At this time of year, our awareness of the countless things for which to be thankful is raised by the arrival of Thanksgiving. Those of us living in the regions surrounding the Delaware River are especially blessed to receive the precious gifts bestowed by the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi—a waterway of breathtaking majesty.

In 2010, the Delaware River was named by the environmental advocacy organization American Rivers as America’s Most Endangered River due to the threat of fracking for natural gas. Ten years later, in April 2020, American Rivers announced its selection for River of the Year: the Delaware River.

The honor recognizes the river’s “momentous progress for water quality, river restoration and community revitalization” that has occurred over the last 75 years due to the diligent work of many organizations and individuals.

The Delaware River Watershed Initiative (DRWI) is encouraging all who value our beloved river to sing its praises via social media over the holiday weekend. DWRI is a collaboration working across four states (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware) to protect one shared source of clean water (www.4states1source.org).

Its mission is to protect the rivers and streams that provide drinking water for more than 13 million people. Launched by the William Penn Foundation in 2014, the DRWI coordinates the work of more than 50 organizations funded by the foundation (www.williampennfoundation.org/delaware-river-watershed-initiative).

Carve out a little time over the Thanksgiving weekend to feed the flow of gratitude for our beloved river. Help to create a virtual river of thanks for the waterway that has called to countless hearts, soothed many a ravaged spirit and nourished innumerable life forms throughout its watershed.

When sharing the reasons why you are grateful for the Delaware River, make sure to use the hashtag #Grateful4theDelaware. Following are a few examples from DWRI to get you started:

• We’re thankful for the preserved open spaces that improve natural wildlife habitat and protect water quality so that we all have cleaner, healthier drinking water! #Grateful4theDelaware
• [More than] 90 species of fish rely on the #DelawareRiver including the migrating shad. That’s 90 reasons why we’re #Grateful4theDelaware!
• We are #Grateful4theDelaware all year round, as each season provides beautiful views and a variety of recreation[al] activities!
• We are #Grateful4theDelaware and the many organizations who provide education and recreation along it, especially now during the #COVID19 pandemic.