The Lackawanna River Corridor Association, (LRCA), needs you to join with us as we work to conserve and protect the Lackawanna River and its watershed.

Founded in 1987, LRCA is a grass roots non-profit organization funded through membership, charitable gifts and grants.

The Mission of the LRCA is to involve the citizens of the Lackawanna River watershed with the conservation and stewardship of the river, its tributary streams and water re- sources. Our mission is achieved through four goals (developed in the Lackawanna River Citizens' Master Plan in 1990).

• Clean up the River and its environment. Deal with junkyards, toxic dumps, abandoned coal mine sites, acid mine drainage and sewer discharges.
• Develop a 40-mile Lackawanna River Trail along abandoned railroad grades (Rails-To-Trails) flood control levees, natural areas and existing parklands.
• Create a partnership among local, state and federal agencies, businesses and community groups to promote clean up, conservation and recreation projects.
• Develop partnerships with, schools, universities and the general public to promote environmental education conservation studies and research to better understand our local environment.

We updated the Plan in 2003 as the Lackawanna River Watershed Conservation Plan and added a fifth goal:

• Conserve open space and natural areas in our watershed.

The Lackawanna Valley Conservancy

Your support for the LRCA also helps the work of our affiliate, The Lackawanna Valley Conservancy (LVC). The Conservancy works with property owners and municipalities to help preserve areas in our watershed.

The LRCA and LVC are working to help preserve over 100,000 acres of natural and scenic watershed lands across our Region.

The River is better, cleaner and safer than it has been since the mid-1800's, but much more work is needed. LRCA has attracted over $30 million in federal and state funding for river clean up projects. These include projects addressing combined sewer overflows (CSO's) and acid mine drainage (AMD) where metal laden water flows from old mine tunnels into the river. Hundreds of acres of culm dumps and strip mine pits are targeted for reclamation as parks and community development projects.

Exciting plans for a waterfront complex in downtown Scranton have just been announced. Much like New Orleans, San Antonio, Texas and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, these plans bring great expectation for economic and quality of life improvements. A clean Lackawanna River is fundamental to success.

The River Needs You

LRCA is member-driven. Your Ideas and energy are vital to our work.

We need to speak with one voice for our River as we promote smart economic growth for our future. Your voice can help us educate and involve people and communities touched by our River.

There is trash to remove, trails and river access points to maintain. Your hands make this all possible.

Grants, corporate support and government funding comprise major sources of our funding. Your financial Support too is vital. 

Member Benefits

Membership in LRCA is growing. Having you on our member rolls lets government, business and civic leaders know that people really care. Your membership in LRCA helps our entire region.

Members receive River Currents, LRCA's bi-monthly newsletter.

Like to volunteer your time? LRCA conducts river and river trail cleanups. We partner with other area groups like the Voluntary Action Center, Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority and a variety of civic organizations for projects like tree planting and environmental fairs. We're active in the schools too and even facilitate a science-based regional river water quality assessment program called RiverWatch.

LRCA volunteers like to get outdoors. We organize hikes throughout the vast expanses of wilderness still available here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Tours are usually accompanied by interpretation that is both scientifically and historically informed.

LRCA members enjoy discounts on various products made for and by The Association. These include hats, T-shirts, polar fleeces, LRCA River-centered publications and much more.

Member benefits include mixers to meet and network, RiverWatch participation, hands-on environmental events, member alert emails and more.

The real benefit of joining the LRCA is the knowledge that you have stood up for a cleaner, better and safer Lackawanna River and watershed.

Your name on LRCA member rolls makes so much more possible. So please,

Join LRCA Today.

Nay Aug Gorge and Falls Area - Scranton