Survey for a Lost Plant on the Delaware River

Please join us as we paddle the Delaware River, between Easton and Upper Black Eddy in search of an amazing "lost plant." Join DRN's science team as we search for an aquatic plant that has been missing for 150 years. This opportunity is FREE. Four dates available.

Volunteers will spend an entire day on the River, paddling, wading, and even snorkeling (for those who feel comfortable) with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network’s expert, Dr. Erik Silldorff. We have 4 dates available for this FREE EVENT. Each trip will cover a separate six-to-nine mile reach of the River ,is an ACA sanctioned event, and is in collaboration with PA-DCNR's State Parks staff.

Requirements:

• Participant waivers must be signed before any participants engage in this event
• Kayaks, paddles, and personal floatation devices (PFD) will be provided
• PFD's are required to be worn throughout the entirety of the paddle
• Paddlers must be at least 14 years of age at the time of the event to participate
• Paddlers under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Optional training sessions for plant identification and general ecology available!

Dates:

1. Tuesday, August 5th (DRN Waiver)
2. Sunday, August 17th (DRN Waiver)
3. Friday, August 22nd (DRN Waiver)
4. Saturday, August 23rd (DRN Waiver)

REGISTER HERE

Volunteers are welcome to bring their own canoe or kayak. No worries if you don't have one, we will have these available free of charge during all paddling trips!

The unique fast-water aquatic plant, Podostemum, had been missing from the Lower Delaware River since the late 1800s, with the last confirmed collections in 1872 and 1885. Last year, Dr. Silldorff and a team of volunteers identified and documented this rare, aquatic plant in four separate locations! This amazing, clean-water-specialist has returned to the Lower Delaware, thanks to the long-lasting and meaningful effects of the Clean Water Act. Now, we need volunteers to learn to identify the plant and survey for its whereabouts on the Delaware River and its tributaries.

**Age Restrictions: the Paddle is open to those ages 14 and older (minors must be accompanied by an adult) **

Those participating on the paddle/kayak must complete waiver forms in order to participate. You may print these physical copies and bring them to the site the day of or email them to erik@delawareriverkeeper.org. We will also provide additional copies on site for you to fill out before the event.

For those interested in learning more, there will be two optional TRAINING SESSIONS held at Ralph Stover State Park in Bucks County on August 4 and August 14. Join Dr. Silldorff and learn to identify Podostemum from other aquatic plants, why this plant is important ecologically, and its unique history in the Delaware River.

Questions? Please contact Erik Silldorff