Schuylkill River Heritage Area To Honor Advocates Of The River

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area will honor a business, a government leader, and a local volunteer for protecting the rivershed.

Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation Secretary Leslie S. Richards, Sly Fox Brewing Co. Managing Partner John Giannopoulos, and Heritage Area Volunteer Brian Swisher will each be recognized for their distinct conservation contributions.

All three will be honored at the upcoming 'An Evening for the Schuylkill River, set for March 18 at the historic Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Reading.

“These awards provide an opportunity for us to thank and recognize three of our key partners who assist us in our work to build, maintain, improve and promote the Schuylkill River Trail and the Schuylkill River Water Trail,” said Heritage Area Interim Executive Director Tim Fenchel in a statement.

The Heritage Area said that Richards is being honored for the role she has played in advocating for recreation and trails at the state and local level.

Sly Fox, meanwhile, helps organize cleanups and sponsor events on the trail, in addition to brewing the SRT Ale. They've donated nearly $9,000 to the trail through the sale of SRT Ale, the Heritage Area said.

Swisher, meanwhile, has spent "thousands of hours" designing 'A Paddler's Guide to the Schuylkill River Water Trail,' a detailed guide that will serve as an invaluable tool for those who spend time on the water.

In 2016, these Schuylkill River Legacy Awards were given to DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn and Exelon Corp.

Image via Schuylkill River Heritage Area