We Made It!

After 30 days and more than 400 miles, the Expedition Susquehanna team has completed its journey to explore the Susquehanna River and the communities that connect to it.

Starting at the headwaters in Cooperstown, NY on June 18th the group paddled their way to CBF’s headquarters in the Chesapeake Bay, reaching shore on July 18th to a crowd of cheering family, friends and CBF staff.

These remarkable students and CBF crew shared a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which none will forget. Not many people can say they’ve gone on a 30-day paddle trip, but Team Susquehanna can!

The team learned about nature, wildlife, mining, water quality, macro invertebrates, farming, snorkeling, and so much more. But they also accomplished a major feat they persevered through one of the worst flooding events in recent history.

At the end of the first week, the team was greeted into Pennsylvania with several days of pounding rains that washed away their campsites, and resulted in wet sleeping bags, wet tents, wet everything! The rains were heavy, consistent, and lasted for several days. The result; flooding that kept them off the water for more than a week.

Rather than pouting at their misfortune, the team took the high road and instead lent a hand to communities impacted by the flood. One of their days was spent in the Bloomsburg area cleaning out basements and helping families that had been impacted by the flood.

As a testament to their character, the students said they didn’t mind getting dirty and helping out, and that they really enjoyed helping others and making a positive difference.

In addition, these students helped to celebrate the efforts of local volunteers across the watershed that are working in their own backyards to help restore and protect the rivers and streams in their own communities, these streams upon which the health of the Bay so vitally depends.

Watershed Expo events were held in Sunbury, Harrisburg, and Lancaster County. Expos brought together watershed stakeholders from local conservation and restoration groups, watershed groups, anglers farmers and other agricultural interests, as well as state and local decision makers.

Local group representatives brought displays and prepared presentations on recent initiatives and projects.

Special guests included Skip Wieder from Geisinger Health Services and convener of the Susquehanna Heartland Coalition, Cindy Dunn, Brook Lenker and Amy Hill from DCNR, Kelly Over and Tyler Rice from PA Future Farmers of America, Dr. Doug Austin of the Fish and Boat Commission, Dave Myers with the Governor’s Office, and Secretary Dennis Wolff, Department of Agriculture.

Once back on the water, the students were ready to explore the river and some of the local waterways as well. One day was spent paddling down the Conestoga River in Lancaster County to see first-hand how agriculture can negatively impact water quality, both by pollutants entering the stream from run-off, and by allowing cows access to creeks and streams.

From there they spent another day or two in Pennsylvania, and then paddled off into Maryland, visiting the Susquehanna Flats, the city of Baltimore, and spending a day out on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay to fish for Rockfish and meet with watermen who make their living from the Bay.

Finally, on day 30, the team paddled into the beach of the Merrill Center to parents, friends, and CBF staff who anxiously awaited their arrival. 30 days away from home is a long time, but Travis Stotelmyer of Halifax said it best:

“In the beginning in was hard to say goodbye to our families. Now, today, it’s hard to say goodbye again. We’ve spent 30 days together, and together we’ve created our own new family. So now today it’s again hard to say goodbye.”

For a look back at the exciting adventures, including blogs, photos and videos, visit the Expedition Susquehanna webpage.

7/28/2006