LEWISBURG — Connecting, exploring and inspiring people with a common love of the water is the main focus of the 17th annual Susquehanna River Symposium, which wraps up today at Bucknell University.
Experts in the field of watershed science and engineering are presenting a wide range of topics at the symposium, hosted by the Bucknell Center for Sustainability and the Environment, and the Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center at Penn State.
Topics include river health and resiliency, watershed art, ecological contribution to society, community partnerships and renewable energy.
Chairman for the symposium, Dr. Bill Hayes, said there are opportunities for the public to ask questions and have breakout discussions exploring the deep connections to rivers-spiritually, recreationally and ecologically.
Rivers from across the country were featured in oral and poster presentations from over 150 faculty, students and professionals.
Hayes said “the event is not a high-brow event,” as members of the general public were encouraged to interact with academics and professionals through presentations and breakout discussions.
“This year’s event brings together many different stories and perspectives about the importance of rivers and watersheds in our lives,” said Hayes. “Voices included Native American leaders, scientists from across the United States and professional fly-fishermen who earn their living working on the water.”
There were oral and poster presentations from universities, conservancies, emergency response officials and state and federal agencies.
“Our rivers are precious to us. Our goal is a common one to have students and the public to work together towards a sustainable future for this region,” said Hayes.
Hayes also said his students were presenting their work on using trees and left over logs taken from the clearing of gas fracking sites to create trout habitat in area streams and watersheds.
Among those participating in the symposium on Friday was keynote speaker Sid Hill, Tadodaho (chief) of the Onondaga and Keeper of the Flame of the Six Nation Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
The Onondaga are located in Syracuse, New York. Hill travels across the country advocating for environmental awareness and land protection. This past July, the largest return of land in New York history occurred when 1,000 acres were returned to the Onondaga.
“The giveback is an opportunity to apply traditional ecological knowledge to renew our stewardship obligations to restore these lands and waters and to preserve them for the future generations yet to come,” Hill said.
Among the speakers was Betty Lyons, president and executive director of the American Indian Law Alliance, who presented a program titled “Sacred Waters: An Indigenous People’s Perspective.” An indigenous and environmental activist, Lyons is a citizen of the Onondaga Nation.
Lance Wilt, world-renowned fly-fishing guide and author, presented a program titled “Ever Changing Rivers — A Professional Guide’s Perspective.” Wilt coached the United States Youth Fly Fishing Team to its first gold medal in an international competition. A fly-fishing guide for the past two decades in North and South America, he has authored several technical articles in industry leading publications.
Jeff Janvrin, a habitat specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, delivered a session titled “Healing Rivers: A Conservation Biologists Perspective.” Janvrin is helping improve the river ecology in the upper Mississippi River basin.
Representatives from environmental organizations from across the region also had exhibits, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
