Riverkeeper reflections |
 Warren Fisher, at right, enjoys a cruise aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat in Williamsport during a Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association Floating Classroom with his wife, Ann (far left) and former longtime association board President Kathy Snavely. Hanging on a wall of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association’s Sunbury office is a large mounted bass on a wooded plaque with a small red plastic label that simply states “Camp Kline 1966.”
Nothing fancy. No extra bells or whistles … in fact, there is no mention of the angler who caught this impressive fish along Pine Creek. And that’s the way he wanted it … really, it was the way he lived his life, at least the parts I thankfully got to experience over the past six years since taking over as Riverkeeper.
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 It didn't take long for middle-school students at each of four Camp Chillisquaque day camp programs to catch on.
Early in each program day, intern Maggie Yonkin would share a PowerPoint overview of endangered and threatened species in Pennsylvania. Each slide offered a quick overview of the species and various reasons it was struggling to survive in our state. In two words, the least common denominator that could be tied to most every species' decline: Habitat loss. Nearly 50 people attend Sept. 1, 2026, Floating Class aboard Hiawatha Paddleboat on animal tracking9/3/2026  Nearly 50 people attended the Sept. 1, 2026, Floating Classroom aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat, near Williamsport.
The program included an overview on Animal Tracking tips by Riverkeeper John Zaktansky, that focused on what can be learned from animal tracks, where to best find them and nuances between tracks that can help you determine what left them behind. Meanwhile, on the lower level, Camp Susque educator Stephanie Knauss reviewed animal tracks and led a hands-on plaster casting craft with participants that they were able to take home afterward.  Forty people participated in the Aug, 25, 2026, Floating Classroom aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat that focused on aquatic mammals and especially concerns about population decline among muskrats.
Riverkeeper John Zaktansky led the upper-level presentation on aquatic mammals, discussing the unique characteristics of each of the main aquatic mammals (muskrats, beavers, mink and otters) as well as ways to tell them apart and other facts. Meanwhile, PA Game Commission biologist Thomas Keller reviewed research and other efforts to better understand what may be impacting muskrat numbers across the state. |
AuthorsRiverkeeper John Zaktansky is an award-winning journalist and avid promoter of the outdoors who loves camping, kayaking, fishing and hunting with the family. Archives
October 2026
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