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Gov. Shapiro proclaims June 2025 Rivers Month; Delaware River named 2025 River of the Year
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Summary
At an event, a presenter read a proclamation from Gov. Josh Shapiro declaring June 2025 Rivers Month and naming the Delaware River Pennsylvania’s 2025 River of the Year; speakers urged more public access and highlighted state river programs.
An event speaker said the Delaware River is recovering thanks to local stewards, and a presenter read a gubernatorial proclamation declaring June 2025 as Rivers Month and naming the Delaware River Pennsylvania’s 2025 River of the Year.
"The river is coming back, and it's due to people like you who love the river," said Speaker 1 (event speaker), summarizing community restoration efforts including tree planting and watershed protection and urging expanded access for swimming, fishing and paddling as temperatures rise.
A presenter identified in the transcript as Speaker 2 read the governor's proclamation, which notes: "Each year, Pennsylvania joins states across the nation in celebrating June as Rivers Month to emphasize the importance of all the Commonwealth's rivers" and lists state initiatives such as the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Program, the Coldwater Heritage Partnership Program, the Pennsylvania Scenic River Program and the River Towns Program. The proclamation text in the transcript states, "Therefore, I, not me, Josh Shapiro, governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim June 2025 as Rivers Month and encourage all Pennsylvanians to commit to protecting and conserving the quality of our river systems." Speaker 2 said they would present the proclamation to Josh Sakatansky.
Why it matters: advocates and officials are emphasizing both ecological recovery and public access. Speakers linked restoration efforts led by volunteers, local groups and agencies to measurable improvements in waterway health and urged that communities along the river be given safer, easier access as temperatures rise.
The proclamation cites multiple statewide programs that support river protection and restoration, naming the Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Program, the Coldwater Heritage Partnership Program, the Pennsylvania Scenic River Program and the River Towns Program. No dollar amounts, implementation timelines or specific new projects were announced in the transcript.
The event combined celebration and advocacy: organizers highlighted recent gains in river health and used the gubernatorial proclamation to call for continued stewardship and broader access for residents.
The transcript does not record formal votes or next procedural steps beyond the presenter’s statement that the proclamation will be presented to Josh Sakatansky.
