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Outdoors

Fish and Wildlife proposes hellbender as endangered species after push

The US Fish and Wildlife Service announced on Dec. 12, 2024, that it is proposing listing the Eastern hellbender as endangered nationally in response to a petition from several non-governmental organizations in an agency press release. "Our association's goal has been to give a voice to this vulnerable species, especially in a watershed where local experts suggest up to 95 percent of its natural habitat has been lost due to numerous factors," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. "The hellbender needs clean water to survive and despite it being in our waterways for a long ...

Reflections in Nature: Mistletoe was at one time considered a sacred plant

The winterberry holly berries and the mistletoe berries are associated with Christmas, however, the mistletoe’s kissing tradition includes New Year’s Day. At one time, the mistletoe was considered a sacred plant, but stealing a kiss while standing under a few sprigs of mistletoe during the holidays has become a tradition. How the mistletoe made this jump from a sacred plant to a holiday kissing tradition is somewhat of a mystery. By the 18th century, the mistletoe had become widely incorporated into Christmas and New Year celebrations. The kissing under the mistletoe tradition ...

Safety on the ice is more than important for fishing

As a lifelong angler I have had the opportunity to fish in many places and climates, catching fish along the Eastern seaboard and throughout South America. Each offered unique challenges and some dangers as well. As a visitor, I was often taken aback by the casual approach locals took to these dangers, whether wading in shark-infested areas or clinging precariously to a quickly disappearing jetty. But then I realized that it happens everywhere and with every threat. Locals become complacent and take for granted that they will return safely from every trip, just like many of ...

SGP mini- grant program awards $40,000

LEWISBURG — The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024-2025 Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program. This year’s funding categories included outreach and education, wayfinding and signage, trails and active transportation, and temporary placemaking, and contributed $40,000 to some amazing projects. Congratulations are in order to the following entities for their awarded projects on the Susquehanna Greenway, which cover a range of educational signage, programs, and recreation infrastructure. Clark’s Ferry Tavern ($2,475): The Friends ...

Reflections in Nature: Winterberry holly has been a staple of Christmas

The colorful leaves have fallen off the trees, leaving much of the countryside a drab brown color, however, the orange berries of the bittersweet and the red berries of the winterberry holly provide much color on gray and snowy winter days. Mary Alice and I have been noticing that this year ...