As a resident of Bucks County for the last 20 years, I have developed a strong bond to the community, the natural resources, and the abundance of recreational opportunities this area offers. Of which, the Delaware River is truly the highlight. From the first time I drove along River Road, I knew this was something special. Having recently moved to a home on the river, I made the commitment to not just be a consumer of these resources, but also an advocate. I want to get more involved by helping to promote, preserve, and enhance this important resource. As a cyclist, fisherman, and novice kayaker, I look forward to years of continued enjoyment of this area and to do my part to ensure that others are connected to it as well.
Living on the Musconetcong Mountain, near the confluence of the Musconetcong and Delaware Rivers, I consider our local watersheds integral parts of my home; their health and well being are of paramount importance to me.
As an avid canoeist, trip leader for the Mohawk Canoe Club, member of the Board of the Delaware Valley Division of the American Canoe Association, and member of various and sundry area paddling clubs, I feel a deep and visceral connection to our local waterways. I've paddled the Delaware River from the confluence of the East & West Branches to the tidal section in Burlington, NJ, many tributaries of the Delaware, large and small, including the Lackawaxen, Mongaup, Flatbrook, Pequest, Paulins Kill, Lehigh, Pohatcong, Musconetcong, Tohickon, Neshaminy, Crosswicks, Rancocas, Maurice, as well as the entire navigable length of the Delaware and Raritan Canal, from Bulls Island to New Brunswick.
These waterways and natural lands are a blessing, a great luxury, in my opinion. I'm immensely grateful to all of the people and organizations that have worked in the past to preserve, protect, and improve the quality of our local waterways. This is a job that demands constant attention, and I believe it's of the utmost importance to recognize ongoing and new threats to the health of the Delaware River and its surrounding lands and waters. It is a privilege to help protect and share all that these natural treasures have to offer, and I am honored and excited to participate in continuing this work with the Delaware River Greenway Partnership.
I have had a lifelong personal, professional, and academic relationship with water resources, particularly the Delaware River. In the early 1990s, I helped lead an initiative to create New Jersey's Scenic Byways program, using the NJ Route 29 corridor of the highway, the D&R Canal, and the Delaware River as our prototype effort. Now as a professional planner and administrator of the nationally designated Delaware River Scenic Byway, I am committed to efforts to improve and optimize the natural, historic, tourism, transportation safety, and economic vitality opportunities of the Delaware River Valley.
Mark is a passionate advocate for the Delaware River watershed. In his personal and professional capacities, Mark works to advance several important priority federal and state conservation issues, including land conservation funding, river and watershed protection, as well as access to public lands. As a DRGP Trustee, Mark oversees the Delaware River Water Trail and supports many other core projects and initiatives. Mark is an avid outdoor enthusiast, primarily as a whitewater paddler and telemark skier.
Since we moved to Princeton 50 years ago, the Delaware River, (and adjoining canal), has been second only to my home in the hierarchy of the places I treasure. I have walked its trails countless times by day and under a full moon, and “bird” it on a regular basis. Less frequent but memorable are my paddling and cycling ventures along the canal, picnics, special dinners out, crafts shows and fireworks over the river. I drive along both sides of the river every chance I get to observe the scenery and historic landmarks, and continuously explore nature on foot in adjacent parks and preserved lands. I drink and bathe in its water every day. After I retired as an art museum curator I found it an easy and satisfying switch from art history to researching the river’s rich history and cultural heritage. I feel a strong need to champion the river and its many assets, to share it with others and to encourage and participate in the river’s protection and restoration, realizing that towns and parks along it will also be affected positively. I am preparing a guide to the D&R Canal, and aspire to continue to engage in historical research leading to exhibitions, lectures and articles about the river’s history. I am on the boards of the D&R Canal Watch and Washington Crossing Audubon Society, both grassroots organizations with some interest in the canal and river. With its mandated singular dedication to the river valley in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, DRGP, in partnership with other organizations and agencies, can play a leadership role in making the river an even better place; I joined the DRGP board to help in that effort!
To enjoy smell of spring, the sound of a river flowing, the sight of beautiful landscape or the feel of soft moss under your toes is
something I believe everyone should experience. This is why I am excited to be a part of DRGP.
DRGP’s goal in promoting and protecting the Delaware River and its surrounding lands provides the public with areas to explore nature; to experience and become part of nature; to better understand how their life forever interacts with nature.
The Delaware River Region is rich with diversity and historical significance. As the naturalist of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, I am privileged to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and work with dedicated groups and individuals in preserving these qualities for future generations.
Why I am excited to be volunteering at DRGP:
Conservation of the Delaware River and its watershed for the people, wildlife, and habitats is what drives me through my career. When I was asked to join the Delaware River Greenway Partnership Board, I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to work with even more great people doing spectacular things for the Delaware River. DRGP allows me the ability to delve deeper into conserving the quality of the river, connecting to people and connecting them to nature, and building upon the strong relationships and team to do even more and better.
James Ryan (JR) Fisher lives in Phoenixville, PA with his wife, Suzanne, and their three children. He believes that the most peaceful places on earth are where trees and open sky can be found overhead. As an avid mountain biker and kayaker, JR enjoys hiking, cycling, and kayaking locally with his family. His love and respect for the outdoors has developed into working with the Delaware River Greenway Partnership (DRGP), the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust (FPCCT), and the Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW). When he’s not in the woods, JR is a Financial Advisor at Old York Advisors in Jenkintown, PA, working with his clients to help them live a LIFE WELL PLANNED. Outside of the office, he and his business partner will often be found competing in amateur motorsports events with the Philadelphia Region of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) or kayaking the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers. JR is honored to work with the DRGP and those dedicated to being careful stewards of our lands and streams. Building relationships and communities that appreciate and care for our environment is a major step in the success of our future generations and our planet.