Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper

  • Middle Susq River
    • Meet
    • Board of Directors
  • Donate
  • Blog
  • Podcasts
  • HERYN PROGRAM
  • Song Project
  • Floating Classroom
  • Stewards
  • Report a concern
  • Survey
  • Video Lessons
  • Gift Shop
  • Photos 2020
  • Other Events
    • Nature Book Club
    • Sunrise Sunset Susquehanna
    • Bridges Over Troubled Water
    • Dumplings At Dusk
  • Issues
    • Signed Support Letters
  • Engage
    • News Alerts
    • Meet a Need
    • Songs 2021
    • Photo/poetry contest
    • Our Partners
  • 2018 PA River of the Year
  • 10 Fun Facts
  • For Children
  • Prison Project
  • Contact Us
  • Crossword Puzzle
  • Middle Susq River
    • Meet
    • Board of Directors
  • Donate
  • Blog
  • Podcasts
  • HERYN PROGRAM
  • Song Project
  • Floating Classroom
  • Stewards
  • Report a concern
  • Survey
  • Video Lessons
  • Gift Shop
  • Photos 2020
  • Other Events
    • Nature Book Club
    • Sunrise Sunset Susquehanna
    • Bridges Over Troubled Water
    • Dumplings At Dusk
  • Issues
    • Signed Support Letters
  • Engage
    • News Alerts
    • Meet a Need
    • Songs 2021
    • Photo/poetry contest
    • Our Partners
  • 2018 PA River of the Year
  • 10 Fun Facts
  • For Children
  • Prison Project
  • Contact Us
  • Crossword Puzzle

Podcast episodes

Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast series

As an additional way to tell the story of our river, its tributaries and the creatures and people that depend on the extended Middle Susquehanna watershed, we have created the following series of podcasts interviewing people who are passionate about clean water and our environment. If you have feedback or would like to suggest an interview, send an email to midsusriver@gmail.com
Picture

Peter Petokas, Hellbender research

April 9, 2021 -- Peter Petokas, a renowned expert on the hellbender with 15 years experience, talks about the dwindling populations in our watershed, the importance of the amphibian, what can be done to improve the situation and other water quality issues.

Picture

Brittney Hartzell, Water Specialist

April 1, 2021 -- Water specialist for the Columbia County Conservation District, Brittney Hartzell grew up in the region. She talks about the county's response to a Chesapeake Bay initiative and ways people can make a difference for our water resources.

Picture

Faran Savitz, Microplastics study

March 26, 2021 -- A conservation associate for PennEnvironment, Faran Savitz was one of two people behind a recent study that indicated the massive proliferation of microplastics in waterways across the state. He talks about the study and what we should learn from it.

Picture

COREY ELLISON, Greenway director 

March 18, 2021 -- Corey Ellison, the executive director for the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership talks about the group's efforts to connect the land and water resources throughout the Susquehanna River basin.

Picture

Michele RichardS, Master Naturalist

March 5, 2021 -- Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Program President and Director Michele Richards talks about what it means to be a master naturalist, how the program was formed and some of the many ways the naturalist family is making a difference.

Picture

CASEY MAGARGLE, Angler/Instructor

Feb. 26, 2021 -- Bass Pro and Mifflinburg school educator Casey Magargle talks about coaching numerous students to big fishing tournament victories, his bait shop and important trends he has noticed in countless hours on the Susquehanna.

Picture

Brenda Sieglitz, 10 Million Trees

Feb. 19, 2021 -- Brenda Sieglitz talks about the 10 Million Trees Partnership with a goal of cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, how trees can drastically improve water quality and the major need of new land to plant trees on in the coming years.

Picture

Tim Schaeffer, Fish & Boat director

Feb. 12, 2021 -- Tim Schaeffer, the executive director of the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission, chats about the historic start to the 2020 trout season and what people can expect for this coming year in terms of the trout opener, stocking and opportunities.

Picture

Franklin Kury, legislator & Author

Feb. 5, 2021 -- Franklin Kury served three terms in the PA House of Representatives between 1966 and 1972, playing an instrumental part in the PA Clean Streams Act and Environmental Rights Amendment. He talks about all that and his new book arriving soon.

Picture

Dr. Kathleen Mullen, veterinarian

Jan. 28, 2021 -- Kathleen Mullen, a veterinarian at Littleton Equine in Colorado, talks about a study she was a part of in our watershed that potentially links fracking chemicals to sick foals at a northern PA farm. Check out the full story package here.

