August 29, 2024 – August 30, 2024
UPDATED DATES AVAILABLE
The unique fast-water aquatic plant, Podostemum, has been missing from the Lower Delaware River since the late 1800s, with the last confirmed collections in 1872 and 1885. Now this amazing, clean-water-specialist has returned to the Lower Delaware, and we need volunteers to learn to identify the plant and then to survey for its whereabouts on the Delaware River and its tributaries.
Please join us for an evening training session with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network’s expert, Dr. Erik Silldorff, as we learn about this plant’s biology, ecology, and recovery.
For up to 20 volunteers, DRN then offers a FREE PADDLING TRIP on Friday, August 29th from Upper Black Eddy down to Point Pleasant, PA, to survey high-quality habitat for this threatened plant. Volunteers are welcome to paddle their own canoe or kayak, but FREE RENTAL KAYAKS will also be available for this paddling trip.
Training Session
Thursday, August 29th, 5:00 pm
Ralph Stover State Park (Pavilion #4)
Paddling Survey on Delaware River
Friday, August 30th, 7:00am
Bucks County River Country
2 Walters Ln, Point Pleasant, PA 18950
(Meet at parking lot)
To attend, please fill out the registration-interest form
** Age Restrictions: the Training is open to everyone, but the Kayak Paddle is open to those ages 14 and older (minors must be accompanied by an adult) **
Those participating on the paddle/kayak must complete the following waiver forms in order to participate. You may print these physical copies and bring them to the site the day of. We will also provide additional copies on site just in case.
- Delaware Riverkeeper Network Waiver (Required for Paddle)
- American Canoe Association Waiver (for ADULTS) (Required for Paddle)
- American Canoe Association Waiver (for MINORS) (Required for Paddle)
- Bucks County River Country Waiver (Required for Paddle)
Questions? Please contact Erik Silldorff (erik@delawareriverkeeper.org)
The Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic Management Council, as funded by the National Park Service, (www.lowerdelawarewildandscenic.org) supported the Community Scientists Survey for the Lost Plant: Podostemum. This work and paddling event was also supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC).
This event is conducted in Partnership with the American Canoe Association.
Additional Links:
Delaware Riverkeeper Network video on Podostemum comeback:
Read more:
Delaware Current article about Podostemum return to the Lower Delaware