Emert family wins annual Kathleen Snavely award for volunteer effort throughout 2023 in various areas

The Emert family of Winfield was honored with the Kathleen Snavely Susquehanna River Environmental Advocate Award in December for their numerous contributions throughout 2023 as volunteers in various capacities for the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association and in educating others about conservation and nature.

"The Emerts have been involved in numerous programs of ours over the past year. Their oldest daughter, Fallon, was one of our first EELS (Environmental Education Leadership for Students) graduates and has helped run a Floating Classroom on the Hiawatha and an aquatic mammal station at our Scout Day. The girls volunteered as instructors at our HERYN program, too," said Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. "They all walked with us, with their mom, Tammy, in the Selinsgrove Halloween Parade and their dad even helped out when our kayak trailer axle broke unexpectedly. Plus, they do all sorts of programming as a family on their own in the local community which is really cool."

Tammy, known in the community as Mama T, runs Mama  T's Homestead, with a colorful school bus known as the "Cool Bus" that does arts, crafts and other programs in various places across the region.

They are one of the partners of the new Vernal School programming at the Montour Preserve.

"They are wonderful people who always put community and nature first," said outgoing association Board President Marissa Crames. "They offer unique and engaging programming that really stands out from the crowd."

The award was created in 2022 as a way to honor Kathleen Snavely, an original member of the association and longtime president who kept the association going when it could have folded by sacrificing quite a bit of her own resources and time. 

"Like Kathy, the Emerts have a real appreciation for our natural resources and know that to inspire future stewards for those resources, it takes creativity, sacrifice and persistence," said Zaktansky. "We have greatly appreciated this family's enthusiasm for and dedication to our work and the aquatic ecosystem we serve."