The eighth annual Lancaster Water Week, spearheaded by the Lancaster Conservancy and supported by sponsors including presenting sponsor the High Foundation, will run from June 7 through 15, 2024, celebrating 1,400 miles of streams and rivers in the county that serve as sources of drinking water and drive economic and agricultural growth.

These waterways also allow residents to escape into nature to fish, paddle and swim. However, more than half are currently polluted, so the Conservancy and many community partners are taking action to restore these precious waterways to health in this lifetime. Throughout Water Week, the Conservancy, along with the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, will be giving away free native trees, shrubs and wildflower seeds to help everyone become involved in rewilding for clean water.

Conservancy Marketing and Communications Manager Avery Van Etten says, “Created in 2017, Water Week celebrates many partners, organizations and volunteers caring for our waterways. This year’s Water Week includes more than 60 events hosted by a variety of partners providing opportunities to learn, explore and act to protect our waterways. They include a First Friday celebration in downtown Lancaster, music and wetland tours at Long’s Park, paddles on the Conestoga and Susquehanna rivers, workshops at the Lancaster Science Factory, creek stomps, tours of restoration and rewilding efforts, volunteer cleanups and more.”

The theme of this year’s Water Week is Rewilding for Clean Water. The concept of rewilding concerns conserving, restoring, expanding and connecting natural spaces to protect waterways, wildlife and communities. Replacing lawn with native trees, shrubs and flowers is one way to rewild. Replanting forested buffers along streams at farms or corporate campuses is another. Native trees and plants soak up and filter stormwater runoff, protecting the quality of streams and rivers while providing food and shelter for wildlife.

Conservancy President and CEO Fritz Schroeder says, “At the Conservancy, our job is to find, fund, preserve and maintain natural lands in Lancaster and York counties so that the community and visitors to the region can enjoy them for years to come. The Conservancy manages 50 nature preserves and over 70 conservation easements—over 8,000 acres in total. Our preserves are managed to create habitat for animals, to protect plants and trees and to provide public access to nature. Through educational programs, volunteer opportunities and partnership, the Conservancy engages and activates community members of all ages to protect and restore our natural lands.”