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Little Miami Valley Watershed Network Commemorates 50 Years Of Scenic Rivers Act

UD River Stewards Summer Team during their 50 mile Float down the LMR in early June. (2016)
MVWN Facebook

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Act. The law was created by Congress in 1968 “to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations.”

To commemorate the anniversary, the Little Miami Watershed Network (LMWN) of local organizations are putting some extra effort in raising awareness of the river, its tributaries and their importance to the Miami Valley.

Hope Taft is the LMWN co-chair, and her goal this year is to give 50 talks - one for each year the law has been in effect. Toward that effort, LMWN and it’s partner organizations have partnered with print media outlets in Xenia, Fairborn and Beavercreek, in Greene County.

In this interview with WYSO, Taft tells us how the network’s 25  organizations in the upper region of the Little Miami River are working together to get their message out to the public.

Pile of Trash and Tires from Kleen Up of the LMR from the Narrows to the Washington Mills Launch Area. Eleven Canoes and 23 people participated. Many Thanks to the University of Dayton River Stewards for helping keep the Little Miami River Clean and Clear
Credit MVWN Facebook
Pile of Trash and Tires from Kleen Up of the LMR from the Narrows to the Washington Mills Launch Area. Eleven Canoes and 23 people participated. Many Thanks to the University of Dayton River Stewards for helping keep the Little Miami River Clean and Clear

She also talks about several upcoming events designed to get local residents onto the river for fun, friendship, and even a little cleanup.

LMWN partners include Glen Helen, Tecumseh Land Trust, Community Solutions, BW Greenway, Beavercreek  Wetlands, Greene County Parks & Trails, Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Parks , the Little Miami River Kleeners,  Rivers Unlimited, River Revival, and many more.

You can find out more information and keep up on LMWN events on their Facebook page.

Jerry began volunteering at WYSO in 1991 and hosting Sunday night's Alpha Rhythms in 1992. He joined the YSO staff in 2007 as Morning Edition Host, then All Things Considered. He's hosted Sunday morning's WYSO Weekend since 2008 and produced several radio dramas and specials . In 2009 Jerry received the Best Feature award from Public Radio News Directors Inc., and was named the 2023 winner of the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors Best Anchor/News Host award. His current, heart-felt projects include the occasional series Bulletin Board Diaries, which focuses on local, old-school advertisers and small business owners. He has also returned as the co-host Alpha Rhythms.