River program planned Thursday at Greenways event

From staff reports

A free public program on the Allegheny River will be presented Thursday in Franklin.

Local historian Carolee Michener will discuss “How the Allegheny River Shaped Human History” during the annual Greenways Awards ceremony at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Franklin Trailhead just off Route 322 east of Franklin.

This is a free public event and all ages are welcome. Reservations aren’t needed.

This year’s Greenways Awards are focused on people and projects along the river in honor of its selection as “Pennsylvania River of the Year 2017.”

Each Greenways Award recipient will receive a certificate at the event and then will indicate a spot along the riverbanks in either Venango or Clarion County where a serviceberry tree will be planted in their honor this autumn. A custom brass plaque will be positioned at the tree’s base.

Penn Soil Resource Conservation and Development Council is sponsoring the event utilizing a “River of the Year 2017” grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Information about this recreational corridor and watershed will be available at the program, including a schedule of special events planned along the full length of the waterway.

More information about the Council on Greenways and Trails and a list of previous recipients of the annual Greenways Awards, may be found online at www.nwpagreenways.org.