water Coalition, we are officially celebrating the first ever “PA Clean Water Week.” During this period, we are celebrating not only the waters of Pennsylvania, but advocating for their preservation and health, and for funding from our state and federal governments for restoration and maintenance projects.

Each day this week, we will feature a different watershed in Pennsylvania and will use social media like Facebook and Twitter to communicate with supporters. 

On Monday, April 13, we will celebrate the Delaware River watershed. On Tuesday, we will highlight the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which includes the Susquehanna & Potomac Rivers. Wednesday will include a celebration of the Ohio River watershed, which includes the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. Thursday will include a celebration of the Lake Erie and Genesee River watersheds. Friday will wrap up PA Clean Water Week with a virtual webinar to celebrate all of these wonderful watersheds!

Every day of the week, you can celebrate Pennsylvania’s streams and rivers by sharing photos of your local waterways, posting a short video on why clean water matters to you, writing a poem or short story, or posting on social media. Please be sure to tag PennFuture on both Facebook and Twitter or use the hashtag #PaCleanWaterWeek, so we can share your contributions during the celebration webinar on Friday, April 17!

If you’d like to register for the live celebration webinar here, click here.

At PennFuture, and on behalf of our partners and colleagues, we are thrilled to celebrate Pennsylvania’s clean rivers, streams and waterways this week! Now, more than ever, we need to cherish and preserve these natural resources for generations to come.

Will you join us? Anyone wishing to learn more about PA Clean Water Week should contact PennFuture Campaigns Director Emily Baldauff, at baldauff@pennfuture.org, or Renee Reber, at reber@pennfuture.org.