4 minute read
Schuylkill Action Network Celebrates 20-Year Milestone
By Kaitie Evers, PDE’s SAN Coordinator
Decades ago, the Schuylkill River had problems. Pollution from septic systems, combined sewers, farm runoff, and abandoned mine drainage threatened the Schuylkill as a drinking water source and kept people from enjoying the watershed for recreation.
When a Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) study identified these impacts, it was time to take action. Therefore, PWD, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other partners formed the Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) to turn things around.
Today, the SAN is a thriving and dedicated network of more than 300 partner organizations acting as stewards for the Schuylkill River Watershed. Millions of Pennsylvanians rely on the Schuylkill for drinking water and regularly use the river for fishing, kayaking, and more.
“So you’re seeing a recovery; breaking down of the fear of the river when there was a time when the river was well worth avoiding,” said SAN member John Jackson of Stroud Water Research Center during an interview to reflect on SAN’s history. “That’s not now. The SAN provides a platform, a voice to help people see that and those concerns of the past, while not completely gone, are very different today.”
In November, the SAN celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its history. Held at the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, Pennsylvania, the event brought together a diverse group of about 80 partners under the theme “Then, Now, and the Future.”
The meeting underscored the power of partnerships and collective action in addressing the challenges facing the Schuylkill River Watershed.
Kelly Anderson, Director of PWD’s Office of Watersheds, opened the celebration by highlighting the evolution of SAN’s efforts, from early initiatives to address river pollution to current and future priorities for watershed health. A documentary called SAN Stories captured the network’s achievements over the past two decades and shared experiences of its members, illustrating the lasting impact of community and collaboration in environmental conservation.
“It’s only gotten better over time because we have learned,” SAN partner Larry Lloyd of Berks Nature said in the film. “We have our past that we’re learning from, and we’re always adapting. So, after adapting to the whole farm approach, then we moved to drinking water and source water protection planning which has opened up another huge avenue for SAN.”
A founder's panel provided insights into SAN's early days and visions for its future, while workgroup updates showcased ongoing efforts across various sectors, emphasizing the importance of continued innovation and engagement.
"I work in eight states, and I have yet to see anything like the Schuylkill Action Network," said Chris Crockett, chief environmental safety and sustainability officer for Aqua, an Essential Utilities Company, commenting on the SAN’s ability over the past two decades to synchronize various organizations toward a common mission and to keep it going for the next 20 years.
This anniversary meeting celebrated past successes and set the stage for future endeavors, reinforcing SAN’s role as a model for effective collaboration and community involvement.
Read more about the event and Schuylkill Action Network in the "SAN Connections" publication.
To view the SAN Stories video, visit: https://bit.ly/sanstories20
To view more photos from the event, visit our Flickr page: https://bit.ly/20san.
STRONG COMMUNITIES/ GOAL 2 IMPROVE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT / STRATEGY C2.4 AND C2.6
