Self-professed 'nature nerd' sparked by fly fishing experience to look deeper at ecosystem, inspire others

A graduate of Lock Haven University’s recreation management program, Andrew Bechdel continues to find ways to connect people with the outdoors – a passion personally sparked in him by family experiences as a child.

“Growing up, my family didn’t really go on vacations to amusement parks or anything like that. We were always taking weekend trips and vacations to state parks and national parks,” he said. “Hiking with my parents, especially my dad, was such a big part of who we were as a family and who I was. I always enjoyed being in the woods and the solitude it gave me.”

Bechdel added that his focus while being outdoors has changed quite a bit in recent years.

“It has been less about the adventure and more about actually studying these places I am exploring, thinking more like an ecologist, more like a naturalist,” he said. “That includes doing plant identification, tree identification, going birding, identifying different species, that sort of thing.”

This shift was sparked by a fly-fishing trip with a friend.

“He took me to Spring Creek and it was the first time I actually put on waders and went in water. It gave me a whole different experience than hiking the ridges and mountains that I am used to,” he said. “(My friend) showed me how to look for aquatic insects, where fish would be, how to read the water, it was a totally different experience.

“From then on, I just have become more obsessed with exploring these tributaries, the Susquehanna and wetlands. It transformed me from being a hiker and adventurer to being sort of this nature nerd.”

This new perspective has helped Bechdel better understand aquatic ecology, and some of the threats our river and its tributaries face – including a lack of riparian buffers and an influx of invasive plant species.

“If those natural buffers aren’t there, then the stream really has no defense against erosion, pollutants including both point and non-point source pollution. Thankfully I have seen a lot of activity lately of people trying to go in and restore those kind of areas,” he said, adding that he is also concerned about the status of invasive species in our region.

“About a third of the state’s plant life is invasive, creating sort of mono-cultures that choke out the native species,” he said. “There has been a lot of research that shows things like the more invasive (plant) species you have, the less birds (and other species) you will have because they aren’t natural host plants for insects and other important parts of the ecosystem.”

Bechdel serves as a STEP AmeriCorps volunteer with the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership and was an assistant environmental educator via the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, along with serving as a traveling day camp director for Krislund Camp and Conference Center. Through these and other roles, he strives to connect more people with our natural resources.

“I just want to help people get outside, enjoy these resources and hopefully help do something to protect them,” he said.

For more about Andrew Bechdel, who can be contacted via email at [email protected], check out the full conversation via our most recent episode of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast via this audio player:

Check out our podcast page for the most up-to-date list of previous podcast episodes. Also, you can access them individually here:

• Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper summer intern Peyton Curley about serving the association this year and what sparked her passion for our environment.
• The Susquehanna River Basin Commission's Jeremey Hoffman on water draw efforts, regulatory thresholds and when to report a concern.
• Susquehanna University's Lou Ann Tom on her groundbreaking research to help reduce pharmaceutical impacts on our aquatic ecosystem.
• Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance Chairman David Staebler on the association's 20th anniversary and important projects completed.
• The Chesapeake Conservancy's Shannon Thomas on the importance of live staking to restore streambanks.
• Former Montour Preserve Land Management Specialist Richard Hess on memorable moments of the preserve while marking its 50th anniversary year this year.
• Susquehanna Greenway Partnership's Alana Jajko on the new outdoor expo planned for June 4.
• Aaron Eldred, watershed specialist with Columbia County Conservation District, on the importance of watershed groups and technology in the work he does.​
• Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Ben Lorson on how road salt is increasing salinity in the state's waterways.
• Environmentalist Doug Fessler on his efforts to clean up litter along the river, and how others can do the same.
• Wildlife Leadership Academy executive director Michele Kittell Connolly on efforts to recruit new youth into this summer's programming.
• Artist Mickayla Poland on a mural project in Elk County that raises stormwater awareness.
• Roambler.com creator Katie Caputo on why it is so important to get people outdoors.
• Catawissa Creek Restoration Association President Ed Wytovich on the threats that keep the Catawissa from reaching its potential and how people can get involved.
• Retired PA Game Commission Wildife Diversity Supervisor Dan Brauning on the lessons learned from bald eagle and osprey restoration.
• DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn on parks, waterway buffers and connecting people to the outdoors.
• DEP's Tom Mears and Randy Farmerie on petroleum spills on our waterways.
• Author Colin Jerolmack on his new book looking at fracking impacts within our watershed.
• Penn State educator Pete Allison on the power of connecting people to our natural resources.
• Wild Trout Man Dr. Joseph Simons III on his video series showcasing wild trout fly fishing and the conservation needed to clean up our waterways and protect our natural resources.
• Eric Skrivseth and Eric Rosengrant, of the Moshannon Creek Watershed Association, talk about their efforts to clean up the waterway over the past year.
• Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition of Abandoned Mine Reclamation's Bobby Hughes on the widespread issue of Abandoned Mine Drainage.
• Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association intern Danielle Tryon on her background and plans for the future.
• ​Susquehanna University researcher and stream restoration expert Matt Wilson on a variety of local projects.
• Hiawatha Paddleboat captain Mike Strunk on the history of the vessel heading into its 40th season, cool things he gets to see on the river so often and the importance of our Floating Classroom series.
• PSU graduate student and musician William Ryan on his inspirational Songs of the Susquehanna submission and the importance of making changes for the river.
• Susquehanna University intern Morgan Thomas on being one of two summer interns for the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association.
• Watershed management extension specialist for the Penn State Extension Tyler Groh chats about agricultural and urban stormwater issues.
• PSU graduate research assistant Kathryn Hayden on endocrine disruptors in our waterways.
• DEP aquatic biologist supervisor Douglas Orr on the Black Fly Suppression Program.
• Outdoor educator Lou Ann Gasperine on why young people need outdoor education.
• Master naturalist Jon Beam talks about the importance of vernal pools and how we can better protect them.
• Hellbender researcher Peter Petokas on trends in hellbender populations and how we can protect the species.
• Columbia County Conservtion District water specialist Brittney Hartzell on waterway issues within the county and the importance of stepping up to make a difference.
• PennEnvironment researcher Faran Savitz on a recent study that shows a microplastic proliferation in waterways across the state.
• Susquehanna Greenway Partnership's Corey Ellison on how her organization connects the region's land and water trails.
• Pennsylvania Master Naturalist director Michele Richards on the program and the impact of naturalists with our environmental resources.
• Bass pro and high school educator Casey Magaragle on his fishing exploits, Sneaky Hollow Bait Company and the thrill of coaching students to state and national fishing titles.
• Brenda Sieglitz on the Keystone10 Million Trees Partnership, how trees help clean up our waterways and the need for 1,300 new landowners to come forward for free trees from the program in the next year.
• Former state representative and senator Franklin Kury on his efforts to spark the Clean Water Act and Environmental Rights Amendment, the 50th anniversary of the movement and his new book due out soon. 
• Veterinarian Kathleen Mullen on her study involving sick foals and potential ties to fracking.
• Andrew Dehoff, of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, on the group's 50th anniversary.
• Don Shappelle, musician, on creating river songs with young people and the Songs of the Susquehanna project.
• John Levitsky, water specialist for the Luzerne County Conservation District, on abandoned mine drainage at the Plainsville Borehole Discharge.
• Cain Chamberlin, of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, on the Tunkhannock Creek's nomination for River of the Year.
• R. John Dawes, the creator of the Water Report app that allows anglers and others to share their catches and help us track health trends in our fish species.
• Kathleen Lavelle, of Trout Unlimited, on a unique fish relocation project she helped oversee, trout-based trends in the region and the importance of volunteering
• John Dawes, of the Foundation for PA Watersheds, on assisting smaller watershed groups, acid mine drainage and other waterway threats.
• ProtectNorthernPA.org founder Diana Dakey on her concerns about the production and transportation of liquified natural gas.
• Teen kayaker and angler Lila Oast on how kayaking has opened doors for her.
• Outdoor educator Jon Beam and Audubon member Gary Metzger with an overview of duck species and the threats they face in our watershed.
• Renee Carey of the Northcentral Pa. Conservancy on the importance of preservation and public access.
• Benjamin Hayes, director of Bucknell University's Watershed Sciences and Engineering Program on health of the river.
• Salmon angler Steve Kurian on benefits of clean water and fresh fish.
• Educator Van Wagner on his unique Eels in the Classroom program and the importance of eels.
• Waterkeeper Alliance Executive Director Marc Yaggi on growing up in the Middle Susquehanna watershed and his quest in the fight for clean water.
• Outdoor educator Jolene Connelly on the importance of getting youth and women on our waterways
• Diving instructor Rich Best on trends, treasures and threats under the Susquehanna
• Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers spokesperson Tali MacArthur on the importance of assisting a watershed group
• Falconer Mike Dupuy on raptors of our river and the threats they face
• Fish and Boat Commission spokesman Mike Parker on the agency's efforts during COVID and the historic unexpected start to trout season
• Wesley Forest Camp director Emily Sliski with stories of getting young people engaged with nature at camp and on the Penns Creek
• Professional angler and YouTuber John Oast on how he got his start, what he has learned along the way and observations of the river
• Biologist David Lieb on the concerning trend of exotic crayfish eradicating native species in our watershed and how it is impacting the ecosystem