Picture

Andrew Dehoff, SRBC Director

Jan 22, 2021 -- Andrew Dehoff, the executive director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, chats about the SRBC's 50th anniversary, accomplishments from the first five decades, what is next and how people can keep on top of permits and other actions.

Picture

Don Shappelle, musician

Jan. 18, 2021 -- Don Shappelle, a musician from Luzerne County, shares a song he wrote with children aboard the Hiawatha during a Floating Classroom a few years ago and the therapeutic crossover between music, the river and the Songs of the Susquehanna project.

Picture

John LEVITSKY, Water Specialist

Jan. 13, 2020 -- John Levitsky, watershed specialist for the Luzerne County Conservation District, talks about Abandoned Mine Drainage issues, including the Plainsville Borehole Discharge and what his plans are (and hurdles he's faced in tackling the issues at this site.

Picture

CAIN CHAMBERLIN, Endless Mtns

Jan. 5, 2021 -- Cain Chamberlin, of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, talks about nominating the Tunkhannock Creek for 2021 River of the Year, why people should vote for the waterway (by Jan. 22) and shares info about his group's efforts to protect resources.

Picture

R. John Dawes, Water Reporter App

Dec. 30, 2020 -- R. John Dawes, executive director and co-founder of The Commons, helped develop the Water Reporter app, an "Instagram for anglers," as a tool to help catalog catches and watch for important water quality trends throughout the watershed.

Picture

KATHLEEN LAVELLE, Trout Unlimited

Dec. 22, 2020 -- Kathleen Lavelle, the field coordinator for Pennsylvania's Trout Unlimited cold water habitat program, talks about our native trout populations, various threats they face and a unique fish relocation situation she assisted with along a wet road. 

Picture

John dawes, Pa Watersheds

Dec. 14, 2020 -- John Dawes, of the Foundation for Pa. Watersheds, shares how the agency helps smaller groups via grants and other services, talks about the dangers of acid mine drainage, fracking and other waterway concerns and suggests how to make a difference.

Picture

Diana Dakey, Protect Northern PA

Dec. 7, 2020 -- Diana Dakey, founding member of ProtectNorthernPA.org, speaks ahead of a Dec. 9 permit review about her concerns involving liquified natural gas (LNG) being produced and transported from Bradford County to a New Jersey port.

Picture

John Zaktansky, Riverkeeper

Dec. 7, 2020 -- Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky chats with WKOK radio personality Mark Lawrence on the Sunrise program about the HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) Program, Songs of the Susquehanna and other projects.

Picture

Lila Oast, teen kayaker & angler

Dec. 1, 2020 -- Lila Oast, of Bloomsburg, has been kayaking with her father along the Susquehanna River for as long as she can remember, and has since picked up sponsors as she competes in a variety of tournaments throughout the country.

Picture

JOHN ZaNGARI-RYAN, Kayaking expert

Nov. 24, 2020 -- John Zangari-Ryan has kayaked across the United States, but feels we have the most diverse paddling experience right here on the Susquehanna. He chats about kayak routes he developed, kayak camps he provides for kids and the health of our watershed.

Picture

Special DUCK Overview episode

Nov. 17, 2020 -- Jon Beam, of the Montour Preserve, and longtime Lycoming Audubon member Gary Metzger discuss different categories of ducks you can find in our watershed, unique behaviors, various threats they face and review a few of the common calls they make.

Picture

Renee Carey, Conservancy director

Nov. 12, 2020 -- Renee Carey, the executive director of the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, talks about the important work the conservancy does, efforts to preserve access points to our waterways and her take on the health of our river and its tributaries.

Picture

BEnjamin Hayes, Bucknell University

Nov. 4, 2020 -- Benjamin Hayes, the program director for Bucknell's Watershed Sciences & Engineering Program, talks about the current health of the Susquehanna River along with details about the upcoming 15th Annual River Symposium.

Picture

John Zaktansky, riverkeeper

Nov. 2, 2020 -- WPGM/WBGM News Director Matthew James interviews Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association executive director John Zaktansky for a show that aired Oct. 18 on the mission of the organization, upcoming programs and other topics.

Picture

Steve Kurian, Wild for Salmon

Oct. 29, 2020 -- Steve Kurian and his family operate the business Wild for Salmon out of Bloomsburg, making regular trips to the Alaskan wilds for fresh salmon to sell in our watershed. He talks about the importance of clean water and eating fresh fish.

