Projects awarded funding advance Pennsylvania Water Trail Program goals such as--
-- Creating recreational opportunities for all Pennsylvanians on Water Trails;
-- Developing trails that support sustainable use of natural resources;
-- Increasing physical and inclusive access to and use of Water Trails;
-- Linking diverse community members with accessible on-water paddling experiences, improving the paddling experience through education, signage, and mapping, and connecting water trails to land trails or to other culturally significant community assets.
The grants were awarded to--
-- Delaware Riverkeeper Network was awarded $7,000 to educate and empower a corps of community science volunteer monitors to help survey the Delaware River Water Trail, for the spread of Hydrilla verticillata.
This program will include in-person training for volunteer monitors, volunteer monitor flotilla trips, and outreach by trained volunteer monitors at recreation area hotspots/boat launches along the Delaware River Water Trail to share information on displaced species as well as the best management practices (BMPs) to limit the spread of invasives.
Volunteers will help DRN survey the mainstem Delaware River using kayaks, snorkels, and visual assessment methods.
Trained volunteer monitors will undertake outreach at high traffic access points during the summer months to other river users of all ages who come to enjoy the river and launch boats, kayaks, or canoes.
-- Friends of the Riverfront was awarded $4,200 for the continuation of the Train on the Trail series, with a specific focus on the Three Rivers Water Trail.
Train on the Trail provides enrichment opportunities for volunteers and trail users to gain introductory knowledge and skills that enhance their recreational experience.
In tandem with Train on the Water Trail events, Friends of the Riverfront will host five volunteer stewardship events.
These events will activate interest, promote water-based participation, and beautify each location in advance of Train on the Trail programming.
Through these activities and events, volunteers learn proper waste handling and Leave No Trace practices, gain river skills that promote safety and good on water navigation, deepen their understanding of river ecology and watershed systems, develop leadership and data collection skills, and celebrate the water trail's history, culture, and community connections.
-- Penn Soil RC&D Council, a key partner of the Conewango Water Trail manager the Conewango Watershed Association, was awarded $6,800 to extend their new water safety and environmental education workshops held at community events and waterway venues in the northwest corner of PA plus assist with local Water Trail River Cleanups in the region.
Penn Soil will provide instruction on how to properly fit children and adults for PFD's, how to signal for help in remote locations, paddling signals when on the water, state waterway regulations, local Water Trail map information, environmental and weather-related hazard education, float plans, how to recognize a drowning victim and how to rescue a drowning victim in different water venue scenarios including how to use a throw ring and throw bag, hypothermia and hyperthermia and relevant information on water safety, swimming and kayaking skills for individuals with special needs.
-- Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area was awarded $6,500 to improve the Peter Yarnell Landing on the Schuylkill River Water Trail by eliminating safety hazards, improving ecological sustainability with restorative landscaping, and maintaining accessible parking.
Work on the landing will include removal of dead and dying trees within the park, re-grading two low-lying areas that create drainage problems, and planting native, floodplain tolerant trees and shrubs to improve habitat quality and support local biodiversity.
Additionally, this project will include parking improvements to maintain ease of accessibility.
-- Susquehanna Greenway Partnership was awarded $1,000 to update, restock, and expand key educational and outreach materials that foster deeper public engagement with the Susquehanna River Water Trail and its surrounding communities.
The award will support the reprinting and revision of two of SGP’s most utilized resources—the Confluence Area Paddling Booklet and Upper West Branch Paddling Booklet.
-- Swatara Watershed Association was awarded $2,500 to provide trail users with the tools and information they need to be safe and conscientious users of the Swatara Creek Water Trail, while building relationships with SWA and instilling a sense of community ownership of the creek.
The Swatara Watershed Association will hold 3-4 outreach events at heavily used public access points, targeting both large groups and small groups of users of the water trail.
This project is in direct response to recent increases in use of the trail by community members who have had limited introduction and instruction on river safety, etiquette, and stewardship opportunities.
