Upper Delaware River (UDR) Watershed Network Newsletter

Hello!

In the last several years there has been a noticeable increase in watershed protection and restoration activities by a wide diversity of stakeholders in New York’s Upper Delaware River. 

As a group that plays a leadership role in watershed planning and protection, Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) will be circulating this quarterly electronic newsletter to the many organizations who play a role in protecting and restoring the UDR watershed. 

Over the years we’ve been able to identify many passionate watershed protectors, and we want to make sure everybody is kept informed about the wide variety of exciting activities in the watershed that are planned or underway.  

Little Beaverkill stream restoration project before and after. Project completed by Trout Unlimited and partners.

We will be relaying stories about stream restoration projects, watershed plans, coalition building, river recreation opportunities, and important policy developments that impact our watershed. 

We will also include a list of watershed events and activities that our partners are working on to encourage participation and make people aware of all the good work happening throughout the watershed.  

Finally, in each newsletter we will be featuring a different watershed partner and highlighting the great work they are engaged in! In this newsletter, please take a moment to read about the Upper Delaware Council (UDC). UDC Executive Director Laurie Ramie explains the role of the UDC, their priority programs, and opportunities for the public to engage. Laurie’s organization, and the river-based municipalities that represent the UDC are a great example of an organization working effectively to protect the watershed! 

Featured Watershed Partner - Upper Delaware Council

To promote “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work” Day on May 17, attendees at the Upper Delaware Council’s May 2nd meeting led by example.

“The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) was created and mandated in 1988 by an Act of Congress. It oversees a partnership of Federal, two States, and local governments to manage the 73.4-mile designated Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River that encompasses 55,574.5 acres within the two-state, five-county region. The UDC fills a vital role in the relationship between the National Park Service and the local communities, protecting home rule authority, safeguarding private property rights, and advising towns/townships on meeting the River Management Plan Land and Water Use Guidelines. The 501(c)3 organization has been funded through a federal allocation, flat since its inception, with neither the State of New York nor the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania contributing their anticipated shares. Despite funding challenges, the UDC continues to meet its core oversight responsibilities set out in the federal legislation for the benefit of the more than 250,000 visitors each year and all those fortunate enough to live in the Upper Delaware River Valley. For more information, visit www.upperdelawarecouncil.org, call (845) 252-3022, or follow the Upper Delaware Council on Instagram (@upperdelawarecouncil) and Facebook www.facebook.com/UpperDelawareCouncil).”

The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) office building located in Narrowsburg, NY.

Thanks for taking a moment to read the UDR Network Watershed Newsletter! We hope it helps you gain a broader understanding of all the work happening in the watershed and provides you with an opportunity to meet new partners, learn new strategies, and identify opportunities to strengthen your watershed work! 

If there is an activity or event that your organization would like featured in the next newsletter, please email info@fudr.org. To learn more about the UDR Watershed Network visit our website https://www.udrwatershed.org.

-The UDR Watershed Network Team

Activities and Important Dates