Susquehanna Scout

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: scout@witf.org . 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: scout@witf.org . 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.

Welcome to Susquehanna Scout , a podcast exploring the Susquehanna River and the people, places, and issues connected to it across Central Pennsylvania and beyond. The Susquehanna has shaped our region for centuries. It provides drinking water, powers local economies, supports recreation, and flows through the history and daily lives of the communities along its 444-mile course. Each episode explores how the river influences our environment, our communities, and the future of the Chesapeake Bay. Hosted by journalist Karen Hendricks and produced by WITF, Susquehanna Scout brings you stories about conservation, history, recreation, and the people working to protect and celebrate one of Pennsylvania's greatest natural resources. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and if you have a story idea, we'd love to hear from you at scout@witf.org .