Helping Engage River's Youth Connect with Nature

The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association’s West Branch HERYN (Helping Engage River’s Youth connect with Nature) is a free day-long outdoor and environmental education program that provides youth (ages 9-14) with the knowledge and skills needed to safely and autonomously practice freshwater kayaking and fishing. Additionally, our program encourages participants to become stewards of their watershed, promoting conservation practices that protect freshwater resources for recreation, fishing, and drinking.
On July 10th, 2024, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (MSRKA) held its 1st annual West Branch HERYN, hosting 13 youth participants at Bald Eagle State Park’s Swimming Beach. This program is an expansion of MSRKA’s HERYN program that is held annually in New Columbia, PA. The program has 3 components: kayaking, fishing, and pond ecology. The fishing and kayaking programs introduce participants to the basics of aquatic recreation as many of our youth participants arrive without any prior experience practicing these aquatic sports. The Pond Ecology program facilitates the exploration of flora and fauna of freshwater wetlands. Additionally, the program concludes with a brief environmental education lesson related to watershed ecology, issues and threats, and conservation practices.
Our primary goal is to impart skills and knowledge related to aquatic exploration and recreation to promote an active lifestyle and positive relationships with nature among youth and young adults. Additionally, we hope to create the next generation of environmental stewards, instilling an environmental stewardship ethic and encouraging lifelong dedication to the protection of aquatic resources in central PA. Since the program is free to residents of Centre, Clinton, and Clearfield counties, we are expanding the influence of conservation messaging in central PA and thus improving the lives of our residents by protecting water quality for drinking, recreation, and wildlife.