Event

Finale Concert Celebrates Coal Miners of PA and the Tioga River’s Restoration Journey

Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 28 at 2:00 PM (doors open at 1:30 PM, first come/first seated) when folk musician, educator, and former coal miner Van Wagner takes the stage at the historic Victoria Theatre in Blossburg for Songs Celebrating Coal Miners of PA. This free, family-friendly concert honors the miners who shaped the region and offers an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing work to restore the Tioga River.

The free concert, Songs Celebrating Coal Miners of PA, features folk musician, educator, and former coal miner Van Wagner.

This concert is the final event in the Rivers, Coal & Crafts series, a series of community events led by the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC), Blossburg Memorial Library, and Tioga County Conservation District. Over the spring and summer, the series brought people together through hands-on activities, storytelling, and art projects focused on the area’s mining past, the damage caused by abandoned mine drainage (AMD), and the partnerships working together to make the Tioga River healthy again.

A Look Back on the Rivers, Coal & Crafts series

In April, the series launched with a make-a-long workshop at the Blossburg Company Store, where attendees crocheted Tioga River Gnomes. The official mascot, Gnolli, was created during this event and now serves as a traveling symbol of the river’s restoration journey.

Gnolli checks out the Make-A-Long kit, featuring yarn from the Blossburg Company Store! Each color tells part of the Tioga River’s story, from polluted past to a brighter, healthier future.

In June, artist Bibi S. Brion led an Urban Sketch Workshop, where participants used pencil and watercolor to capture Blossburg’s buildings and scenery. Later that month, families joined a Cookie Mining activity, using chocolate chip cookies to explore land use and mine reclamation in a fun, hands-on way. The month wrapped up with a Tie-Dye Party at the library. Guests dyed shirts using pigment made from iron oxide collected from AMD, turning pollution into wearable art and sparking conversations about the river’s challenges and restoration.

Urban Sketch Workshop
Cookie Mining
Tie Dye Party

July featured the second of two workshops that invited people to help build a community Water Quilt, a fabric collage made from river-themed drawings. The finished quilt is now on display at the Blossburg Memorial Library.

The community Water Quilt hangs on display at the Blossburg Memorial Library.

Throughout the entire series, participants learned how AMD has affected the Tioga River and how NPC and partners are working together to improve the Tioga River and the land around it.

A Musical Finale in Coal Country

We hope you will join us for the final celebration on September 28 at Songs Celebrating Coal Miners of Pennsylvania to honor the community’s role in healing the River.

Song Celebrating Coal Miners of PA 
Sunday, September 28, 2025
Doors open at 1:30 PM / Show begins at 2:00 PM
Victoria Theatre (222 Main St, Blossburg, PA)
Free and open to the public (First come, first seated)

This event is made possible by support from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, The Jones Foundation, and the Friends of the Blossburg Memorial Library.

About Van Wagner

Van Wagner is an educator, forester and musical artist. In the classroom, he teaches Agriculture Science at Danville Area High School. He has been selected as Conservation Educator of the Year in 2005 from Schuylkill County and in 2007 and 2009 in Union County.

In 2012 he was awarded the Sandy Cochran award for natural resource education from the Pennsylvania Forestry Association. In 2015 the Red Cross presented Van with the Robert N. Pursel Distinguished Service Award.

Outside of the classroom he educates audiences with his music and programs on Pennsylvania History. He received an Outstanding Achievement Award in 2018 from the Pennsylvania Heritage Songwriting Contest. In 2021 he was recognized with an outstanding alumni award by the Danville High School alumni association. He is the 2025 recipient of the Penn State University School of Forest Resources alumni of the year award. In 2025 he completed his goal of climbing the tallest tree on the tallest mountain in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties in an effort to raise awareness about forestry in the state. 

In 2024 he was awarded “best male solo artist” of the year from the Central PA music awards.  His music has been featured on the History Channel, WVIA tv, Country Music Television (CMT), and in several film productions. He has released 35 original albums and published a book entitled “Coal Dust Rust and Sawdust.” 

His music and programs not only entertain but inspire audiences to become involved in learning more.

Visit Van Wagner Music to learn more.

Event, On the Blog

Paddlers Support Local Conservation at the W&L Subaru Paddle Happy Jumbo 

Paddlers gather as W&L Subaru’s Bryce Kile presents a donation to NPC’s Reneé Carey and Holly Byers at the W&L Subaru Paddle Happy Jumbo event held on July 19, 2025.

The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC), W&L Subaru, and Bad Adventures welcomed more than 30 paddlers to the inaugural W&L Subaru Paddle Happy Jumbo on Saturday, July 19. The one-day paddle trip along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River gave participants an opportunity to experience the River through a guided paddle while supporting conservation work across the region. 

Highwater in June forced the original event to be rescheduled, but the day proved worth the wait. With overcast skies and a light breeze, the weather was ideal for exploring the River by kayak and canoe. The group launched from Watsontown Memorial Park and made a stop at Milton State Park for live music and lunch before continuing downriver to Lewisburg. 

Paddlers launch from Watsontown Memorial Park to begin the inaugural W&L Subaru Paddle Happy Jumbo

Before the paddlers set out, W&L Subaru Owner, Andy Long, addressed the group, sharing his appreciation for their participation and support. He also encouraged the group to reach out if they are aware of any other community needs that W&L Subaru might be able to assist with in the future.

“W&L Subaru has been a part of this community for a long time, and we love supporting events like the Paddle Happy Jumbo. We enjoy doing community work, and while it’s a great opportunity for exposure, we truly value these events that contribute to our community and help us fulfill our Love Promise.”

