This past Saturday, The MWA, (Musconetcong Watershed Association) presented WILD & SCENIC Film Festival at beautiful Sitnik Theatre, Centenary University.  This event was co-hosted by the MRMC (Musconetcong River Management Council).  The Film Festival is an annual event showcasing The Wild & Scenic Rivers Act passed by Congress fifty one years ago.  NOTE: Please refer to the link below for an interesting and informative review of the Wild & Scenic Program. 

FOR YOUR INFO, we have two of these Rivers located right in our backyards!!!  The Delaware River, has three sections designated as Wild & Scenic and the Musconetcong River has three sections designated, AND GUESS WHAT – Warren County is a part of some of those designated sections!!  We all know that ‘InsideWarren.com’ showcases and informs about all the great events and beautiful sites/sights WITHIN Warren County and now we find out that even Warren County’s borders have been recognized and designated as Wild & Scenic by an Act of Congress!! 

The Film Festival’s event schedule was as follows:

12:00 – 1:00PM time to tour the various display tables. 

1:10 – 2:15PM Film Festival Part I

Emcee Alan Hunt, PH.D., Executive Director of the MWA gave the introductions and thanked local sponsors and began the films.

2:20 – 3:00PM  Panel Discussion

Panel consisted of representatives from (1) Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers Program, National Parks Service (2) Greater Delaware River Watershed Association (3) MWA – Musconetcong Watershed Association (4) Centenary University – History Department (5) MRMC – Musconetcong River Management Council which served as the Monitor.

3:00PM – 4:00PM Film Festival Part II

4:00PM Raffles

What a wonderful Film Festival, showcasing our Country’s Wild & Scenic Rivers including two gems of our own, The Musconetcong River & The Delaware River – Thank You

MWA – MRMC and all who made this special day possible!!

While reading the description of the Photo of the Week following below, please keep these two questions in mind.  (These are the questions discussed in the Panel Discussions)

Question #1  What can story telling do to motivate people to get outdoors and help protect the places we love?

Question #2  What opportunities are out there for individuals to get involved?

Answers, I like to believe that promotional tables showcasing various sites/sights along with introducing the public to all the great and various groups connected with those sites/sights are an important part in answering these very questions!!!

Photo of the Week, is the Allamuchy Township Open Space Display Table.  Regardless of the specific theme of the event attended, this is usually my standard indoor presentation.  Note: usually I have two TV monitors.  The goal is to celebrate Our Open Space, with its beautiful and interesting Natural, Cultural and Historic Sites.  Using both photos and distribution of pamphlets, a visitor has the opportunity to visit and learn about many great sites and resources located right in their backyards so to speak.

My game plan is, if I come across an interesting event or place, promote same!!  I would like to thank, The Friends of DWGNRA (Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area) Warren County Parks Foundation, Sussex County Bird Club for their generosity in donating to support the Wild & Scenic Film Festival!! I am a member of all three and had approached same as Chairman of the MRMC.  I would also like to thank Allamuchy Township’s Mayor and Town Council who passed a resolution and contributed to the Film Fest.  Allamuchy Township has always been a great supporter for Open Space!!  If you are near Allamuchy Town Hall, stop in, we have two large tables and a TV Monitor showcasing ‘YOUR OPEN SPACE’!!

FYI – Each Partner River is required by US Congress to be managed by a Management Council. 

Link to story behind Wild & Scenic – https://www.musconetcong.org/wild-scenic-designation

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Director Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman
Allamuchy Historical Society – President