Advertise on podcast: Susquehanna Scout

Hear the story of Rob Evans, a lifelong artist based in York County with a passion for the Susquehanna River. He began collecting works of art depicting the Susquehanna River several years ago, and it’s grown to the point that he helped found the nonprofit Friends of the Susquehanna River Art Collection.  He explains how this collection of river-inspired art serves as a microcosm of American history. Additionally, it establishes the Susquehanna River as a key influence in the founding of the first authentic school of American art, the Hudson River School.  The Friends organization continues to grow: They’re acquiring a gallery space in Columbia, Lancaster County, that will serve as a permanent home for part of the collection. And the Friends are appointing Rob Evans’ daughter and artist Quinn Evans as the organization’s first executive director.  Meantime, part of the collection is also housed in the renovated farmhouse galleries at the Historic Hellam Nature Preserve owned by the Lancaster Conservancy.  And in today's Final Four: Cassie Farrelly of Hershey shares her memories of the Lock Haven Labor Day Regatta which takes place on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. She also discusses her favorite spot on the Susquehanna, the lookout at Hyner Mountain, and some of the recreational activities that are common there.   The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

One of the most well-known landmarks associated with the Susquehanna River is the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Middletown, Pa.  It’s the site of what’s considered the worst commercial nuclear accident in U.S. history, when a partial nuclear meltdown of the Unit 2 reactor happened in March of 1979.  David Allard not only explains where he was in March of 1979, but he helps us make sense of the lessons learned in the wake of TMI, including response and recovery efforts, heightened nuclear safety concerns, the psychological impact on the general public, nuclear industry regulations, and improved communication. He also talks about continued challenges facing the nuclear industry today, including radioactive waste management.  Allard is a medical health physicist with more than 45 years of experience in radiation protection. A nationally and internationally-recognized expert, Allard retired after 24 years as director of the Bureau of Radiation Protection with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.   TMI’s Unit 1 went offline in 2019. But in 2024, Constellation Energy announced a plan to bring Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 back online, rebranded as the Crane Clean Energy Center, to ramp up for increasing electricity needs.   Allard explains why he has no concerns over the restart of Unit 1, and he invites the public to the next meeting (Sept. 30, 2026) of the TMI Unit 2 Community Advisory Panel which he currently serves as chairperson.  In the Final Four: Tom Comrey of Susquehanna Township explains how fishing along the Susquehanna brings him peace, especially when his teenaged son joins him.  The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Lancaster-based genealogist, historian and researcher Eric Schubert guides us through a fascinating story weaving together Pennsylvania history, early industries such as lumber, and Susquehanna River towns that sprung up as a result. Against this backdrop, many community leaders’ careers were made – and that included a fascinating figure named Barr Spangler.  Spangler, 1822 – 1922, was a prominent resident of a river town, Marietta, Lancaster County, who ran a dry goods store and became the oldest-serving bank president of his time – and quite possibly in American history.  Schubert, of ES Genealogy, explains how listeners can begin similar research and genealogy projects of their own. And he explains why he believes there are many additional stories such as Barr Spangler’s waiting to be discovered along the Susquehanna.  Schubert’s Master’s thesis from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, “Barr Spangler (1822–1922) and the Prohibition Party of Pennsylvania,” was recognized by the Pennsylvania Historical Association.  And in today's Final Four: Cassie Farrelly of Hershey shares her memories of growing up along the Susquehanna River in Lock Haven and how the Susquehanna compares to other rivers she's seen in her world travels. The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

If Pennsylvania had an “eel whisperer” or “eel ambassador” it might be Aaron Henning, an aquatic biologist with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.   In this podcast, he demystifies this snake-like fish to explain why this native species is so unique, and why it was historically vital to Pennsylvania’s Native American populations.  Henning also explains why American Eels virtually disappeared from Susquehanna River waterways over the years – and how they’re now making a comeback.  We also learn how, ten years ago, Henning created the program “Eels in the Classroom,” now flourishing in 81 school districts across the Susquehanna River watershed in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York. And on a personal note, he explains why “Eels in the Classroom” honors the memory of his mother.  The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

An excited crowd of 100 people filled a small Hummelstown park in May to plant the ceremonial 10 millionth tree as part of the Keystone 10 Million Trees initiative. This endeavor was spearheaded by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in partnership with more than 300 organizations across Pennsylvania and accomplished over eight years.  Susquehanna Scout went on the road to capture the ceremonial highlights and explore the connection between those 10 million trees and the Susquehanna River. Not only do trees absorb and filter polluted runoff from stormwater before it enters waterways, but tree roots stabilize stream and riverbanks.  Today’s podcast features:   Hilary Harp Falk, President and CEO, Chesapeake Bay Foundation  Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources  Jessica Shirley, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection  Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin)  Rep. Nikki Rivera (D-Lancaster)  Hummelstown Mayor David Roeting  Julia Krall, Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Pennsylvania  B.J. Small, former Communications Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Pennsylvania.  Listen to Susquehanna Scout’s previous episodes for more background on today’s guests:  How the Susquehanna Shapes PA with Cindy Adams Dunn  How does the Susquehanna impact the Chesapeake Bay? with Julia Krall  The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

How could data centers affect the Susquehanna River and its water supply?   Andrew Dehoff, executive director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), addresses that question and explains how the SRBC is charged with regulating water usage from the river.  He explains how many data center projects are approved for water use and how many applications are in review through the SRBC. He also talks about alternative methods data centers could use, rather than those that use water.  Additionally, we dive into Dehoff’s background, history with the SRBC, and additional projects the SRBC is currently tackling across Pennsylvania as well as Maryland and New York.  The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

