Earth Day In Monroe County, A Reunion Of Environmental Pioneers

The following article was submitted by the Brodhead Watershed Association--

For more than 60 years, best friends Jim Price and John Riley made the environment of Monroe County a priority.

During the countywide Earth Day celebration held April 23 at Northampton Community College in Tannersville, nature-minded people gathered to witness the men, now in their 80s, reunite and reminisce about Monroe’s earlier efforts in environmental preservation.

(Photo:  John Riley, Jim Price and Larry Schweiger.)

Today’s Pocono residents have them to thank for Monroe County Conservation Camp, which started in 1974 – Price was a founder, and Riley was also involved in its creation.

They were both part of numerous Pocono-area organizations  – many with environmental ideals.

Price was the National Wildlife delegate for schools and a past president of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.

He was also a member of the Pocono Mountain School Board for 36 years (20 as president), a district governor of the Lions Club, and founder of the Seeing Eye Dogs of Monroe County. This is in addition to his 40-year career with Patterson Kelly in East Stroudsburg.

Riley, a former Brodhead Watershed Association president and treasurer, served on the state Game Commission, of which he was board president in 2005. He also served as president and treasurer for the PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.

He served on the Kettle Creek Environmental Fund for 20 years, and on the executive board of the Minsi Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America – one of his favorite causes.

He served many more civic organizations, including Headstart, Burnley Workshop and Optimist Club of the Stroudsburgs. He was also an award-winning certified public accountant.

“Conservationists and environmentalists in Pennsylvania today stand on the shoulders of people like Jim Price and John Riley,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of PennFuture, who considers Price and Riley his mentors in the environmental movement .

“As we face global environmental challenges, we mustn’t turn our backs on the legacy of environmental stewardship that generations before us have fostered to protect our Commonwealth for generations to come,” Schweiger added. “We must honor them.”

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Brodhead Watershed Association website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates.