BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA — (Marketwired) — 09/23/13 — Millions of people around the world will participate in the ninth annual World Rivers Day on Sunday, September 29. With many of the world–s rivers facing severe and increasing threats associated with climate change, pollution, and industrial development, close to 70 countries are participating in this year–s festivities. Many events around the world will focus on educational and public awareness activities while others will include river and stream cleanups, habitat enhancement and restoration projects, and community riverside celebrations. World Rivers Day has its roots in the great success of BC Rivers Day, which has been celebrated for the past 33 years 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.
“Rivers are integral to all life and yet many waterways continue to be impacted by inappropriate practices and inadequate protection,” says Mark Angelo, Rivers Day Chair and Founder and Chair Emeritus of the Rivers Institute at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
Endorsed in its inaugural year by the United Nations University and the International Network of Water, Environment, and Health, and with HSBC Bank Canada as its lead sponsor, World Rivers Day events will include activities in countries ranging from Canada to England, Nigeria to the United States, Australia to South Africa, Iraq to Bangladesh, and across most of the major 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.”
Robert Sandford, Chair of the Canadian Partnership Initiative in support of the United Nation–s “Water for Life Decade” and an internationally recognized expert on scarcity and conservation issues, says, “World Rivers Day should be hailed for its global effort to increase awareness around the vital importance of our water resources and the need to properly protect and steward them in the face of mounting pressures.”
The event compliments the UN–s broader Water for Life Decade initiative and they are a valued supporter of World Rivers Day.
Angelo, a recipient of the Order of Canada, his country–s highest honor, as well as the inaugural recipient of a United Nations Award for Science, Education and Conservation, initially founded BC Rivers Day in British Columbia in conjunction with the Outdoor Recreation Council. 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 and events can be registered at worldriversday.com
Editors Please Note: Video clips of Mark Angelo and b-roll are available at
Contacts:
For more information:
Prior to September 29, contact
Kelly Friday
604.836.6700
For more information:
On the day of, contact
Dave Pinton
778.928.2288