Community celebration along river returns to Lackawanna County
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A community celebration along the Lackawanna River on Saturday brought attention to local conservation efforts. Riverfest marked its return to spring for the first time since the pandemic.
Paddlers made a five-mile journey down the Lackawanna River from Riverfront Park in Dickson City to Sweeney's Beach in Scranton.
A post-paddle event was held, featuring live music, food vendors, and educational exhibits promoting environmental awareness.
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'We definitely love to support efforts of conservation, especially in our own communities, and it sort of speaks to this bigger picture of what we're doing here and teaching about some of the environmental history and resources here in Scranton, Pennsylvania,' Steamtown National Historic Site Park Ranger Jessica Nielsen stated.
'Our community roots program reminds people to plant native species, it's part of our reminder to care about the environment. And really just enjoy nature's beauty, and caring about the environment is very important to us,' PPL Lead Environmental Professional Meg Welker told 28/22 News.
Riverfest supports the Lackawanna River Conservation Association (LRCA).
The event is their biggest fundraiser of the year, and all proceeds go to the LRCA's efforts to protect and preserve the river.
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