Since 1990, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has worked with local river conservation organizations across the Bay watershed to hold week-long paddling and camping trips that celebrate the rich history and ecology of the rivers that make up the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Evening programs involve not only Sojourners, but the local communities and the public at large. Programs are focused on educating people about the ecological, historical and economic importance of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The first Sojourn was held on the Susqehanna River over 15 years ago. This Sojourn has been so successful that the Alliance initiated similar events on other major river systems draining to the Chesapeake Bay. The 2005 James River Sojourn represented the latest of four, annual, multi-day events held within this watershed. This year's Sojourn began on June 24th with kick-off festivities and dinner at the Blackwater Creek Athletic Area in Lynchburg, continuing on a four day adventure downstream to the James River State Park. Throughout the week, paddlers took part in educational programs, riverside camping and meetings with elected officials in an effort to raise awareness needed to improve and protect the James watershed. On the last day, Sojourners participated in a clean-up of a 6.5 mile section of the James River from Bent Creek down to the Park.

The Sojourns provide not only an enjoyable river trip, but forge strong, lasting bonds of friendship between the participants and leave a deep appreciation in each of us of the importance of our rivers. For more information on the Sojourns and other programs sponsored by the Alliance, go to http://www.acb-online.org.

Garrie

(PS - Be sure to click on the thumbnails to bring up the full image)