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Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition
for Environmental Studies
The Susquehanna River Heartland
Coalition for Environmental Studies (SRHCES) is a nascent watershed organization
whose geographic focus is the entire Susquehanna River West Branch watershed in
Pennsylvania. The West Branch Susquehanna watershed drains an area of
approximately 4,466 million acres, just under 7,000 square miles. At present,
SRHCES partners include representatives from six academic institutions
(Bloomsburg University, Susquehanna University, Bucknell University, Lock Haven
University, Kings College, and Lycoming College), the PA Department of
Environmental Protection, the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, the Western
Pennsylvania Conservancy, SEDA-COG, Forum-for-the-Future, and the Geisinger
Health System.
SRHCES Mission:
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Promote collaborative community-based research opportunities
between local organizations and colleges and universities.
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· Create multi-disciplinary educational opportunities for
undergraduates interested in the natural and cultural resources of the
Susquehanna River.
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Develop shared environmental education curriculums that would
involve the partner colleges and universities.
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· Design and promote a Susquehanna River website to be used by the
college and university partners, area K-12 teachers, and other community
partners that would act as a resource fro current and historical educational and
community-based research projects.
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· Design and implement K-12 teacher-training programs using local
community-based organizations and colleges and universities.
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Create a model for other states by creating a multi-institution
and multi-disciplinary education collaboration that connects undergraduates
attending institutions in the Lower Susquehanna region with local communities
and environmental organizations.
SRHCES Projects:
SRHCES is currently initiating major projects on the Lower
West Branch, which extends approximately 77 miles from Lock Haven to Sunbury,
Pennsylvania. Major initiatives planned or underway include:
· Monitoring of water quality in the Susquehanna River Lower West
Branch at 17 sites between Lock Haven and Sunbury.
· Assessment of the effectiveness of riparian buffers to reduce
Non-point Source Pollution in the Chillisquaque Creek at PPL’s Montour Preserve.
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An annual “BioBlitz” to identify all biological resources in a
geographic area.
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The development of a field station and a mobile education and
research center
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Assessment of the status of an endangered Lamp Mussel in White
Deer Creek
For additional information, please contact
Mel Zimmerman
PA Environmental Digest Article on SRHCES
Geisinger Center for Health and Rural Advocacy
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