Photo: Gerald S. Williams

Section 4. Public Awareness and Education

ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS
The original meaning of “Schuylkill” as the hidden river may describe the public’s limited awareness of the watershed today. Since 1991, Pennsylvania DCNR has provided funding for River Sojourns to raise awareness of rivers throughout the Commonwealth. Managed by the Schuylkill River Greenway Association (SRGA), the Schuylkill River Sojourn is a canoe trip that travels 108 miles over seven days. It is an annual event that occurs in June. In 2001, more than 180 people participated.

A number of other nonprofit organizations sponsor events to enhance public awareness. The Schuylkill Canal Association holds an “open house” for a locktender’s house. The Association also sponsors an annual Canal Day with canoe races, and it illuminates a section of an old canal path for walks during the Christmas holiday. The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy holds an annual Earth Day event that attracts around 5000 people. The Conservancy believes that one of its major achievements has been to enhance the public’s awareness of Perkiomen Creek.

Watershed conferences provide an opportunity for the public to acquire a more in-depth understanding of the watershed. In recent years, the Delaware River Network’s Schuylkill Office and its partners have held a Schuylkill Watershed Congress every Spring. Additionally, the Pennsylvania DEP in partnership with the Pennsylvania Organization for Statewide Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) and others, organizes an annual two-day statewide watershed conference in the fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

next page >

 

Site Design: Tevlin & Clarke

How People Regard the Schuylkill Watershed

A 1997 statistical survey of watershed residents found the following:

31% accurately named the Schuylkill as the watershed they lived in. Another 30 percent said they lived in the Delaware Watershed, and 33 percent couldn’t say;

56% believe that their local stream or river is not safe to swim in;

82% never or rarely use the Schuylkill River and its tributaries for recreational purposes;

37% are aware of groups or organizations currently working to protect open space and improve water quality in their community;

74% strongly support increased funding to improve water quality;

69% strongly support the purchase and protection of more land for parks;

84% are willing to pay more for a home that has nearby parks or natural areas; and

86% believe that there should be more environmental education programs for children and adults.

* The Survey was conducted of 800 individuals throughout the watershed by the Global Strategy Group, Inc. for The Conservation Fund.