-- Venture Outdoors was awarded $7,000 to activate their newly built and fully accessible downtown Pittsburgh kayak dock, the Downtown Community Hub, by implementing targeted outreach and programming to ensure that historically marginalized and underrepresented community members can experience the benefits of recreation on Pennsylvania water trails.
This effort will specifically include regular affinity group paddle trips that are led by representatives of the community and ensure that the outreach and program development are tailored to support each group.
Participants will benefit by improving their physical and mental health and wellness while building social connections, encouraging environmental stewardship, and sparking a sense of wonder for the natural world.
Congratulations to these organizations whose projects will improve access, awareness, and connections for communities to their local Pennsylvania Water Trail!
PA Water Trail Program
The Pennsylvania Water Trail Program is administered by PEC in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Fish and Boat Commission, and the US National Parks Service and serves to promote and maintain the Pennsylvania Water Trails Program's network of creeks and rivers offering exceptional recreational opportunities for non-motorized boating.
The Pennsylvania Water Trail Partnership along with all the Water Trail Managers work to achieve a common vision that includes:
-- Developing more water trails in Pennsylvania;
-- Strengthening connections between existing water trails to promote a system of trails;
-- Marketing and promoting Pennsylvania water trails;
-- Sharing technical assistance, tools and resources among local managers for long-term maintenance, stewardship, and sustainable and equitable access;
-- Promoting national recognition of Pennsylvania’s water trails; and
-- Enhancing opportunities for citizen stewardship of local water resources.
A new 2025-2029 Water Trail Program Strategic Action Plan helps set priorities for the grant program and other actions to support the program.
PEC has administered the PA Water Trail Mini-Grant program since 2017. Mini-grant funding is financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, under the administration of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
Visit the PA Water Trail webpage for more information on designated trails across the state.
Click Here for the PEC announcement.
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s mission is to protect and restore the natural and built environments through innovation, collaboration, education, and advocacy.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, PEC Bill/Regulation Tracker, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on Facebook. Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.
Related Articles This Week:
-- Penn State Extension: Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania Program - April 6 to June 1 [PaEN]
-- PA Environmental Council Awards $35,000 In PA Water Trail Mini-Grants To Support 7 Local Projects [PaEN]
-- Western PA Conservancy: Local Families Donate More Than 2,400 Acres Of Forestland On Chestnut Ridge In Westmoreland County [PaEN]
-- Western PA Conservancy Protects 652 Acres Of Forestland in Fayette County Transferred To Forbes State Forest [PaEN]
-- Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy Partners With Landowner Allen Jones To Conserve 230 Acres In Snyder, Mifflin Counties [PaEN]
-- Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy Partners With Robin Read, John Bierley To Conserve 116 Acres In Lycoming County [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Susquehanna Greenway Partnership: Quick Guide To Winter Hiking
-- Warren Times: Therapist Takes Clinic To The Outdoors
-- Scranton Times: Up A Tree: From High Peaks In 67 Counties, Van Wagner Sees The Beauty And Value Of Forests [PDF of Article]
-- Williamsport Sun/Spotlight PA: Battle For Heart, Health Of Allegheny National Forest [PDF of Article]
-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Radnor Twp. Moves To Acquire 14 Acres Of Valley Forge Military Academy By Eminent Domain For New Recreation Center, Park In Delaware County
-- TribLive: ATV, UTV Permit Process Streamlined For Gilpin, Bethel, Parks Townships, Allegheny County
-- TribLive: Derry Plans To Spotlight Bigfoot At Proposed New Borough Park In Westmoreland County
-- Observer-Reporter: 2 Washington County Parks Accepting Christmas Trees For Fish Habitats
-- Post-Gazette - Mary Ann Thomas: PA Researchers Will Be First In The Country To Create A Firefly Inventory, Supported By DCNR Grant
-- WFMJ: Shenango River Watchers Host Jan. 10 Eagle Fest 2026 At Shenango River Lake In Mercer County
[Posted: January 8, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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