Susquehanna River Initiative
Bucknell University Environmental Center
the susquehanna river initiative
Bucknell is one of a few universities in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States whose campus borders a major river. The lifeline of central Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay, the Susquehanna has long been cherished by Bucknell students and alumni. The river’s beauty and its lore runs through our history, our stories, and our classrooms.
Bucknell University is located on the banks of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in north-central Pennsylvania. Here is an aerial view of campus and the surrounding area taken in the Fall 2011; view is looking downstream. Lewisburg and Bucknell University are on the right (west) side of the river. The village of Montandon and Montour Ridge (visible in the distance) are on the left (east) side of the river. The route 45 bridge and old Pennsylvania railroad bridge cross the channel in the middle, and Buffalo Creek is visible in the lower right corner. [Photo: © B.Hayes, All rights reserved]
In 2007, the university established the Susquehanna River Initiative (SRI) to promote teaching, research, and community outreach related to the river. The response by the campus and regional community has been tremendous. The SRI has facilitated the teaching and research of over one hundred faculty and students through new interdisciplinary courses, innovative research, and educational outreach activities.
Instrumented field stations for long-term watershed studies have been established at Roaring Creek, a forested catchment on the North Branch in Northumberland County and at Montandon Marsh, a large palustrine wetlands on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River near Lewisburg. Continuous, real-time water quality and flow monitoring stations have also been installed in-the-river, on the West Branch near Milton and the North Branch near Danville. Collaborative research relationships with state and federal agencies are opening new opportunities for students.
The SRI has become a vital part of university, with a vision for sustainable growth which builds upon our existing strengths and identifies unique niches and new opportunities for students.
Instrumented field stations for long-term watershed studies have been established at Roaring Creek, a forested catchment on the North Branch in Northumberland County and at Montandon Marsh, a large palustrine wetlands on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River near Lewisburg. Continuous, real-time water quality and flow monitoring stations have also been installed in-the-river, on the West Branch near Milton and the North Branch near Danville. Collaborative research relationships with state and federal agencies are opening new opportunities for students.
The SRI has become a vital part of university, with a vision for sustainable growth which builds upon our existing strengths and identifies unique niches and new opportunities for students.
our mission
Our mission is four fold:
- Promote scholarly research within the Susquehanna watershed and across the nation and world.
- Create new interdisciplinary teaching opportunities, including new courses, on-the-river laboratories, educational field trips, etc.
- Educational outreach, including river symposium, teaching workshops and short courses, seminars, and forums
- Service to the Bucknell community, including paddling sojourns, stream and wetland cleanups, and more.
Creating new possibilities ...
Restoration and sustainability are key themes of the Susquehanna River Initiative, engaging students and faculty in studies of dam removal, stream and wetlands restoration, aquatic habitat improvement, and much more.
Restoration and sustainability are key themes of the Susquehanna River Initiative, engaging students and faculty in studies of dam removal, stream and wetlands restoration, aquatic habitat improvement, and much more.
Blank Row
Who we are
• A team of over 25 faculty and 50 students collaborating on teaching, research, and outreach endeavors in the Susquehanna watershed.
• Instrumented field research facilties - both in the river, gravel bed tributaries (White Deer Creek, Lycoming, Loyalsock, ad Muncy Creeks), wetlands (Montandon), forested lake/stream/wetlands (Roaring Creek), and agricultural areas (Buffalo Creek);
• Instrumented field research facilties - both in the river, gravel bed tributaries (White Deer Creek, Lycoming, Loyalsock, ad Muncy Creeks), wetlands (Montandon), forested lake/stream/wetlands (Roaring Creek), and agricultural areas (Buffalo Creek);
Contact us
Susquehanna River Initiative
Environmental Center
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Telephone: (570) 577-1830
Email: susquehanna.river.intitiative@bucknell.edu
Environmental Center
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA 17837
Telephone: (570) 577-1830
Email: susquehanna.river.intitiative@bucknell.edu
What we do
• Revamp existing courses or develop entirely new courses that incorporate the local Susquehanna watershed as a context for learning.
• Collaborate on research in the watershed, including air, water, and soil/rocks.
• Collaborate on research in the watershed, including air, water, and soil/rocks.