​Its headwaters in the Bald Eagle State Forest severely impaired by acid precipitation and valleys below impacted by sedimentation and nutrient runoff, the Buffalo Creek became a prime target two decades ago for efforts by the Department of Environmental Protection to create a watershed alliance of local citizens who could help clean things up.

“The DEP provided a grant through the Merrill Linn Conservancy, of which we are a subsidiary, of $5,000 in 2001 – and because of that in 2002, the Buffalo Valley Watershed Alliance was formed,” said the group’s current chairmain, David Staebler. “The first chairman was Jeff Bowers who was instrumental in getting things started and building momentum.”

The alliance wasted no time in addressing issues facing the creek, including high acidity in the headwaters. ​

A springtime rite of passage, vernal pools are usually natural depressions that collect moisture during the spring months and become vital breeding grounds for different species of amphibians.

Unfortunately, many of these impromptu pools are found in high-traffic areas where they can be disturbed and the eggs, tadpoles and other aquatic life can be disrupted by external sources. As a way to raise awareness about specific vernal pools, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association has created signs that can be purchased and posted near them.

The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association's Quiz & Cuisine event is scheduled for Friday, April 22, 2022, with a fun trivia competition, a healthy meal and an opportunity for conversation about important topics surrounding the river. For updated details and to purchase tickets, click here.

​Silky dogwood, buttonbush and elderberry were the most successful species in a recent live stake study conducted by the Chesapeake Conservancy and Susquehanna University.

“All three exhibited over a 45 percent survival rate, which is pretty good considering you are simply sticking a stake in the ground and leaving it alone to sprout and grow,” said Matt Wilson, director of Susquehanna University’s Freshwater Research Institute. “None of the other species we studied had better than a 10 percent survival rate.”

Live stakes are cuttings off certain trees and shrubs that can be planted directly into the ground and can be very helpful in protecting local streams.

​​In the early 1970s, as word spread about PP&L building a powerplant in Montour County and a subsequent lake area to be used as a backup coolant for the plant, local landowner Richard Hess developed an idea to capitalize on the news.

“Our farm joins the preserve land where the pavilions are now. I had the idea of putting in a campground, because I understood that PPL wasn’t going to put a campground in and I figured that they’ll have the lake there for boating and fishing and trails to hike,” he said, taking a few days of vacation from his job with Sylvania, developing what would be the earliest electronic components for automobiles, to attend a conference at Penn State University on starting a campground.

​On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, we celebrated World Water Day. 

However, I use that term – celebrate – extremely loosely. Usually one who savors finding the silver lining in every cloud, I’m feeling less like Tigger and more like Eeyore about a day that was created to raise important awareness about water quality issues and champion successes in clean water efforts.

After sorting through numerous online feedback forms, numerous discussions among board members and other parties connected to the Songs of the Susquehanna project, the official list of songs and artists selected for Volume 2 is now available.

Twenty songs have been chosen from the 58 submitted and will be turned over to regional musician Kimbo Reichley for professional mastering and compilation to develop our official Volume 2 CD, and we are working on an online download option for this album, as well.

The first six program days of the HERYN (Helping Engage the River's Youth with Nature) kayaking and fishing program days were a huge success, as 73 young people from 10 different counties learned valuable skills in both areas while boosting confidence and making some new friends.

Because of that success, and multiple requests from past participants and their families, we are working on a next level HERYN experience for graduates of the original program.