Fifty-three people participate in first Floating Classroom of 2024, learn about snails of watershed

Fifty-three people boarded the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, to learn about snails that can be found in the Susquehanna River watershed. 

The lower level presentation was led by Dr. Edward Levri of Penn State, a snail expert who has studied the New Zealand mud snail exclusively both abroad in the local river basin. Participants learned about this invasive species, what sort of impacts they can have on waterways, why they are so successful in taking over an ecosystem and how to help reduce the spread.

The upper level discussion was led by Matt Wilson, director of Susquehanna University's Freshwater Research Institute, reviewing general snail identification and behavior. Participants got to check out various specimens that can be found in the region. 

While this is the only Floating Classroom scheduled in June, there are numerous others with different themes and presenters in July, August, September and early October. Learn more and get your tickets before they sell out here: www.middlesusquehannariverkeeper.org/floating-classroom.html

You can learn more about New Zealand mud snails in a special podcast conversation and blog post with Dr. Levri.

Some photos from the Snails on the Susquehanna cruise: