Rallying along the Lackawanna River for climate action

Rep. Matt Cartwright and NWF's Ed Perry

More than 50 citizens, conservation groups, and outdoor enthusiasts came out in force along Scranton's Lackawanna River on August 12 to support taking action on climate change as it impacts our waterways and wildlife across the country. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and PennFuture, with state and local partners, gathered at a press event for the release of Wildlife in Hot Water: Climate Change and America’s Waterways. This new NWF report highlighted how dramatic climate changes are putting our waterways at risk and what we must do to protect them. Rivers like the Lackawanna, seventeen miles of which is a Class A Wild Trout stream, are key economic and recreation drivers as well as natural treasures, as many of the speakers pointed out.


Speakers included U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, 17th Congressional District; Natalie Gelb, executive director of Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area; Bernie McGurl, executive director of the Lackawanna River Corridor Association; Dan Alters, Lycoming Audubon Society; Ed Perry, Pennsylvania outreach coordinator, National Wildlife Federation; and PennFuture Policy Director Matt Stepp.

Sen. Bob Casey's district director, Kristin Magnotta, was in attendance and supporters had the opportunity to thank the Senator for his recent statement on climate change. Representatives of other area groups included Lackawanna Trout Unlimited, SEEDS of Honesdale, Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, North Pocono CARE, members of conservation and faith communities, and citizens from around northeast Pennsylvania.

What can you do? Our U.S. senators will be critical in determining the fate of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Power Plan to address climate change. Please call on Sens. Casey and Toomey to publicly support the final rule. Make your voice heard today!

It was a great day along the Lackawanna River Trail for clean air and water -- and special thanks to the Lackawanna Heritage Valley staff for all their assistance on the trail location!

Kate Gibbons is Northeastern Pennsylvania outreach coordinator and is based in Wilkes-Barre.