More than 40 people participate in July 14 Floating Classroom about plastics in our river and how to address the concern

​More than 40 people participated in the July 14, 2026, Floating Classroom aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat. 

They learned about plastics and the Susquehanna River. The cruise included a presentation by Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky on the lower level about plastics, why they are such a concern, what forms they come in and the issues with single-use plastics. The program included an opportunity to talk about potential realistic solutions .

The upper level was led by interns Maggie Yonkin and Derek Asche and included a hands-on project to make plastic collection devices out of household materials as a way to check waterways in the participants' hometowns for possible plastic pollution. It also included an overview with the Enviroscape on watersheds and how plastic winds up in our river.

Check out the full schedule of Floating Classroom programs and register while tickets last by clicking here.

Photos from the July 14 cruise include: