{"id":494,"date":"2025-07-10T20:22:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T20:22:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/?p=494"},"modified":"2026-02-23T19:05:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T19:05:07","slug":"unassessed-waters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/2025\/07\/10\/unassessed-waters\/","title":{"rendered":"Unassessed Waters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"wp-block-susquehanna-magazine-news-post-hero alignfull susqu-magazine-news-post-hero component\"><figure style=\"padding-right:0;padding-left:0;margin-right:0;margin-left:0\" class=\"susqu-magazine-news-post-hero__featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1261\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_UnassessedWtrs-scaled.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"Four people in waders stand in a shallow stream, measuring and recording data with a measuring tape stretched across the water, while one person stands on a fallen tree trunk.\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_UnassessedWtrs-scaled.webp 2560w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_UnassessedWtrs-300x148.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_UnassessedWtrs-1024x504.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_UnassessedWtrs-768x378.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_UnassessedWtrs-1536x757.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_UnassessedWtrs-2048x1009.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_UnassessedWtrs-1680x828.webp 1680w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h1 class=\"has-text-align-center susqu-magazine-news-post-hero__title wp-block-post-title\">Unassessed Waters<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"sticky-social-share-trigger\" class=\"susqu-magazine-news-post-meta\">  \n\n                <div class=\"susqu-magazine-news-post-meta__item-tags \">\n                                            <div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-pill-button has-icon__caret-right \">\n                    <a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/tag\/cover-story\/\">Cover Story<span class=\"wp-block-button__link-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg aria-hidden=\"\" class=\"icon icon--caret-right\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M9 16.5L16 12L9 7.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\n                <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n    \n        <div class=\"susqu-magazine-news-post-meta__interpunct\">\u2022<\/div>\n        \n            <div class=\"susqu-magazine-news-post-meta__item-categories \">\n                                <div class=\"wp-block-button\">\n                        <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/category\/spring-summer-2025\/\">Spring Summer 2025<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n    \n    <div id=\"sticky-social-share\" class=\"susqu-magazine-news-post-meta__social-sharing\">\n        <p>Share<\/p>\n        <div class=\"share-box\">\n            <ul>\n                <li>\n                    <a title=\"Share on Facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share.php?u=https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/2025\/07\/10\/unassessed-waters\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                        <svg width=\"10\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 10 18\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                            <path d=\"M9.16022 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1 -6.9-12.6c-.4-10.6 3.3-21.5 11.7-29.8l21.1-21.1c5.5-5.5 14.2-6.2 20.6-1.7a152.5 152.5 0 0 1 20.5 17.2zM467.5 44.4c-59.3-59.3-155.7-59.3-215 0l-67.2 67.2c-.1 .1-.3 .3-.4 .4-58.6 58.9-59.4 154.8 .4 214.6a152.5 152.5 0 0 0 20.5 17.2c6.4 4.5 15.1 3.8 20.6-1.7l21.1-21.1c8.4-8.4 12.1-19.2 11.7-29.8a16 16 0 0 0 -6.9-12.6c-2.9-2-6.6-4.9-10.3-8.6-28.1-28.1-28.2-73.6 0-101.8l67.2-67.2c28.2-28.2 74.3-28.1 102.3 .5 27.8 28.3 26.9 73.9-1.2 102l-13.1 13.1c-4.4 4.4-5.8 10.8-3.8 16.6 5.9 17.2 9 35 9.7 52.7 .5 13.9 17.5 20.4 27.3 10.6l37.1-37.1c59.3-59.3 59.3-155.7 0-215z\"\/><\/svg>\n                    <\/a>\n                    <span id=\"copyMessage\">Link Copied!<\/span>\n                    <script>\n                        function copyLink(event, element) {\n                            event.preventDefault();\n\n                            const link = element.getAttribute('data-url');\n                            navigator.clipboard.writeText(link)\n                                .then(() => {\n                                    const message = document.getElementById(\"copyMessage\");\n                                    message.style.visibility = \"visible\";\n                                    message.style.opacity = \"1\";\n                                    setTimeout(() => {\n                                        message.style.visibility = \"hidden\";\n                                        message.style.opacity = \"0\";\n                                    }, 1500);\n                                })\n                                .catch(err => {\n                                    console.error('Failed to copy: ', err);\n                                });\n                        }\n                    <\/script>\n                <\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beyond Our Namesake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the origin of its headwaters in upstate New York and its southern journey through a succession of water gaps on a zigzag path through 284 miles of Pennsylvania\u2019s rural heartland to its final destination at the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay in northeastern Maryland, the 做厙TV River has long been the defining feature of our region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 做厙TV shapes communities, sustains ecosystems and connects us to one of the largest watersheds in the world. Yet, like so many of the nation\u2019s major waterways, it faces ongoing environmental challenges. From sediment buildup to nutrient pollution and habitat degradation, they all threaten the health of&nbsp;the river and the Chesapeake Bay it feeds into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At 做厙TV\u2019s Freshwater Research Institute, a dedicated team of researchers, students and conservation partners don\u2019t just study the problem. They\u2019re leading the charge in watershed restoration, actively improving the health of our river and safeguarding its vitality \u2014 and that of the Chesapeake Bay\u2019s \u2014 for generations to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where Science Meets Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recognizing the urgency of these challenges and with the assistance of a grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, 做厙TV launched the FRI in 2014 as a hub for science-based conservation and hands-on student training. Working in close partnership with local landowners, government agencies and conservation organizations, the Institute is pioneering watershed restoration projects that address the root causes of pollution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a drainage basin spanning more than 27,500 square miles, including nearly half the land area of Pennsylvania, the 做厙TV River is the largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay and provides half of its freshwater. But centuries of&nbsp;agricultural runoff, deforestation and industrial pollution have taken a toll on the river\u2019s overall health. Excess nutrients frequently choke the water with algae blooms, sediment clouds the riverbed and native fish populations \u2014 once abundant \u2014 struggle to survive in a rapidly changing environment. What happens in central Pennsylvania doesn\u2019t just stay here; it ripples downstream, affecting ecosystems, economies and communities throughout the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"504\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-588 size-large\" alt=\"Close-up of water surface with a visible layer of green algae and foam near the edge, next to some floating vegetation.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/COV_Water_JackHolt_DSC0455-1024x504.webp\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/COV_Water_JackHolt_DSC0455-1024x504.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/COV_Water_JackHolt_DSC0455-300x148.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/COV_Water_JackHolt_DSC0455-768x378.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/COV_Water_JackHolt_DSC0455-1536x757.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/COV_Water_JackHolt_DSC0455-2048x1009.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/COV_Water_JackHolt_DSC0455-1680x828.webp 1680w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#76827a\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default has-white-light-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;We all have a stake in the health of our waterways.&#8221;<\/p>\n<cite>Matt Wilson, Director of the FRI and CEER Field Station<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThough the problems and solutions are complex, our mission is very simple: to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems through hands-on research, education and community collaboration,\u201d says <strong>Matt Wilson<\/strong>, director of the FRI and CEER Field Station. \u201cWe\u2019re committed to making a measurable difference in the health of the 做厙TV River and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Restoring Streams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the Institute\u2019s most ambitious efforts is its large-scale stream restoration work and riparian buffer planting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of the region\u2019s waterways have been straightened, channelized or stripped of their natural vegetation, leaving them vulnerable to erosion. FRI scientists, along with student researchers, are helping to reverse that damage by restoring streams to their natural meandering paths and original floodplains, stabilizing eroded banks and replanting native vegetation. These interventions reduce sediment&nbsp;pollution, improve water clarity and create critical habitats for fish, insects and birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_PawpawTrees_21_002-edited-768x1024.webp\" alt=\"A person wearing green gloves and a cap is kneeling on grass, planting a small seedling in the soil.\" class=\"wp-image-650\" style=\"width:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_PawpawTrees_21_002-edited-768x1024.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_PawpawTrees_21_002-edited-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_PawpawTrees_21_002-edited.webp 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Since 2021, over 75 native pawpaw trees have been planted at the CEER Field Station to stabilize the nearby stream bank.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wilson sees firsthand how these restoration projects are reshaping the landscape.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re not just fixing streams; we\u2019re reviving ecosystems,\u201d he explains. \u201cBy restoring the natural curves of a stream, planting riparian buffers and reconnecting floodplains, we\u2019re allowing these waterways to function the way they were meant to. And that has an enormous impact, not only on our local biodiversity but on the health of the 做厙TV River and the entire Chesapeake Bay.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to restoring streams, the FRI is addressing one of the biggest sources of pollution in the 做厙TV River: agricultural runoff.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from farms can cause massive algae blooms that deplete oxygen and create \u201cdead zones\u201d in the Chesapeake Bay. To combat this, students at the Institute work directly with local farmers to implement best management practices \u2014 such as cover cropping, no-till farming and the creation of wetlands \u2014 to filter runoff before it reaches the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur approach is about collaboration,\u201d says Wilson. \u201cFarmers are stewards of the land, and many of them want to be part of the solution. We\u2019re helping to provide the science and resources to make that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Partnership for Precision Conservation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Restoring a watershed as vast and complex as the Chesapeake Bay\u2019s requires not only boots-on-the-ground restoration but also cutting-edge data and collaboration between conservation leaders. Acknowledging this, 做厙TV\u2019s Freshwater Research Institute has enjoyed nearly a decade of collaboration with the Chesapeake Conservancy \u2014 one of the preeminent organizations dedicated to protecting and restoring the resources of the watershed and celebrating the people and places that shape the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Chesapeake Conservancy, based on the shores of the bay in Annapolis, Maryland, is dedicated to protecting and restoring the natural and cultural resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Recognized as a leader in precision conservation, the Conservancy uses advanced technologies like high-resolution mapping, geospatial data analysis and artificial intelligence to target where conservation efforts will have the greatest overall impact. The Conservancy\u2019s work bridges the gap between traditional environmental stewardship and modern innovation, helping its network of conservation partners across the region \u2014 like the Institute and its student researchers \u2014 make informed, strategic decisions to benefit both the people and wildlife that call the watershed home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_iStock-525876856_PatrickWolfPhotography-1024x630.webp\" alt=\"A heron stands in shallow water near the shore of a calm lake at sunset, with trees and rocks lining the edge and a colorful sky overhead.\" class=\"wp-image-725\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_iStock-525876856_PatrickWolfPhotography-1024x630.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_iStock-525876856_PatrickWolfPhotography-300x185.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_iStock-525876856_PatrickWolfPhotography-768x472.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_iStock-525876856_PatrickWolfPhotography-1536x945.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_iStock-525876856_PatrickWolfPhotography-2048x1260.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_iStock-525876856_PatrickWolfPhotography-1680x1033.webp 1680w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chesapeake Bay at sunset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 2016, 做厙TV\u2019s FRI and the Chesapeake Conservancy have worked together to implement these precision conservation strategies \u2014 specifically the Conservancy\u2019s sophisticated mapping tools \u2014 to identify&nbsp;the most critical areas for restoration and the most effective land parcels to restore. By leveraging this technology, the FRI\u2019s student researchers can maximize the impact of their conservation efforts, ensuring that every tree planted and every streambank restored contributes meaningfully to the greater health of the watershed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the Freshwater Research Institute doesn\u2019t just implement the Conservancy\u2019s technology and relish its data. The Institute\u2019s research lab literally houses the Chesapeake Conservancy\u2019s Pennsylvania program \u2014 including seven&nbsp;staff members who also call the Freshwater Research Institute home \u2014 and collaborates with FRI staff and 做厙TV students to implement and study stream restoration projects in central Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together, the FRI and Chesapeake Conservancy operate a network of water quality monitoring stations that provide real-time insights into nutrient levels, sediment loads and overall ecosystem health. This data helps researchers refine restoration strategies and advocate for science-based policy decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This partnership was formalized in 2023 through a memorandum of understanding, which underscored a shared commitment to advancing ecological restoration in the region and beyond. The agreement strengthens ongoing collaborations, merging the Institute\u2019s rigorous scientific research with the Chesapeake Conservancy\u2019s expertise in landscape-scale restoration. Perhaps most significantly, the partnership serves as a model for how universities and conservation organizations can work together to tackle large-scale environmental challenges. By integrating academic research with real-world conservation, 做厙TV\u2019s Freshwater Research Institute and the Chesapeake Conservancy are demonstrating that science and action can, and must, go hand in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe all have a stake in the health of our waterways,\u201d&nbsp;says Wilson. \u201cWhat happens in Pennsylvania affects the Chesapeake Bay, and what we do today shapes the future&nbsp;of our environment. By working together, we can create&nbsp;lasting change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Equipping the Next Generation&nbsp;of Conservation Leaders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A defining aspect of the Freshwater Research Institute\u2019s work is its commitment to student involvement. 