Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast series
As an additional way to tell the story of our river, its tributaries and the creatures and people that depend on the extended Middle Susquehanna watershed, we have created the following series of podcasts interviewing people who are passionate about clean water and our environment. If you have feedback or would like to suggest an interview, send an email to [email protected]
Matt Kaunert, Lycoming College CWIAugust 29, 2024 -- The newest Director of Lycoming College's Clean Water Institute, Matt Kaunert has a long history of Eastern hellbender research in western PA. He shares some of that and his nest box work, what he's seen in studying hellbender reproduction and trends across the state. Interview by Riverkeeper John Zaktansky.
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Dr. Peter Petokas, Hellbender researcherAugust 14, 2024 -- We check back in with Dr. Peter Petokas and his work on the Eastern hellbender in the Susquehanna River watershed to see what the species' status current status is, what work is being done and how we can act now to preserve the hellbender before it is too late. Interview by Riverkeeper John Zaktansky.
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Mike Toolan, Musser Gap officialJuly 11, 2024 -- Mike Toolan, the Musser Gap Conservation Director, talks about the 355-acre Musser Gap Greenway. The venue, created via a partnership with Penn State University and the Clearwater Conservancy, is dedicated to connecting people to nature while water quality and habitat in Centre County. Interview by West Branch Regional Director Andrew Bechdel
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Danielle Tryon, sculpin researcherJuly 2, 2024 -- Susquehanna University graduate Danielle Tryon shares details about her study on sculpin done at the Freshwater Research Institute's stream channels that look at how the species reacts to thermal changes in a waterway, some interesting discoveries and what we should learn from this work. Interview by Riverkeeper John Zaktansky.
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Jay Schofield, summer internJune 5, 2024 -- Susquehanna University student Jay Schofield discusses the interconnectedness of our ecosystems and how we can have a positive impact, enjoyment of restoration projects like an analog beaver dam effort at the university and the importance of volunteering. Interview by Riverkeeper John Zaktansky.
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Sarah Joy, summer internJune 4, 2024 -- Susquehanna University student Sarah Joy talks about what brought her from Florida to central Pennsylvania, what sparked her love of nature and why environmental education and advocacy is so important for her and others. Interview by Riverkeeper John Zaktansky.
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Theadora Duane, summer internMay 28, 2024 -- Dickinson College student and Bloomsburg native Theadora Duane shares about her journey to study environmental work starting as early as the third grade, lessons she has learned from beekeeping at college and why it is so important for people to get outdoors and into nature.
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Tom Clark, AMD specialistApril 15, 2024 -- Tom Clark, the Abandoned Mine Program Project Development Manager for Kleinfelder Engineering, has a long history of working with Abandoned Mine Drainage issues in the state. He talks about those experiences as well as recent opportunities for treatment via funding, including $68 million for a project on the Tioga River. Interview by Northern Tier Regional Director Emily Shosh.
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Michael Kinney, MSRKA presidentApril 30, 2024 -- Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association President Michael Kinney discusses the preparation before his 200-plus-mile adventure paddling the West Branch of the Susquehanna River which begins May 1. He talks about what inspired the trip, what has gone into planning and what he hopes to achieve while on the river.
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Joshua Caldwell, film directorApril 22, 2024 -- Joshua Caldwell, director of the film "Mending the Line" which has been trending on Netflix and other online platforms, talks about the therapy of fly fishing, the importance of protecting our clean water resources, details behind the success of the film and what he hopes people take away from it.
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Tom Keller, PGC furbearer biologistMarch 26, 2024 -- A furbearer biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Tom Keller is at the forefront of the agency's American Marten reintroduction project. He speaks about that head of the agency's April plan decision as well as trends in other mammals, including the muskrat.
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Dr. Edward Levri, Biology professorMarch 5, 2024 -- Professor of Biology at Penn State Altoona, Dr. Edward Levri has studied the invasive New Zealand mud snail extensively both abroad and locally. He shares details on why it is so dangerous to our aquatic ecosystem and some ways we can all help slow its spread.
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Laura LeBeau, Commonwealth BeatFebruary 26, 2024 -- Laura LeBeau with the popular statewide radio program Commonwealth Beat interviewed Riverkeeper John Zaktansky about his job, the state of the Susquehanna River and the Songs of the Susquehanna project, encouraging people to give feedback ahead of the Feb. 29 deadline.
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Andrew Bechdel, Regional director, MSRKAFeb. 6, 2024 -- New part-time West Branch Regional Director for the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, Bechdel has a long history of environmental education and talks about the value of connecting with our natural resources and how he wants to best represent the needs of the western portion of the watershed.
