Twenty-nine students split across two days explore Wellsboro state park in HERYN expansion program

Twenty-nine young people representing Tioga, Bradford, Centre, Clinton and Northumberland counties participated in one of two Northern Tier HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) program days on July 24-25, 2024, at Hills Creek State Park in Wellsboro, PA. 

"Both days consisted of a well-rounded experience for participants," said event organizer Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association Northern Tier Regional Director Emily Shosh, who led a Plants Hike in the morning with participants while Ryan Orgitano, Source Water Protection Specialist with PA Rural Water Association, provided a Macroinvertebrate and Stream Study.

In the afternoon, longer sessions were dedicated to fishing with Hills Creek State Park Educator Jim Mucci, who is nearing 50 years in his position at the park. Mucci was joined by Cody Whipple, Tioga State Forest Educator, and Christie Roslund, Park Intern.

The session included an overview to fishing, including a fileting and fish frying demonstration. To supplement the participant’s catches during fileting and cooking, Mucci supplied some fish filets from some of his personal Alaskan fishing trips.

The afternoon also consisted of kayaking with Susan Schenck, Lyman Run and Cherry Springs State Park Environmental Education Specialist, and Park Intern Katie.

Many students were new to kayaking and gained much more confidence in boating on the lake, which was a major priority of the Northern Tier HERYN.

"Along with that goal," said Shosh, "the Northern Tier HERYN aimed to lean into a variety of participant interests, provide outdoor skill building and provide information about ecosystem and steam health."

“Fishing was my favorite, I could have done that all day,” said participant Hagen Parsons of Wellsboro, PA. 

Another participant, Asaph Wilbur of Gillett, PA, eagerly shared her knowledge of plants during the morning hike. “I love making terrariums at home, and the mosses along the trails are a good thing to add to them!”

The HERYN program was developed by the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association in 2021 as an annual opportunity to help engage young people ages 9-13 with both fishing and kayaking skills to build confidence and generate long-term interest in the aquatic resources. HERYN programs have been held each summer since at a campground near New Columbia, with an expansion day program added earlier this year at the Bald Eagle State Park.

"We hope that all participants left the program with confidence in their skills and knowledge of the outdoors and are thus a bit better prepared to one day become stewards of the land and a voice for our watersheds," said Shosh. "A special thanks goes out to the Hills Creek State Park complex, and our Riverkeeper volunteers, Board President Micheal Kinney, and interns Thea Duane, Jay Schofield and Sarah Jay."

Check out a newspaper article about the program, printed in the Wellsboro Gazette, titled "Teaching youth nature's little things" by clicking here.

​Learn more about the expanded HERYN program opportunities by clicking here.