Release Date: June 12,2020
Akron Waterways Renewed! to host Virtual “Blue Heron Hangout” Educational Series
6th Annual Blue Heron Homecoming event postponed
Akron, Ohio, June 11, 2020 – The City of Akron and Akron Waterways Renewed! (AWR!) will postpone this year’s 6th Annual Blue Heron Homecoming and instead offer an online education series called the “Blue Heron Hangout,” which will debut June 17, 2020. The seven-week series will feature numerous avenues for sharing information about water quality, combined sewer overflows, the City’s sewer infrastructure and much more with the public. Videos will be posted on the Akron Waterways Renewed! Facebook page at noon every Wednesday following the initial video on June 17.
“As we continue to respond to changes due to the COVID19 pandemic, we are constantly looking for ways to continue to provide programming and education, while maintaining appropriate social distancing,” said Patrick Gsellman, AWR! Program Manager. “The team will work to provide rich programming in lieu of an in-person event, and then we will reassess having an in-person event as we get closer to fall.”
The Blue Heron Homecoming is an annual environmental festival that provides community members with a chance to learn about the AWR! program as well as history of the Cuyahoga River and tributaries. The large public event was set to be held June 19, 2020, but will be temporarily postponed to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.
Due to the postponement of the Blue Heron event, the City’s popular annual program for distributing free rain barrels and trees is being redesigned with safety and health precautions in mind. The AWR! team is solidifying logistics regarding how many rain barrels and trees will be available to the public, and how they will be distributed. Details of the redesigned program will be posted on the AWR! website and Facebook page in the coming weeks.
“In Akron we continue to make incredible progress toward a cleaner environment and greener, more sustainable infrastructure. Each year, we come together as a community to celebrate this progress and learn about how we can continue our efforts,” said Mayor Dan Horrigan. “This year’s virtual event will enable us to continue to safely provide excellent, accessible education for residents of all ages.”
Tune in every Wednesday at noon to learn about Akron’s award-winning commitment to invest in our environmental future by building infrastructure that will protect public health and maintain access to clean water for generations to come.