Susquehanna River Trail project

The mission of the Susquehanna River Trail project is to promote environmentally responsible recreation on the Susquehanna River and its islands. The trail encourages resource awareness, stewardship, and conservation. Spearheaded by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Susquehanna River Trail is the first modern water trail in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and one of a growing number of water trail projects in North America.

Background

The 54 mile river trail will extend from Sunbury to Harrisburg, incorporating 20 publicly owned islands designated for day use and primitive camping. PA Fish and Boat Commission access sites serve as trail heads with enticing, signage welcoming visitors to the River Trail.

Printed trail guides provide detailed information and maps to encourage safe exploration. They also include background on the ecology and natural and human history of the river corridor and its connection to the Chesapeake Bay. Low-impact camping guidelines help visitors tread lightly on the river's resources. Campgrounds, outfitters, and boating stores in and near the trail corridor are listed. The guide will also include explicit instructions on how to get more involved with watershed restoration and stewardship.

The River Trail is managed in partnership by PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources, the PA Fish & Boat Commission, the City of Harrisburg, and a nonprofit Susquehanna River Trail Association (initially, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay). Volunteer groups adopt islands and access sites, and serve as stewards for maintenance, monitoring resource impacts, and tracking public use. Management techniques and use levels will continually be evaluated to insure resource protection and a positive experience for the visitor.

Copies of the trail guide can be purchased at retailers listed at: www.SusquehannaRiverTrail.org

Benefits

• Water trails help to promote the discovery of the watershed's wonders. By encouraging responsible exploration of our rivers, we build a river ethic in our citizens.

• Trail guides, river exploration and educational programming—all part of this project—nurture a citizenry that will be more aware and knowledgeable about their river and its connection to the Chesapeake Bay.

• Water trails, especially those in urban areas, build new river constituencies and afford new and meaningful recreation opportunities to city residents, especially minority youth.

• The focus on empowering volunteers in resource stewardship is a valuable lesson with far reaching implications.

• Water trails are a great example of ecotourism, demonstrating a more sustainable approach to river recreation.