The Delaware Bay has a Champion!

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary wants you to support Meghan Wren as she becomes the third person to ever swim Delaware Bay!

Meghan Wren, founder and executive director of the Bayshore Center at Bivalve, will swim across Delaware Bay on August 3 to help raise money and awareness of the importance it has in all of our lives.

Please come out to the kick-off party for supporters at JP's Wharf in North Bowers Beach (201 Hubbard Ave., Frederica, DE) this Friday, from 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets are available by calling (856) 785-2060, extension 108, or online at BayshoreDiscovery.org (select "Click HERE for Tickets!" and look for August 2).

Wren will arrive at Port Mahon, Delaware (near Dover) at approximately 6:30 a.m. this Saturday in preparation for a 7 a.m. start, conditions permitting (times subject to change).

The swim should take approximately 8 to 10 hours. Spectators, well-wishers, and bay lovers alike are invited to spend the afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.) on Fortescue Beach in Fortescue, New Jersey on Saturday, where activities will include a children's fishing contest, beach games, and t-shirt sales. This "Bash on the Beach for the Bay" will include casual music by Fortescue resident Steve Byrne. Refreshments will be available, and the Fortescue Grille (102 Delaware Ave.) will open at 1 p.m. for the occasion.

A flotilla of kayakers and pre-registered swimmers will meet Wren as she nears the beach to escort her in. Please e-mail SWIMDelawareBay@gmail.com if you're interested in kayaking or swimming.

Also, the iconic MISS FORTESCUE will board supporters to cheer Wren on as she approaches the Jersey coast. For a $50 donation, you too can join this historic event. Get your tickets by calling (856) 785-2060, extension 108, or online at BayshoreDiscovery.org (select "Click HERE for Tickets!" and look for August 3). Then gather at State Marina Dock 13 at 1 p.m.

After the successful SWIM, Wren and Team SWIM will gather in the gallery of the Fortescue Chapel, which will be open from 1 to 4 p.m., for closing ceremonies.

By taking on this personal challenge, Wren hopes to raise $25,000 for the protection and preservation of the Delaware Bay. Donations are being accepted at SWIMDelawareBay.org, and these are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Interboro Students Paddle at Heinz Refuge

Interboro High School "Environmentors" Hit the Heinz

Six rising Seniors from Interboro High School in Delaware County got the opportunity to kayak on the Darby Creek this week. The students are part of an extracurricular group called the "Environmentors". The students have visited the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge throughout the spring, putting together environmental education materials for younger students. With the help of the Heinz Refuge's Environmental Education Specialist, Erika Scarborough, the students produced two activity books to be used by kindergarten and fourth grade students.

On Wednesday, six of the students and four of their teachers from Interboro High School got in kayaks and paddled down the Darby Creek and into the vast tidal estuary that the Heinz Refuge protects. Although they had all been to the Heinz Refuge before, this was the first time any of them had been on the Darby Creek, and a first experience kayaking for several of them as well.

Best of all, the outing was led by a Tidal Delaware River Ambassador, Jason Mifflin. Thanks to Jason, the Environmentors, and the Heinz Refuge for an excellent morning of paddling.

River Ambassador Projects

Tidal Delaware River Ambassadors Hold Clean Up at Glen Foerd on the Delaware

What a delightful day!!  It began with a 7AM to 9AM bird walk on an exquisitely beautiful day along the Delaware River.....and continued with the clean up of the Poquessing Creek and the cutting down of invasive plants along the banks. Simultaneously tours were going on within the Glen Foerd historic mansion.   It was heartwarming to see the community come together to help beautify the creek and the grounds of Glen Foerd.  Members of the Friends of the Poquessing, PEC members, Hold Family College staff and students, and board members, staff and supporters of Glen Foerd all pulled together to make for a productive, fun and informative day.

Thanks to everyone who came and look out for announcements about future projects!

Bristol Floating Dock Announcement

BIG News for Bristol Waterfront

Watch the video below to see Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick announcing that Bristol Borough has been awarded a $1.5 million Boating Infrastructure Grant.

Congratulations to all of our partners in the area. This is great news for the Tidal Delaware Water Trail.

2012 Season of Paddle Penn's Landing!

Have you paddled in the Delaware River yet? 

Join us for our fourth season of Paddle Penn's Landing, and join over 8,000 people who can now say, "I have  paddled in the Delaware River!" We have single and tandem kayaks, as well as swan boats ready for your paddling pleasure. See flyer for more information - and we'll see you out there!

Events on the Delaware: Spring 2012

Don’t miss these exciting spring events on the Delaware River!

Horseshoe Crab Census

Help the Delaware National Estuarine Reserve (DNEER) count horseshoe crabs during the annual spring survey in May and June at Ted Harvey Wildlife Area, Kitts Hummock and North Bowers beaches.

Volunteer training sessions are held at the St. Jones Reserve, 818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover. Session Dates: April 5^th, 6:00-7:30 pm and April 14^th, 10:00-11:30 am

For more information: contact Jennifer Holmes at 739-3436 or Jennifer.Holmes@state.de.us. Registration: http://de.gov/dnerrhscsurvey

PEC Silent Auction

Support all of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s efforts on the Delaware River and throughout Pennsylvania at PEC’s Silent Auction.

Date: Saturday, April 14^th 2012 5:30 – 7:30

Place: Corinthian Yacht Club

More Information: http://www.pecpa.org/silentauction2012

Lardner’s Point Ribbon Cutting

Celebrate the opening of Philadelphia’s newest riverfront park.

May 14th at 10:00 A.M., Lardner’s Point (just downstream of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge)

Delaware River City Corporation Spring Fling

Support the Delaware River City Corporation at their annual Spring Fling.

Date: May 17^th 2012 5:00pm

Place: Bridesburg Outdoor Motor Club

Delaware River Day

Join in events at Penn’s Landing and the Seaport Museum that celebrate the Delaware River.

Date: Saturday, May 19^th

Paddle Penn’s Landing Kick-off

Start the summer off right with a Paddle on the Delaware River. A summer of paddling and kayaking will start Memorial Day Weeken.

Date: May 25th

Northwind Sail

Tour the Delaware River on the Sailboat Northwind. Learn about the history and ecology of the river.

Dates: Saturday, May 26^th and Saturday, July 7^th (rain date: 7/14)

Deloitte Impact Day

Help clean-up Little Tinicum Island.

Date: June 8^th

Delaware River Sojourn

Join in a seven-day guided paddling trip on the wild and scenic Delaware River. Not up for seven days? Go to Tidal Day to paddle the river.

Date: Saturday, June 20^th

Website: http://www.delawareriversojourn.org/

Paddler's Guide to the Delaware River

Longtime paddler Gary Letcher wrote the book on canoeing the Delaware River. The most recent edition is now available - and mentions the Tidal Delaware River Water Trail! A Paddler's Guide to the Delaware River is a resource for kayakers, canoeists, or anyone who wants to know more about this majestic river, its ecology and its people.

The book, which also features a moving forward by Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, is available online at www.delawareriverguide.com