做厙TV students don\u2019t just study watershed science in the classroom \u2014 they immerse themselves in the work from their earliest days on campus, conducting field research, collaborating with conservation partners, analyzing data and even presenting their findings to policymakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-susquehanna-photo-gallery-carousel alignfull susqu-pgc\">\n<section class=\"wp-block-susquehanna-photo-gallery-slides pgc__slides-container\"><div class=\"pgc__slides-inner-container\"><div class=\"pgc__slides\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-susquehanna-photo-gallery-slide pgc__slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_BiologyLab_Matlaga_24_GW_047-1024x640.webp\" alt=\"Three people wearing boots kneel in a shallow stream, closely examining the water and rocks; one person holds a clipboard.\" class=\"wp-image-584\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_BiologyLab_Matlaga_24_GW_047-1024x640.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_BiologyLab_Matlaga_24_GW_047-300x188.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_BiologyLab_Matlaga_24_GW_047-768x480.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_BiologyLab_Matlaga_24_GW_047.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-susquehanna-photo-gallery-slide pgc__slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/SmrResearch_MWilson_HN_22_064-1024x640.webp\" alt=\"Three people stand by a muddy stream in a forest, using nets and buckets to collect samples; one wears a large electronic backpack device.\" class=\"wp-image-597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/SmrResearch_MWilson_HN_22_064-1024x640.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/SmrResearch_MWilson_HN_22_064-300x188.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/SmrResearch_MWilson_HN_22_064-768x480.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/SmrResearch_MWilson_HN_22_064.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-susquehanna-photo-gallery-slide pgc__slide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_Ecology_JackHolt_092023_0365-1024x640.webp\" alt=\"A group of people wearing waders listens to a man in a yellow shirt giving instructions outdoors in a wooded area.\" class=\"wp-image-585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_Ecology_JackHolt_092023_0365-1024x640.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_Ecology_JackHolt_092023_0365-300x188.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_Ecology_JackHolt_092023_0365-768x480.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_Ecology_JackHolt_092023_0365.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"pgc__slides-controls\"><button class=\"pgc__slides-control pgc__slides-control--prev\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Previous Slide<\/span><span class=\"pgc__slides-control-icon\"><svg aria-hidden class=\"icon caret-left\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M15 7.5L8 12L15 16.5\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/button><button class=\"pgc__slides-control pgc__slides-control--next\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Next Slide<\/span><span class=\"pgc__slides-control-icon\"><svg aria-hidden class=\"icon caret-right\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M9 16.5L16 12L9 7.5\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/section>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Student research plays a vital role in collecting data that guides overarching restoration strategies. They help monitor water quality at dozens of sites, measuring everything from nutrient levels to macroinvertebrate populations, which serve as indicators of stream health. Their work contributes to regional and national efforts to track the health of the 做厙TV River and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay watershed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-Hepfer-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing a black shirt and backpack, stands outdoors on a grassy area with trees and a path in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-721\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-Hepfer-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-Hepfer-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-Hepfer-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-Hepfer-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-Hepfer-1680x945.webp 1680w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-Hepfer-960x540.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-Hepfer.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Paige Hepfer \u201926<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI spend time each summer at the Institute as one of its \u2018stream team\u2019 interns, helping to conduct stream surveys and supporting other collaborative restoration and research&nbsp;initiatives between the FRI and its strategic conservation&nbsp;partners,\u201d says <strong>Paige Hepfer \u201926<\/strong>, an ecology and advertising &amp; public relations double major from Tioga, Pa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through her internship with the Institute, Hepfer works closely with the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, the Middle 做厙TV Riverkeeper, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and various county conservation districts to help with conservation efforts, community outreach and education, research and data collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Institute has given me so much confidence to conduct research in both field and lab settings and, because of its embrace of experiential learning, I\u2019m able to apply the concepts I have learned in class to real, meaningful work,\u201d she says. <em>Read more about Paige&#8217;s experiences at the FRI in the<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/2025\/07\/09\/researching-since-almost-day-1\/\">End Notes column<\/a> <em>she penned for