The Susquehanna River Initiative

The Susquehanna River Initiative (SRI) is a major program of the Bucknell University Environmental Center (BUEC) to integrate research, teaching, and outreach focused on the Susquehanna River. The development of this initiative is largely funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. The largest non-navigable river in North America, the Susquehanna is the major source of fresh water to the continent's largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay. The health of the bay ecosystem is intimately linked to the land use and natural hydrogeomorphic processes upstream in the watershed. Located in the heart of the Appalachian forests and farmlands, Bucknell is ideally situated on the banks of the river to take a leadership role in long-term studies of the river.

Through the SRI, Bucknell is developing an interdisciplinary research program in watershed science and unique teaching curriculum that emphasizes experiential learning. Major activities currently under development are firmly grounded in research and teaching, but also include significant outreach and interaction with groups and programs beyond Bucknell, such as our association with the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies (SRHCES).

Learn more about the Susquehanna River Initiative