It’s where the waterway meets the greenway: Think of the Susquehanna River as a continuous connector of parks, trails, and towns across Pennsylvania. That’s the focus of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) and its executive director, Alana Jajko.  Jajko explains the mission behind the SGP and how people can explore the Susquehanna River using the organization’s many resources, including trail maps for both land and water.  Recent SGP projects include helping Williamsport connect and brand several trails, including the Susquehanna River Walk and Timber Trail, into one continuous river trail. The SGP is also working to improve ADA accessibility at river access points along the river.  Jajko also explains how the SGP’s River Towns Program has helped 16 communities along the Susquehanna River tell their stories and achieve River Town designation.  The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast from WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Nearly every morning, for almost 10 years, Harrisburg-area photographer Michael Yatsko has started his day on City Island, in the middle of the Susquehanna River. He captures sunrises illuminating the city skyline, the Susquehanna River and its many bridges.  Susquehanna Scout tags along with Michael Yatsko to find out what propels him out of bed well before sunrise and draws him back to the river, time and time again.  Find out what City Island wildlife shot is on his wish list and learn how the Susquehanna River played a pivotal role in his family history.  This special edition of the Scout includes two versions:   An audio podcast on your favorite podcast platform  A video version available on WITF’s YouTube page  The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

One of the Susquehanna River’s tributaries, the Conestoga, is Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year.  Conestoga River Club (CRC) founder Todd Roy and current executive director Malinda Harnish Clatterbuck explain what the designation means: not that the Conestoga is a shining example of a perfect river, but that the long-polluted waterway is now a river in transition. There’s growing momentum, including the efforts of the CRC, to improve, respect, and enjoy the Conestoga. And it’s essential to Lancaster because the Conestoga supplies 40% of the city’s drinking water.  Roy shares how a grassroots movement led to the CRC’s formation about five years ago. And Harnish Clatterbuck explains how the public can join CRC’s River of the Year events -- including a photo contest – to continue to raise awareness of this vital tributary of the Susquehanna River through 2026 and beyond.  Submit your Final 4 comments by emailing us at: [email protected].  The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Erin Frederick had the idea to launch a statewide program for watershed stewards more than a dozen years ago. But even she admits, she never could have envisioned today’s thriving network of more than 1,000 volunteers across 55 Pennsylvania counties. The Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward Program is modeled after its popular Master Gardener Program.  Frederick explains what watershed volunteers do, as caretakers and citizen scientists for waterways of all sizes, ranging from vernal ponds, streams and creeks to major waterways including the Susquehanna River – and how there’s still a need for more volunteers, statewide.  One of the program’s county coordinators, Jodi Sulpizio explains how York County’s program has grown to nearly 100 volunteers, encompassing high school classrooms and river clean-ups. She even tells the story of how one volunteer was inspired to create and launch a successful tree nursery to support riparian (streamside or riverside) plantings.  Learn more about the Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Program, here.  Submit your Final 4 comments by emailing us at: [email protected].  The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Mark Platts, executive director of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, explains how this nationally recognized region is sparking new awareness of the rich history along the Susquehanna River in both York and Lancaster counties.   SNHA is collecting and sharing stories based upon the Susquehanna’s role as “the lifeblood” of Central Pennsylvania’s communities.  Platts explains how visitors can enjoy the nonprofit SNHA’s historical sites as well as an historic riverboat that it operates.  And Platts even shares a story about his own unique history with riverboats, relating a story about a time in his own life when he lived on a boat.  The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Saying “Good morning” to the Susquehanna River became a ritual that Central PA mom Alyssa Maddalena shared with her young daughter. But she now shares this tradition with a bigger audience through her children’s book “Good Morning, Susquehanna.”  Maddalena, from the Danville area, shares the serendipitous story explaining how she connected with the book’s illustrator, Lisa Madenspacher of Columbia, and why she’s donating partial proceeds from the book to the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association.  We also touch on how the river, through her book, is connecting new generations to the concepts of river conservation and nature.  For more information, see https://alyssamaddalena.com The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Julia Krall, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Pennsylvania office, helps put the Susquehanna River – and its impact on the Chesapeake Bay – into perspective.  Today’s big-picture conversation examines both issues and solutions currently facing the river and bay, touching on oysters, agriculture, the 10 million trees initiative, stream and watershed assessments, and lots of fascinating facts about the river and the bay.   Krall also talks about how growing up along Lebanon County’s Quittapahilla Creek (“the Quittie”) inspired her to pursue a career path in conservation. The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

We explore the Susquehanna River’s history with Sid Jamieson, a Native American of the Cayuga Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy. He joins us from Lewisburg, Union County, where he devoted his career to coaching lacrosse at Bucknell University.  We talk to Sid about Native American history as it relates to the Susquehanna River and a special role Sid played that helped the river attain a national status.   The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.

How does the Susquehanna River define our landscape? We explore the river with Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  Dunn highlights state parks that border or overlook the Susquehanna, provides trail inspiration (both on land and water), and addresses many threats the river currently faces.  It’s a wide-ranging overview of the Susquehanna, what makes it special, how to get started exploring it and how we can protect it.  The Susquehanna Scout, hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks, is a weekly podcast by WITF that explores the Susquehanna River and its ripple effects across Pennsylvania and beyond.