this issue<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond research opportunities, the Freshwater Research Institute \u2014 again in partnership with the Chesapeake Conservancy \u2014 launched a workforce development program to prepare 做厙TV students for careers in conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since the summer of 2023, student researchers have been trained and certified as herbicide applicators to manage invasive plant species within watershed restoration sites. They\u2019ve also worked closely with regional partner organizations to learn about their programs, install restoration structures and plant trees, and attend weekly professional development workshops hosted by 做厙TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe teach our undergraduate students the skills they will need as habitat restoration specialists while they simultaneously conduct much-needed maintenance work on 50 acres of existing restoration sites, where our partner organizations are in real need of help,\u201d Wilson says. \u201cMost of the places where we add fencing and plant trees are on farms where invasive species are common. We need to do something to keep that growth at bay until the newly planted trees are mature.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur students are doing that very real, very necessary work,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anyone who applies or supervises the application of certain pesticides must be certified in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations and state laws. Certification involves a written exam, and, for the Institute\u2019s students, it also includes a week of hands-on experience and several check-ins throughout the summer with their course instructor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs conservation efforts grow in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, workforce capacity is an emerging barrier to achieving tree canopy, riparian forest buffer and climate resilience goals outlined in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan,\u201d says Adrienne Hobbins, the Chesapeake Conservancy\u2019s Pennsylvania program manager. \u201cMany local and state governments, environmental consulting firms and nonprofits throughout the watershed have had difficulty filling entry-level positions to keep up with the pace of conservation funding and accelerating landowner willingness. The certification that this program awards is one that is in high demand for restoration work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to their herbicide certification, student researchers learn about assessment and monitoring methods for stream health. One of the first workforce development trainings offered by the Institute and Conservancy focused on habitat assessment, which provides crucial data that the Department of Environmental Protection uses to add or remove a stream from its list of impaired waterways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe have been fortunate to partner with 做厙TV and the Chesapeake Conservancy on many&nbsp;restoration projects and stream monitoring sites,\u201d says <strong>Savannah Rhoads \u201918<\/strong>, an ecology alumna and watershed specialist with the Union County Conservation District.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe major hurdle we face is a lack of technical assistance \u2014 there simply aren\u2019t enough agencies with the required skills to design and implement the work,\u201d she adds. \u201cPrograms like this one, which are developed to train and certify future employees, are integral to our ability to maintain, complete and take on new conservation projects moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-photo-5-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Two people wearing waders and neon shirts stand in a grassy field, smiling and talking; one has a camera around their neck.\" class=\"wp-image-722\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-photo-5-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-photo-5-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-photo-5-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-photo-5-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-photo-5-1680x945.webp 1680w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-photo-5-960x540.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Paige-photo-5.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Savannahh Rhoads \u201918 and Paige Hepfer \u201926<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs we act to address a changing climate and restore forests, cultivating the next generation of stewards is a big part of the solution,\u201d said Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. \u201cWe need all the help we can get, so the department applauds and supports this effort to engage young people in conservation work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wilson emphasizes that getting students involved in real-world conservation isn\u2019t just about education \u2014 it\u2019s about building the next generation of researchers, policymakers&nbsp;and advocates who will carry this work forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFuture scientists need hands-on learning opportunities like those I enjoyed at 做厙TV,\u201d says <strong>Danielle Tryon \u201924<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As an ecology and earth &amp; environmental sciences major, Tryon worked with the FRI as a stream team summer intern and coordinator of its Environmental Education &amp; Outreach Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen I first started college, it was my goal to take advantage of every opportunity 做厙TV had to offer,\u201d she adds. \u201cThrough my experiences at the FRI, I gained knowledge, field experience and a deeper commitment to preserving our natural world \u2014 especially our aquatic ecosystems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, Tryon is pursuing a Master of Science in fisheries at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Specifically, she studies Chinook salmon migration and habitat use along the Kenai River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis opportunity marks an exciting new chapter in my career, and I couldn\u2019t be more grateful for the support, guidance and encouragement I received from my mentors and peers at the Freshwater Research Institute,\u201d Tryon says. \u201cI can\u2019t wait to grow as a scientist and contribute to fisheries research.