FUDR co-hosts 2021 Delaware River Sojourn

It’s been a few years since the first leg of the Delaware River Sojourn launched as far north as Hancock, NY but that’s where the annual paddling adventure began this year at an area of the river often referred to by local residents as “the Bard Parker pool” below the Becton-Dickinson plant.

The Sojourn’s roots go back to the late 1700’s when a local logger named Daniel Skinner lashed together an 80 foot raft made of cut timber and put in at Cochecton, NY on a 200-plus mile river journey to the Port of Philadelphia. His successful adventure was celebrated by many and earned him the nickname “Lord High Admiral of the Delaware River”, a title he kept until his death in 1813.

In the late 1990’s, under the leadership of the National Park Service, the tradition of naming a “Lord High Admiral” for each beat of the annual Sojourn began. The honor is bestowed upon individuals who make outstanding contributions to the conservation and stewardship of the river.

As a co-host of the event this year, FUDR Executive Director Jeff Skelding had the distinguished honor of introducing the 2021 High Admirals for two of the upper river “beats”. Dan Plummer, long time FUDR Board chair and river conservation hero received the admiral award for the Hancock to Buckingham beat. NY Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, a river champion in the NY State legislature, received the award for the Damascus PA to Narrowsburg NY beat. Congratulations to both on this well deserved recognition! 

For the River,

Jeff Skelding
skelding@fudr.org

P.S. Early Holiday Shopping Alert! Mark your calendars for our One Bug virtual auction September 6-20!