In honor of Great Outdoors Month and National Trails Day, both in June, the Department of the Interior designated five trails in six states as National Recreation Trails. The Ohio River Way was born on a starry evening in 2019. During an overnight paddle from Cincinnati to Louisville, the volunteer crew of a 30-foot voyageur canoe started to splash around the idea of linking up sites along this stretch of river.

June brought historic momentum for the Ohio River Way and our partners, from proudly supporting the release of a landmark Ohio River Basin restoration plan to celebrating our official designation as a National Water Trail. We've also opened our call for proposals—for presentations, field trips, exhibitions, and more—for Ohio River Basin Confluence, our joint summit this fall. Submissions are due by July 1.

The Ohio River Way, a trail connecting communities across Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, has officially been designated as a National Water Trail at the recommendation of the National Park Service. This rare recognition marks the largest addition to the National Trails System this year—out of 387 miles designated nationwide, the Ohio River Way accounts for 308 miles. 

The Ohio River Way proudly supports today's launch of a landmark restoration plan titled "Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities, Healthy Economies: A Collaborative Plan to Restore and Protect the Waters of the Ohio River Basin." This effort aims to significantly improve environmental health, community wellbeing, and economic vitality throughout the Ohio River Basin.

The Ohio River Way is proud to announce the election of three new Vice Chairs to its Executive Committee, representing Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Councilwoman Mary Allen of New Richmond, OH; Christy Noll, Executive Director of the Boone Conservancy; and Mike Perleberg,

As we step into 2025, we're filled with excitement for the possibilities ahead—new adventures, stronger communities, and an even greater connection to the beautiful Ohio River region. 

It's been a year of exciting growth at the Ohio River Way! As we take stock of all that we've accomplished over the past year, we want to express our sincere gratitude to our partners and members who have helped us along the way.

As the year winds down, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who joined us at our coalition meeting last month. This season of gratitude reminds us how fortunate we are to have such a dedicated group of individuals working together to support river communities and protect our waterways. 

We've been busy installing new water trail signs to help guide and welcome visitors along the Ohio River Way! These signs are an exciting step forward in enhancing navigation and promoting the unique beauty of our river communities. With each new marker, we're making the Ohio River more accessible and enjoyable for everyone—from weekend paddlers to seasoned adventurers.

Autumn has always been synonymous with change. As the leaves transform into fiery hues it reminds us that growth often comes through adaptation and renewal.  At the Ohio River Way, we embrace that same spirit of change in our mission to enhance communities along the Ohio River. Whether creating new recreational opportunities, fostering environmental stewardship, or promoting economic vitality, we're committed to building a brighter, more sustainable future for the region. 

Thank you to those who were able to join us last week at the 2024 Ohio River Way Summit! The enthusiasm and energy throughout the event and in our breakout sessions were truly inspiring. It’s clear that everyone is as passionate as we are about making our river communities thrive.

Whether you're attending this year’s Ohio River Way Summit or one of our many upcoming partner events along the river, you are contributing to a powerful connection between our communities and the river that unites us all.