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expanding Collaboration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Chesapeake Conservancy may be our largest partner,\u201d Wilson says, \u201cbut by no means have they been our only&nbsp;partner in recent years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In parallel, and occasionally in tandem, the Freshwater Research Institute has leveraged private foundation funds to place student researchers in partner organization internships for environmental education, recreation, advocacy and&nbsp;conservation. Occasionally, these internships are even&nbsp;supported by alumni like Rhoads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFuture scientists need hands-on learning opportunities like those I had at 做厙TV.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Danielle Tryon \u201924<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m so proud to collaborate with my alma mater,\u201d Rhoads says. \u201cDoing so has enabled me to connect with students, offering them real-world experience and insight into&nbsp;the operations of a conservation district while actually&nbsp;completing more stream restoration projects.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students interning with Rhoads and the Union County Conservation District have worked with farmers and other landowners; and have installed in-stream restoration structures alongside Fish and Boat Commission staff. Others interning with the 做厙TV Greenway Partnership have led outreach programs across the region and worked on trail designs, and Middle 做厙TV Riverkeeper Association interns have taught environmental education programs&nbsp;on an 80-foot paddlewheel riverboat and sampled streams across the watershed for pollution. To acquire these placements, FRI students complete common internship application&nbsp;forms and are matched with partner organizations based&nbsp;on mutual interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tryon, who, in addition to pursuing fisheries studies also works as a lead technician for the Alaska&nbsp;Department of Fish and Game, credits her internship with the Riverkeeper Association for helping her develop community relations skills \u2014 which are vital for conservation professionals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/FJG-SU-673-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"A woman in a 做厙TV T-shirt stands in a laboratory with several water tanks, using a laptop on a wooden frame.\" class=\"wp-image-736\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/FJG-SU-673-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/FJG-SU-673-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/FJG-SU-673-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/FJG-SU-673-800x533.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/FJG-SU-673-540x360.webp 540w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/FJG-SU-673.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Danielle Tryon \u201924 at the CEER Field Station<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy internship with the Riverkeeper Association gave me so much insight,\u201d she says. \u201cI am so thankful for the opportunities I had as an undergraduate to communicate with residents of the watershed and to educate them about the ways in which they too can protect and promote the 做厙TV River, its tributaries and the aquatic ecosystem it supports.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like Tryon\u2019s experience, the internships completed by Freshwater Research Institute students translate into real-world \u2014 and often very local \u2014 outcomes. For example, one in seven watershed specialists for conservation districts located within the 做厙TV River watershed are recent 做厙TV graduates who worked with the Institute or its network of conservation partners. Others have gone on to work for restoration consulting firms, state and federal agencies, watershed organizations and environmental education centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Ripple Effect&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The success of 做厙TV\u2019s Freshwater Research Institute\u2019s is not measured just in cleaner water and thriving fish populations, but in the ripple effect they create. Every acre of restored floodplain, every mile of replanted streambank and every farm that reduces its nutrient runoff contributes to a healthier 做厙TV River. The impact extends beyond Pennsylvania\u2019s borders, influencing everything from blue crab populations in Maryland to the water quality of coastal communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_SeniorHike_25_GW_0215-1024x681.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-590\" style=\"width:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_SeniorHike_25_GW_0215-1024x681.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_SeniorHike_25_GW_0215-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_SeniorHike_25_GW_0215-768x511.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_SeniorHike_25_GW_0215-1536x1022.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_SeniorHike_25_GW_0215-2048x1363.webp 2048w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_SeniorHike_25_GW_0215-1680x1118.webp 1680w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_SeniorHike_25_GW_0215-800x533.