State of the Susquehanna River Assessment

A comprehensive assessment of the physical habitat, aquatic ecology, water quality, and overall health of the Susquehanna River is currently underway by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bucknell University Environmental Center and the scientists from six universities in the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies.

The presentations at this symposium are designed to explore the following:

• What is the research telling us?
• What monitoring and assessment efforts are underway?
• What things are of concern and need further exploration?

Research Partnerships

This assessment combines collaborative research and monitoring from many other organizations working in the watershed, including:

• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
• Chesapeake Bay Commission (CBC)
• Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)
• Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PAFBC)
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP)
• Trout Unlimited (TU)
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)
• Various watershed groups

Research on environmental and cultural aspects of the Susquehanna River, the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay will be featured at the 5th Annual Susquehanna River Symposium entitled Exploring Our Vital Resource, on Friday and Saturday, October 22-23, 2010 on the campus of Bucknell University. The presentations and displays are free and open to the public and I invite you to come to campus and participate.

STUDENT & FACULTY RESEARCH POSTERS
MAPPING OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE
THE JOHN SMITH TRAIL

Friday evening includes exhibits by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and features scientific research posters by over one hundred students and faculty from the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies. A keynote address will be given by Michael Reynolds, Deputy Director of the National Park Service to acknowledge ongoing efforts to extend the John Smith Heritage Trail from the Chesapeake Bay to the above the confluence of the North and West Branches. David O’Neill, President of the Chesapeake Conservancy (formerly the John Smith Heritage Foundation), will report on the significance of the proposed extension, which builds upon recent findings published by regional scholars studying accounts of early Native Americans and European explorers.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH & ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS
STATE OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED

Saturday’s Symposia premiers the State of the Susquehanna Assessment, a comprehensive, long-term, intensive study of the river underway by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission in partnership with Bucknell University and members of the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies. The assessment is intended to provide a comprehensive assessment of river health, from crayfish and hellbenders, to natural gas development and abandoned mine drainage. A keynote address will be given by Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and a leading aquatic scientist helping protect and improve fisheries habitat in the Susquehanna River.

As a native of Pennsylvania, I am immensely proud of our citizen's growing sense of stewardship for the land and waterways. However, we still have a lot of work to do to improve and protect the Susquehanna River. I hope public outreach events such as this symposium will disseminate the latest scientific findings to the public, spark new ideas, and facilitate conversations among ourselves. Please join us for the festivities on Friday, October 22nd and Saturday, October 23rd.

Sincerely,

Benjamin R. Hayes, Ph.D.
Director, Susquehanna River Initiative
Bucknell University Environmental Center

Exploring Our Vital Resource

This symposium is a collaborative effort of:



Bucknell University Environmental Center




Susquehanna Heartland Coalition
for Environmental Studies



Susquehanna RIver Basin Commission

Funding and support provided by:



Bucknell University Environmental Center
Susquehanna River Initiative



Susquehanna Heartland Coalition
for Environmental Studies



The Henry Luce Foundation


Sea Grant Pennsylvania