Lackawaxen is 2010 'Pennsylvania River of Year'

Steeped in a wealth of natural bounties and historical significance shaping northeast Pennsylvania's ecology and communities for centuries, the Lackawaxen River is the "Pennsylvania River of the Year" for 2010, as selected by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

"A recreational treasure renowned for its fly-fishing and canoeing, the Lackawaxen harbors a wealth of bird and animal species," DCNR acting secretary John Quigley said. "The waterway also drains the forests of the Pocono Plateau, a largely rural and conservation-minded landscape where communities live closely connected to their environment.

"It is this vital connection of local residents and visitors to the Lackawaxen that we strive to promote and protect with our selection. Those bonds can only be strengthened through a series of educational events planned throughout the year by the river's supporters."

A mecca for birders hoping to glimpse abundant bald eagles and for trout fishermen who are drawn to its clean, cold waters, the Lackawaxen River flows nearly 25 miles through three counties before joining the Delaware River at Lackawaxen, Pike County. It is where the late American author Zane Grey lived with his family in the early 1900s, honing a love of fly fishing and other outdoors pursuits, and the historic farmhouse, now the Zane Grey Museum, is maintained by the National Park Service.

Running parallel to sections of the Lackawaxen, is the Delaware and Lehigh Canal, and Wallenpaupack Creek and Lake Wallenpaupack Reservoir drain into the river near Hawley. The Lackawaxen River watershed encompasses 600 square miles across 26 municipalities in three fast-growing northeastern counties Pike, Lackawanna and Wayne.

Along with three other nearby counties Monroe, Luzerne and Carbon the region has been designated the Pocono Forest and Waters Conservation Landscape, one of seven geographical areas targeted by DCNR and conservation organizations for wide-ranging attempts to conserve natural resources and enhance the quality of life they so often support.

For more event information, contact the Lackawaxen River Conservancy at info@lackawaxenriver.org or visit on the Web at www.lackawaxenriver.org.

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Bloomsburg Early Bird Sports Expo promoter Dave Broadt is today's guest on "Experience the Outdoors" with Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association member Doyle Dietz on Oldies 1410-AM, from 7:30-8 a.m., and Sunday, on Magic, WMGH, 105.5-FM, from 9:30-10 a.m. Rebroadcasts are on the Web at www.wmgh.com by clicking on the "Experience The Outdoors" link.

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This year's first quarterly meeting of the Pennsylvania Game Commission board of game commissioners will be Sunday-Tuesday, Jan. 24-26, at agency headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81, Harrisburg.

Sunday, Jan. 24, beginning at 1 p.m., the board will hear public recommendations for the 2010-11 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits. Doors will open at noon, and individuals interested in offering public testimony, which is limited to five minutes, may begin to register at noon on a first-come, first-to-speak basis.

Monday, Jan. 25, the board will gather any additional public comments and hear PGC staff reports beginning at 8:30 a.m. Doors open at 7:45 a.m., and registration for those interested in offering public testimony also will begin at that time.

Tuesday, Jan. 26, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the board will take up its prepared agenda, including giving approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2010-11. Doors open at 7:45 a.m.

Antlerless deer license allocations for the 2010-11 seasons will be presented for the board to consider at its meeting in April. Harvest results from the 2009-10 deer seasons will be announced in mid-March.

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Here is the schedule of upcoming sports and outdoors shows:

Garden State Outdoor Sportsmen's Show: today and Sunday, New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, Raritan Center, Edison, N.J. For information, call 732-417-1400 or access the website at www.gsoss.com.

Early Bird Sports Expo: Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 28-31, Bloomsburg Fair Ground, Bloomsburg. Show hours: Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call the show office at 570-594-0250 or access the Web site at www.earlybirdexpo.com.

Wild Sheep Foundation Eastern Chapter Hunting and Fishing Show: Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 28-30, Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center, Lancaster. Show hours: Thursday, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call the chapter office at 717-336-3743 or access the website at www.ecfnaws.org.

Leesport Sportsman's Show and Flea Market: Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Leesport Farmers Market. For information, call Ralph Reber at 610-944-9376.

Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show: Saturday, Feb. 6-Sunday, Feb. 14, Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. Show hours: Saturday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday-Saturday, Feb. 8-13, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, access the show Web site at www.easternsportshow.com

Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sport Show: Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 25-28, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave., Oaks. Show hours: Thursday and Friday, 12:30-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call 610-431-4315 or access on the Web at www.sportshows.com.

"Wildlife Art Expo," Saturday, March 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Environmental Education Center, Montour Preserve, Washingtonville. For information, call Jon Beam at 570-437-3131.