Your Riverkeeper: John Zaktansky

John Zaktansky grew up on a small farm in northern Northumberland County, savoring outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, camping while working his way up the Scouting ranks to Eagle. 

He brings nearly 18 years of award-winning local journalism and eight years experience as a counselor for troubled adolescents to the position, striving to protect and promote our river-based resources.

John and his family currently live along the banks of the Penns Creek in Snyder County. He and his wife are youth group leaders at Port Ann Wesleyan Church and the family enjoys every chance it gets to camp, fish, kayak and cherish the beauty and therapy of the region's outdoor resources.

​Send John an email by clicking here.
Some quick links about Riverkeeper John Zaktansky, including interviews and inspirations:
  • Check out John's Nov. 2, 2020, interview with WPGM radio about the association and new initiatives by clicking here.
  • Listen to John's Aug. 23, 2020, interview with WVIA radio by clicking here.
  • Listen to John's July 7, 2020, interview on WKOK radio by clicking here.
  • Read John's column about the inspiration behind his decision to take the Riverkeeper role by clicking here.
  • Check out the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper press release about John's hiring here.


What is a RIVERKEEPER® ?

A RIVERKEEPER® is part of the ‘Keeper family of river-, coast-, channel-, bay-, lake-, harbor-, creek-, sound-, and water-keepers licensed by WATERKEEPER® Alliance to be the eyes, ears, and voice of a particular waterbody. Each member of the WATERKEEPER® family has local roots with a global reach that connects them to more than 340 other WATERKEEPERS® around the world on six continents in more than 40 countries.

What do you do as a RIVERKEEPER® ?

How do you monitor the activities within the watershed?

The most important thing I do every day is be aware. I listen to you – the residents of the Susquehanna River Valley. I learn as much as I can about our current issues, challenges, and concerns. I attend meetings, reach out to environmental partners, connect with river experts and colleagues, and read articles and updates. I ask many questions and I seek out answers and solutions. I am keenly observant as I travel throughout the watershed by car and canoe.
Because each of our water bodies and the communities they touch are unique, each (RIVER)KEEPER® approach is also unique. I see myself as an environmentalist, engineer, educator, and entrepreneur. My first focus is always the river and her health. This section of the Susquehanna River is “my river.” I am responsible for her. I monitor the work of government agencies, communities, and industry. My work is based on the Clean Water Act , which, in 1972, established water quality standards for surface waters, such as the Susquehanna River. It is my job to be the voice for the river and speak up on her behalf to assure that she is protected at all times in order to provide swimmable, drinkable, and fishable waters for her communities.


founding Riverkeeper: Carol Parenzan 
2015-2019

​I have always been drawn to water. In addition to being an avid paddler, I was a competitive swimmer as a child and am now an open water distance swimmer as an adult.  I have navigated hundreds of miles of the Susquehanna River and her tributaries by canoe. Because of my love of water, I looked for a college program that would combine my interests in the river, her expanded watershed, math, and science. I earned an environmental engineering degree with a water concentration from Penn State. My career has allowed me to focus on environmental challenges and solutions with an engineering perspective. It has also given me the opportunity to educate – through my books, classroom and library programs, and professional continuing education workshops. With this position, after an 18 year migration through upstate New York, I have come home to take care of my river, our river. My family roots are in the coal regions.
Images courtesy of the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau