Nearly 50 people learn about importance of riparian buffers, various plants during Floating Classroom

9/9/2025

Cat Pugh and Erin Trouba, educators with the Penn State Extension office, presented to nearly 50 people aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, about riparian buffers and various plant species that can be used successfully in those environments for a Floating Classroom program hosted by the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association.

Trouba led the lower-level discussion on riparian buffers overview, their importance and had people check out the riverside to compare different buffers during the boat ride. Upstairs, Pugh shared a wide variety of different species that can be used to plant in buffer zones, including edible plants, those that can be used for weaving and other crafts and more.

After the cruise, Pugh led a Plant ID walk in the nearby state park along the West Branch of the Susquehanna river bank, reviewing general tree and plant ID and other important information.

Three more Floating Classroom programs remain on the 2025 schedule. Check out the programs here.

Here are an assortment of photos from the Sept. 9 program:

2 Comments

Jim Spatz

10/15/2025 07:40:52 am

I am emailing because in DEP’s Healthy Waters Newsletter, a monthly publication to highlight work on nutrient pollution reduction efforts done by various local, state, and federal partners throughout Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, we are including a blurb that highlights the Floating Classroom on the Susquehanna in a recent article you wrote.

I would like permission to include the picture from this article in our October 2025 edition of the Healthy Waters Newsletter.

I am hoping for a response from you by no later than COB on Monday, October 27th for timely distribution of the newsletter.

John Zaktansky

10/15/2025 09:06:05 am

Jim,

That is completely fine. Please feel free to use this. We have one more post coming out about our Floating Classroom from yesterday once I have the final photos taken .. it was our last one of the season focusing on trees found along waterways and how they can directly impact trout.

John

Riverkeeper reflections