Picture

VAN WAGNER, Eels in the classroom

Oct. 21, 2020 -- Renowned watershed educator, historian and musician Van Wagner talks about lessons learned with students via a unique "Eels in the Classroom" program, why eels used to play such a vital role in the region's waterways and what happened along the way.

Picture

MARC YAGGI, Waterkeeper Alliance

Oct. 15, 2020 -- Marc Yaggi, the executive director for the Waterkeeper Alliance, was raised on the banks of the Loyalsock Creek. He shares his story from playing in local waterways to overseeing a global movement to confront pollution and take back our water-based resources. 

Picture

JOLENE CONNELLY, outdoor educator

Oct. 8, 2020 -- A member of the governor's advisory council for hunting, fishing and conservation, Jolene Connelly also engages people via kayaking, hunter/trapper education and other ventures. She talks on trends in the aquatic ecosystem and value of the outdoors.

Picture

RICH BEST, Certified SCUBA instructor

Sept. 30, 2020 -- Rich Best, owner of the renowned Sunken Treasure SCUBA Center near Jersey Shore, talks about trends and threats he has noticed within the Susquehanna River, efforts to pull more than 12,000 tires from our waterways and a sunken canal barge he found.

Picture

TALI MacArthur, watershed advocate

Sept. 23, 2020 -- Tali MacArthur, the program manager for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and Pa. Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR), talks about the essential work of watershed groups across the state and why people should get involved.

Picture

MIKE DUPUY, Licensed falconer

Sept. 17, 2020 -- Mike Dupuy, a longtime falconer out of Snyder County, shares some feedback about various species of raptors (such as ospreys, bald eagles, etc.) we can find along the river and its tributaries in our region. He also talks about current-day threats they face.

Picture

MIKE PARKER, Fish & Boat Commission

Sept 9, 2020 -- Mike Parker, the communications director for the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission, talks about the unexpected trout season opener, how COVID has impacted a fishing and boating resurgence, the importance of waterway safety and fishing license fees.

Picture

Emily Sliski, Wesley Forest CAMP

Sept. 2, 2020 -- Emily Sliski, center director for the Wesley Forest Camp along the Penns Creek near Weikert, discusses the value of getting young people outdoors and waterway monitoring. 

Picture

John Oast, kayak angler & YouTuber

Aug. 26, 2020 -- John Oast began developing kayak rigging videos in 2006, developing a YouTube presence via fishyaker.com that today has more than 5,000,000 video views.

Picture

John Zaktansky, riverkeeper

Aug. 23, 2020 -- WVIA Radio's Lisa Mazzarella interviewed Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky for a recent episode of Keystone Edition. The original broadcast is here.

Picture

Dr. David Lieb, aquatic biologist

Aug. 19, 2020 -- Dr. David Lieb, who has studied crayfish in Pennsylvania's waterways for nearly two decades, talks about the dangers of  invasive exotic species wiping out the natives.

Picture

Kathy Snavely, board president

Aug. 12, 2020 -- Kathy Snavely is the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Board president and only remaining founding board member. 

Picture

Dr. Joseph Simons, board vice president

Aug. 12, 2020 -- Dr. Joseph Simons is an avid trout angler and wildlife photographer out of Luzerne County, serving as the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Board vice president.

Picture

Ann fisher, Board secretary & Treasurer

Aug. 12, 2020 -- Ann Fisher, who spent 10 years working in Washington with the Environmental Protection Agency, currently lives in Snyder County.

Picture

Caz Russell, board member

Aug. 12, 2020 -- Caz Russell is a certified John Maxwell leadership instructor, motivational speaker and avid waterfowler on the Susquehanna River.

Your Pollution Hotline Number:
​570-768-6300

SUPPORT OUR WORK

BY BECOMING A SUSQUEHANNA NEIGHBOR TODAY.
​FROM CLEAN WATER FLOW THRIVING COMMUNITIES.

Middle Susquehanna RIVERKEEPER® is a member of WATERKEEPER® ALLIANCE. RIVERKEEPER is a registered trademark and service mark of Riverkeeper, Inc.
and is licensed for use herein. WATERKEEPER is a registered trademark and service mark of Waterkeeper® Alliance, Inc. and is licensed for use herein.