American Rivers named Outstanding Conservation Organization for 2008

Berks County Conservation District honors American Rivers

April 6, 2009

(Camp Hill, PA) --  American Rivers was named Outstanding Conservation Organization for 2008 today by the Berks County Conservation District. The award recognizes the work of American Rivers, the nation’s leading river conservation organization, to protect and restore the district’s rivers.

“We are honored to receive this award,” said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. “The conservation district has been a valuable partner in our efforts to restore the county’s rivers, and we look forward to many more years of working together.”

American Rivers has been engaged in dam removal projects across Berks County since 2004, with the removal of the Charming Forge Dam on Tulpehocken Creek.  More recently, American Rivers has worked with numerous local partners to remove three dams on Wyomissing Creek and will be removing a dam near Oley this summer.  American Rivers has also been discussing the future of the Bushong Mill Dam on Tulpehocken Creek with the Berks County Conservancy and the City of Reading.  In 2006, the Academy of Natural Sciences completed a study funded by American Rivers, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the ecological response of Manatawny Creek to a dam removal project near Pottstown.

American Rivers opened its Pennsylvania field office in 2000 and focuses on removing harmful, outdated dams across the state, as well as improving state policy, regulation and funding programs that promote green infrastructure solutions for efficient and effective water management across Pennsylvania. 

“Healthy rivers are the lifeblood of Berks County and the state as a whole,” said Wodder. “Pennsylvanians value their rivers for clean water, fish and wildlife, recreation, and all of the economic and quality of life benefits healthy rivers provide.”

The Berks County Conservation District is dedicated to the encouragement and instruction of the wise stewardship of the soils and waters of Berks County so that present and future generations may have healthy land on which to live and work and clean water for drinking and recreation.

Major rivers and streams in Berks County include the Schuylkill River, Tulpehocken Creek, Wyomissing Creek, Little Swatara Creek, Maiden Creek, Manatawny Creek and Hay Creek. Most of Berks County is part of the broader Delaware River watershed.

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American Rivers is the leading conservation organization fighting for healthy rivers so communities can thrive. American Rivers protects and restores America's rivers for the benefit of people, wildlife and nature. Founded in 1973, American Rivers has more than 65,000 members and supporters, with offices in Washington, DC and nationwide.