Press release by Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds & Rivers on 15 April 2026
The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Pennsylvania River Sojourn Grants.
The Pennsylvania Sojourn Program is administered by POWR in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through funding from the Environmental Stewardship Fund administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. These grants are awarded on a competitive basis.
The PA Sojourn Program is nationally unique, distributing grants across the state to local organizations and their sojourn events. These grants support between 10 and 15 paddling events each year, encompassing over 500 river miles and 50+ on-the-water days, offering more than 100 educational programs and engaging over 4,000 people.
Sojourns are not only outdoor activities but are also an effective tool for raising awareness about our rivers and the issues affecting them, educating, and enhancing community involvement about natural and cultural resources, and promoting and encouraging watershed stewardship. The Sojourn program serves as a bridge to bring our communities to our rivers and streams to educate them, enabling them to become lifelong stewards of these resources. Sojourns offer a different point of view on some of Pennsylvania’s treasured landscapes and historic and cultural assets.
To view a map of sojourns planned statewide this year, click on this link: 2026 River Sojourn Story Map
2026 PA Sojourn Mini-Grantees:
Allegheny Valley Conservancy for the AVC Allegheny River Sojourn scheduled for August 7, 2026.
Conemaugh Valley Conservancy for the Stony-Kiski-Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn scheduled for June 4 through June 7, 2026.
Endless Mountains Heritage Region for the North Branch Sojourn scheduled for July 23 through July 26, 2026
Endless Mountains Heritage Region for the Women on the Water Sojourn scheduled for July 31 through August 2, 2026.
Endless Mountains Heritage Region for the Annual Youth Heritage Sojourn scheduled for June 18 through June 20, 2026.
French Creek Valley Conservancy for the 2026 Summer Sojourn scheduled for July 11, 2026.
Friends of the Riverfront for the Three Rivers Water Trail Care series scheduled for May 28, June 18, July 18, August 15 and October 6, 2026.
Riverlife for the Kayaks and Kamraderie: Sojourn of Pittsburg’s Rivers scheduled in June through September 2026.
Schuylkill River Greenways Association for the Schuylkill River Sojourn scheduled for June 13 through June 19, 2026.
Shenango River Watchers for the Summer Paddle Fest scheduled for June 28, 2026.
Swatara Watershed Association for the Swatara Sojourn: Flowing Forward with the Swatara Creek Collaborative scheduled for May 2, 2026.
The Abby Outdoor Initiative for the Susquehanna River Sojourn: Overnight Paddle & Stewardship Event scheduled for September 5 through September 6, 2026.
Three Rivers Waterkeeper for the Three Rivers Waterkeeper’s Allegheny River Sojourn scheduled for June 27, 2026.
The Watersmith Guild for the First Waves Regional Series & Aqua Lab Adventures scheduled in May 2026 through September 2026.
Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition for the 2026 Delaware River Sojourn: Our Nation’s River scheduled for June 20 through June 26, 2026.
Venture Outdoors Inc. for the Venture Outdoors River Exploration Series scheduled in June through October 2026.
Wildlands Conservancy for the 30th Annual Lehigh River Sojourn scheduled for June 19 through June 21, 2026.
About POWR
POWR is a statewide non-profit that aims to provide the tools, training, education, and resources that empower community watershed organization leaders and volunteers to protect and restore rivers and streams, advocate for sound water resource management and policies, and facilitate stewardship and enjoyment of Pennsylvania’s waterways. POWR is administered by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
Media contacts: Janet Sweeney, POWR, 570-718-6507
