Officials announce 'Year of the River' initiative

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Alvin Brown, the Cummer Museum and the St. Johns Riverkeeper came together Tuesday to celebrate the St. Johns River, announcing that 2015 will be the "Year of the River."

They hope to bring together more than 50 institutions to raise awareness about the St. Johns River and all of its economic impacts on the Jacksonville community.

"The celebration of the Year of the River is all about valuing the St. Johns River, and the first step to wanting to protect our might river is having that strong sense of responsibility and value and care for the St. Johns," St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman said. "By us getting together to celebrate the Year of the River it really gives us an opportunity to give something back to our river, because it's really shaped us as a community, and it's part of our being. It's part of us celebrating and valuing our great river."

Throughout 2015 the city will have exhibits, performances and special programming and events to highlight the river.