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Emily Shosh, Regional director, MSRKAFeb. 3, 2024 -- Recently hired as the part-time Northern Tier Regional Director for the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, Shosh also serves as Communications and Outreach Advisor for the Potter County Conservation District. She talks about her background, the region and ways people can make a difference.
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Sydney Stark, Megan Schall and Geoff Smith, Flatheads Part 3Nov. 2, 2022 -- Research student Sydney Stark, Assistant Professor of Biology at Penn State-Hazleton Megan Schall and PA Fish and Boat Commission biologist Geoffrey Smith wrap up their discussion on invasive flathead catfish with findings from recent dietary studies and the importance of community involvement.
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Geoff Smith, Sydney Stark and Megan Schall, Flatheads part 2Aug. 6, 2022 -- PA Fish and Boat Commission biologist Geoffrey Smith, research student Sydney Stark and Assistant Professor of Biology at Penn State-Hazleton Megan Schall continue the discussion about flatheads by looking at other waterways where flatheads have invaded and what red flags are being seen in the Susquehanna.
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Megan Schall, Geoff Smith & Sydney Stark, Invasive FlatheadsJuly 14, 2022 -- Assistant Professor of Biology at Penn State-Hazleton Megan Schall, PA Fish and Boat Commission biologist Geoffrey Smith and research student Sydney Stark talk about aquatic invasive species with a focus on the flathead catfish. ** This is the first of what will be a three-part series on the flathead and its impacts regionally.
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Richard Hess, Ex-Land Specialist for the Montour PreserveMar. 24, 2022 -- Marking the 50th anniversary of the Montour Preserve, we check in with the original land specialist on the flooding from Agnes, other historical and memorable moments and the significance of the preserve today and in the future.
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William Ryan, musician & studentJune 4, 2021 -- William Ryan, a Marine Corps veteran and Penn State grad student in Environmental Resource Management, was one of 36 musicians to get involved in our Songs of the Susquehanna project. Listen to his song, his inspiration and his efforts to protect our waterway resources.
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Faran Savitz, Microplastics studyMarch 26, 2021 -- A conservation associate for PennEnvironment, Faran Savitz was one of two people behind a recent study that indicated the massive proliferation of microplastics in waterways across the state. He talks about the study and what we should learn from it.
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Dr. Kathleen Mullen, veterinarianJan. 28, 2021 -- Kathleen Mullen, a veterinarian at Littleton Equine in Colorado, talks about a study she was a part of in our watershed that potentially links fracking chemicals to sick foals at a northern PA farm. Check out the full story package here.
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John LEVITSKY, Water SpecialistJan. 13, 2020 -- John Levitsky, watershed specialist for the Luzerne County Conservation District, talks about Abandoned Mine Drainage issues, including the Plainsville Borehole Discharge and what his plans are (and hurdles he's faced in tackling the issues at this site.
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John Zaktansky, RiverkeeperDec. 7, 2020 -- Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky chats with WKOK radio personality Mark Lawrence on the Sunrise program about the HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) Program, Songs of the Susquehanna and other projects.
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JOHN ZaNGARI-RYAN, Kayaking expertNov. 24, 2020 -- John Zangari-Ryan has kayaked across the United States, but feels we have the most diverse paddling experience right here on the Susquehanna. He chats about kayak routes he developed, kayak camps he provides for kids and the health of our watershed.
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VAN WAGNER, Eels in the classroomOct. 21, 2020 -- Renowned watershed educator, historian and musician Van Wagner talks about lessons learned with students via a unique "Eels in the Classroom" program, why eels used to play such a vital role in the region's waterways and what happened along the way.
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MARC YAGGI, Waterkeeper AllianceOct. 15, 2020 -- Marc Yaggi, the executive director for the Waterkeeper Alliance, was raised on the banks of the Loyalsock Creek. He shares his story from playing in local waterways to overseeing a global movement to confront pollution and take back our water-based resources.
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RICH BEST, Certified SCUBA instructorSept. 30, 2020 -- Rich Best, owner of the renowned Sunken Treasure SCUBA Center near Jersey Shore, talks about trends and threats he has noticed within the Susquehanna River, efforts to pull more than 12,000 tires from our waterways and a sunken canal barge he found.
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MIKE DUPUY, Licensed falconerSept. 17, 2020 -- Mike Dupuy, a longtime falconer out of Snyder County, shares some feedback about various species of raptors (such as ospreys, bald eagles, etc.) we can find along the river and its tributaries in our region. He also talks about current-day threats they face.
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John Zaktansky, riverkeeperAug. 23, 2020 -- WVIA Radio's Lisa Mazzarella interviewed Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky for a recent episode of Keystone Edition. The original broadcast is here.
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