Susquehanna University’s Freshwater Research Institute trains future leaders through hands-on research, conservation, and restoration in Pennsylvania’s freshwater ecosystems.
Training Tomorrow’s Aquatic Ecologists in Stream Restoration
In association with 
“Losing beautiful places just isn’t something that I want to see happen.”
— Paige Hepfer, Student Researcher, Susquehanna University
Empowering the Next Generation of Conservation Scientists
At Susquehanna University, students like Paige Hepfer are stepping into streams and the future of ecological restoration. With a dual major in ecology and advertising and public relations, Paige is part of a student-led research initiative that monitors how Pennsylvania’s streams are recovering from over a century of agricultural impact. Through sediment sampling, fish and bug surveys, and site mapping, these students are gathering real-world data that supports conservation decisions across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
But the impact doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. This immersive fieldwork connects students with local partners, from the Chesapeake Conservancy to the Union County Conservation District, and sets them on career paths in environmental science, outreach, and restoration. As Paige puts it, this is about more than coursework. It’s about protecting what we love, empowering the next generation, and proving that informed action can bring degraded ecosystems back to life.
Through hands-on learning and meaningful partnerships, Susquehanna University is shaping not only future scientists, but future stewards of our natural world. By combining rigorous research with a passion for place, these students are showing that local action—grounded in science, can ripple outwards to drive lasting regional change. Their work is a powerful reminder that restoration is not just possible, it’s already happening.
