American Rivers hosting March 24 paddle on Congaree River Blue Trail
Columbia – American Rivers will host a paddle event on Saturday, March 24 to celebrate the Congaree River Blue Trail and Three Rivers Greenway. This event is made possible by support from the Richland County Conservation Commission and is also a culmination of the city’s “One Book, One Columbia” project which used the book Saints at the River to explore river connections.
Members of the media are invited to join the event, paddling for two miles from Senate Street Landing to Rosewood Landing. Space is limited so please contact Erich Miarka (emiarka@americanrivers.org) to reserve a spot.
American Rivers helped establish the Congaree River Blue Trail, a water trail that helps people explore the river and connects the community to landscapes like Congaree National Park. It was designated as a national recreation trail by the Bush Administration in 2008. More recently, the Obama Administration recognized Columbia as a model for how communities are connecting with America’s Great Outdoors through their rivers. The Three Rivers Greenway was named in 2011 as an America’s Great Outdoors priority project for South Carolina by the Department of the Interior with the goal of expanding the greenway with trails and river access.
- WHO: Elected officials, Richland County Public Library youth leaders and staff, staff from American Rivers and other local conservation groups. 35 to 40 participants expected.
- Confirmed Speakers: Cayce Mayor Elise Partin; Carol Kososki – Richland County Conservation Commission; American Rivers Southeast Regional Director Gerrit Jobsis
- Invited Speakers: Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin; Columbia city council member Belinda Gergel; members of Richland and Lexington county councils
- WHAT: Paddle event on Congaree River Blue Trail
- WHEN: Saturday, March 24 at noon
- WHERE: Begins at Congaree River Greenway, Senate Street Landing, Columbia
- WHY: To celebrate the Congaree River Blue Trail and the Three Rivers Greenway, and the many economic, environmental, health, and quality of life benefits they provide to our community.
- CONTACT: Rebecca Haynes, American Rivers, 803-771-7114 ex 12
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American Rivers is the leading organization working to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and streams. Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Since 1973, American Rivers has fought to preserve these connections, helping protect and restore more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and the annual release of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 100,000 supporters, members, and volunteers nationwide. Visit www.americanrivers.org, www.facebook.com/americanrivers and www.twitter.com/americanrivers.
