Coming Together for Clean Streams and Rivers

The ninth annual Lancaster Water Week was an energizing celebration of our streams and rivers! During over 60 events hosted by dozens of partners, our community paddled on the Conestoga and Susquehanna rivers, went on walks and bike rides to learn about our waterways and clean water projects, connected with our streams and rivers at community celebrations, stomped through creeks, enjoyed music outdoors, volunteered to clean up litter around our waterways, and more.

This Water Week, we gave away over 2,000 native trees, shrubs, and pollinator plugs with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership. These native plants help absorb and filter runoff and protect our waterways while also providing habitat for wildlife.

There are approximately 1,400 miles of streams and rivers in Lancaster County, and over 75% of them are impaired. It’s a daunting statistic, but Water Week is a reminder of the impact we can have – and are already having – to improve the health of our waterways. During Water Week, we saw how farmers are creating forested riparian buffers to protect water flowing through their farms. We learned how faith communities are creating rain gardens and planting native trees on their grounds. We observed water-quality-sensitive macroinvertebrates living in local streams, demonstrating that it is possible to restore our waterways.

There are many stories of hope for waterways in Lancaster County, and Water Week is a time when we celebrate these successes and are motivated to take on the work needed to care for our streams and rivers. When you plant native trees and shrubs, you’re making a positive difference. When you pick up trash from along streambanks, you’re making a positive difference. When you learn about your watershed and the actions you can take to protect it, you’re making a positive difference.

Thank you to everyone who participated in Lancaster Water Week and to the sponsors and partners who made the week possible! Let’s keep the momentum going and continue striving for clean streams and rivers all year long!

Check out photos from Water Week: