Latest News
Leadership Sullivan Visits River Valley
NARROWSBURG – Twenty members of the Leadership Sullivan Class of 2016 recently visited the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) office in Narrowsburg to hear an overview of how the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River came to be nationally designated for protection, how it is cooperatively managed, and exciting developments heading into 2016.
The Leadership Sullivan program is coordinated through the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a not-for-profit organization.
Its mission is to develop informed and committed leaders from all segments of the community who will apply their collective experience and skills to serve, strengthen and improve the quality of life for all people who live and work in Sullivan County.
During the 10-month leadership training program, class participants learn about topics important to Sullivan County residents and businesses, including education, health and human services, government and politics, the environment, culture, recreation, economic development, and the justice system.
The class also takes on a community impact service project designed to foster their skills in project development and management, team building, leadership and effective collaboration.
On October 7, coordinators Diane Levine, Susan Diamond, and Susan Hawvermale organized a Leadership Sullivan bus tour to various county sites.
It included a stop at UDC headquarters for a program on the Upper Delaware River Valley which forms the border between western Sullivan County in New York State and northeastern Pennsylvania.
Presentations were delivered by National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Superintendent Kristina Heister, UDC Resource Specialist Travis O’Dell, and UDC Executive Director Laurie Ramie, along with literature folders provided for the adults students’ further information.
Topics included a brief history of the Upper Delaware’s 1978 addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System by the United States Congress in recognition of its outstanding resource values; the 1988 establishment of the Upper Delaware Council as a non-profit organization to coordinate the federal, state, and local implementation of the River Management Plan for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River; the plans that are already underway by the Upper Delaware National Park Service unit to celebrate the agency’s 2016 Centennial Anniversary; and the 2002 state designation of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway to highlight the character, heritage, and beauty of the communities located along New York State Route 97.
