15th Annual World Rivers Day Set for September 22nd - World Rivers Day Celebrates the Values of Rivers, Increases Awareness, and Encourages River Conservation

Burnaby, Canada, September 16, 2019 --(PR.com)-- World Rivers Day celebrates the values of rivers, increases awareness, and encourages river stewardship and conservation around the globe – massive worldwide event has its roots in British Columbia, Canada going back to 1980.

Millions of people and thousands of events around the world will mark World Rivers Day 2019 on Sunday, September 22 in what has become one of the largest environmental celebrations on the planet. With many of the world’s rivers facing increasing pressures associated with climate change, pollution, and industrial development, over 70 countries are participating in this year’s festivities.

The theme of this year’s event is “waterways in our communities” with a special emphasis on the need to protect and restore urban waterways which are often under great pressure. Many events will focus on educational and public awareness activities while others will include river cleanups, habitat restoration projects, and community riverside celebrations.

This year is the 15th annual World Rivers Day, which has its roots in the great success of BC Rivers Day, which is celebrating its 40th annual event in Canada’s western-most province. “World Rivers Day strives to increase public awareness of the importance of our waterways as well as the many threats confronting them,” says Mark Angelo, World Rivers Day Chair and Founder and Chair Emeritus of the Rivers Institute at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

“Rivers are integral to all life. Yet, many of the world’s waterways continue to face an array of threats and are often impacted by inappropriate practices and inadequate protection,” added Angelo, who has paddled more than 1000 rivers in over 100 countries.

Endorsed in its inaugural year by the United Nations University and the International Network on Water, Environment and Health, and with groups such as the Sitka Foundation and Patagonia as lead sponsors along with the support of others such as the Real Estate Foundation of BC and the Pacific Salmon Foundation, World Rivers Day events will take place in countries ranging from Canada to England, the United States to India, Australia to Bangladesh, and from Caribbean nations such as Dominica to the great rivers of Europe.

“Millions of people, dozens of countries, and numerous international organizations will be contributing to World Rivers Day,” says Angelo. “It provides a great opportunity for people to get out and enjoy our waterways. At the same time, the event strives to create a greater awareness of the urgent need to better care for our rivers and streams.”

Through its first decade, World Rivers Day complimented the UN’s Water for Life Decade and continues to do so as part of the UN’s current International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development.

Angelo, a recipient of the Order of Canada in recognition of his global river conservation efforts as well as the inaugural recipient of a United Nations Stewardship Award, initially founded BC Rivers Day in British Columbia back in 1980 in conjunction with the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, of which he is Rivers Chair. He then successfully lobbied numerous organizations as well as agencies of the UN to recognize World Rivers Day in 2005.

All countries are encouraged to participate. More information available at http://worldriversday.com/

For more information, contact Dave Pinton at 778-808-5661 or Mark Angelo at 778-865-2375.