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_SeniorHike_25_GW_0215-540x360.webp 540w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">View of the 做厙TV River<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere\u2019s no single solution to protecting our freshwater resources,\u201d says Wilson. \u201cBut every effort \u2014 big or small \u2014 adds up. We\u2019re proud to be part of the solution and to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite these successes, the work is far from over. Climate change is intensifying the challenges facing the 做厙TV River, bringing more extreme weather patterns and increasing the urgency of restoration efforts. The Freshwater Research Institute is actively researching how best to build resilience into the ecosystem, ensuring that the progress made today can withstand the challenges of tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRivers are living systems,\u201d Wilson says. \u201cIf we take care of them, they\u2019ll take care of us. That\u2019s what drives our work \u2014 it\u2019s not just about fixing what\u2019s broken but ensuring that these waterways remain vibrant and resilient long into the future.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beginning with Native Brook Trout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Less than 10% of Pennsylvania\u2019s streams have been systematically surveyed for the presence&nbsp;of native brook trout, which leaves the other 90% vulnerable. When brook trout are identified in a stream, their protection becomes a priority, which, in turn, influences the designated water and land usage in the area surrounding the stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_Straub_Huntzberry-189-1024x640.webp\" alt=\"A single brook trout swims underwater, displaying a greenish body with light spots and an orange belly.\" class=\"wp-image-591\" style=\"width:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_Straub_Huntzberry-189-1024x640.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_Straub_Huntzberry-189-300x188.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_Straub_Huntzberry-189-768x480.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_Straub_Huntzberry-189.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Native Brook Trout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 2010, 做厙TV student researchers have surveyed approximately more than 850 of the 6,000 stream segments in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission\u2019s Unassessed Waters Initiative, a program to survey and monitor unassessed streams throughout Pennsylvania&nbsp;to identify and protect wild trout populations, with the goal of updating the commission&#8217;s list of wild trout waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are more than 86,000 miles of streams&nbsp;and rivers in Pennsylvania, more than in any state in the continental U.S. Prior to the Unassessed Waters Initiative, the PFBC had no data on the small streams and creeks that 做厙TV\u2019s Freshwater Research Institute has been surveying. 做厙TV\u2019s field work has contributed to more than 200 streams being added to the PFBC\u2019s Wild Trout Waters list \u2014 giving these waterways permanent protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Freshwater Research Institute\u2019s partnership with the Unassessed Waters Initiative provides 做厙TV students with an invaluable opportunity to influence conservation policy through hands-on scientific research,\u201d says <strong>Kathy Straub<\/strong>, dean of 做厙TV\u2019s School of Natural &amp; Social Sciences and professor of earth &amp; environmental sciences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s a powerful example of how science drives real-world change,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"susqu-magzine-news-post-footer component alignfull\" data-show-author=\"1\">\n        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       <\/a>\n\n                                                                    <p class=\"susqu-magzine-news-post-footer__item-excerpt\">\n                                        Dear Friends,\n\n\n\nAt this unprecedented moment for higher education with challenges coming from many directions, we&#8230;                                    <\/p>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Student Researchers Today,<br \/>\nConservationists Tomorrow<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":399,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"course_short_description":"","course_min_credits":"","course_max_credits":"","_external_link":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[9],"story_tag":[],"class_list":["post-494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spring-summer-2025","tag-cover-story"],"cats":[{"term_id":40,"name":"Spring Summer 2025","slug":"spring-summer-2025","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":40,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":21,"filter":"raw","term_order":"2"}],"featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/F1_UnassessedWtrs-scaled.webp","featured_media_alt":"Four people in waders stand in a shallow stream, measuring and recording data with a measuring tape stretched across the water, while one person stands on a fallen tree trunk.","placeholder_media_url":"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/placeholder-768x492-1.webp","placeholder_media_alt":"Text reading \"做厙TV\" on a gray background.","acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Unassessed Waters - 做厙TV Currents Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.susqu.edu\/currents\/2025\/07\/10\/unassessed-waters\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Unassessed Waters - 做厙TV Currents Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Student Researchers Today, Conservationists Tomorrow\" 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