Bryce Kile, Marketing at W&L Subaru

During the lunchtime stop, NPC received a generous donation from W&L Subaru, reflecting a portion of the proceeds from the event. Participants also contributed directly to NPC, furthering the organization’s mission to conserve and enhance the lands and waters of northcentral Pennsylvania. These contributions support initiatives such as NPC’s streambank stabilization projects, which restore the health of local waterways by reducing erosion, improving aquatic habitat, and supporting clean water across the region. 

“This event is a great demonstration that conservation, recreation, and community go hand in hand,” said Reneé Carey, NPC’s Executive Director. “We’re grateful to W&L Subaru, Bad Adventures, and every person who came out to paddle for a purpose.” 

NPC is thankful for the community spirit that made the Paddle Happy Jumbo a success. Events like this bring people together on the water, while also helping to advance real, on-the-ground conservation work. Whether it’s restoring streambanks, conserving working farms, or connecting people to the outdoors, NPC’s work is made possible by the partnerships and generosity of supporters like you.

Support the Work
Event, On the Blog

A Community “Water Quilt” Comes Together

Blossburg – On June 30, the Blossburg Memorial Library came alive with bright colors and big ideas during Part 1 of the Water Quilt project. This special event was part of the Rivers, Coal & Crafts series from the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) and partners. The hands-on workshop invited kids to learn about rivers through a story and an art project. 


Julie Weaver, a retired teacher and NPC Board Member, leads the creation of the community “Water Quilt” at the Blossburg Memorial Library.

Julie Weaver, a retired teacher and NPC Board Member, led the workshop. She began by reading a river-themed story that encouraged children to imagine the sights and sounds they might encounter while traveling down a river. As they listened and shared, they also learned about the Tioga River—how it has been affected by Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) pollution in the past – and how people are working together to help it recover. After the story, the kids brought their ideas to life by drawing river-inspired scenes on sandpaper.

Their designs have since been transferred onto fabric squares using an iron, and those squares have been pieced together into a quilt top! 

Children gather to listen to a river-themed story and then create their own artwork to add to the community Water Quilt.

The “Water Quilt” Continues: Join Us for Part 2

Now it’s time to finish the quilt together! On Monday, July 28 at 1:30 PM, we invite you to return to the Blossburg Memorial Library for Water Quilt (Part 2). This free event is open to everyone. You do not need to have attended Part 1 to join. 
 
Julie will read a new river-themed story, then new participants will have the chance to create their own sandpaper artwork to be ironed onto a Rivers, Coal & Crafts t-shirt. Afterward, everyone will work together to tie the final knots and complete the Water Quilt. We’ll be using yarn from the Blossburg Company Store’s Tioga River yarns, adding a special local touch to the project. Once finished, the quilt will be displayed at the Blossburg Memorial Library.

A Stitch in a Larger Story: Restoring the Tioga River

The Water Quilt project is part of the ongoing Rivers, Coal and Crafts series, made possible by grant funding from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), the Jones Foundation, and Friends of the Blossburg Memorial Library.   

The series – coordinated by NPC, Tioga County Conservation District, and the Blossburg Memorial Library – celebrates the Blossburg community and shares information about the Tioga River’s ongoing restoration. 

Through hands on workshops, craft projects, and storytelling, participants of all ages are learning about the decades-long impacts of AMD on the Tioga River, and how local partnerships are working together to restore the health of the river and its surrounding landscape.   

Event

Explore the West Branch with the W&L Subaru Paddle Happy Jumbo 

The W&L Subaru Paddle Happy Jumbo brings together beginner and experienced paddlers to enjoy the West Branch Susquehanna River.

Lewisburg – The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) and Bad Adventures are excited to announce the new date for the W&L Subaru Paddle Happy Jumbo, now scheduled for Saturday, July 19. Originally planned for June 22, the event was postponed due to high water conditions on the West Branch Susquehanna River. 

This one-day paddle offers a fun, scenic experience for paddlers of all levels. Designed with first-time paddlers, families, and busy adventurers in mind, the Jumbo features a guided route downriver from Watsontown to Lewisburg, a live lunchtime concert, and a finish at the confluence of the West Branch and North Branch of the Susquehanna River. 

Thanks to the generous support of W&L Subaru, registration remains just $49, making this a unique and accessible opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while supporting local conservation. 

“Paddle Happy Jumbo is crucial for W&L Subaru because it directly embodies our commitment to enhancing community life and environmental stewardship, aligning perfectly with both the Subaru Loves The Earth initiative and our own mission,” said Bryce Kile, Marketing at W&L Subaru. “By raising funds for the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, we actively support their vital conservation work, strengthening our role as a responsible and engaged community partner. At W&L Subaru, we’re more than a car dealer; we’re a part of the community.” 

A portion of the event proceeds will benefit NPC’s mission to conserve and enhance the lands and waters of northcentral Pennsylvania. NPC and W&L Subaru will host a special check presentation on the day of the event, recognizing the company’s support of local conservation. 

“This partnership with W&L Subaru is helping more people experience the River in a meaningful way,” said Renee Carey, Executive Director of NPC. “By connecting recreation with conservation, we’re building stronger relationships with the lands and waters that shape our communities.” 

To learn more or register, visit: paddlehappy.com 

The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) is a regional land trust conserving and enhancing the lands and waters in a 12-county area. With the help from its members and donors, the organization supports the environmental well-being and recreational needs of local communities.

Event, On the Blog, Water

Tie-Dye and the Tioga River: Turning Pollution into Art 

Blossburg – On Friday, June 27, more than 80 people gathered at the Blossburg Memorial Library for an afternoon of creativity, learning, and community connection at a free tie-dye party. However, this was not your typical tie-dye event. Instead, participants used an orange dye made from an unusual source: abandoned mine drainage (AMD). 

Erica and Maddy from the Tioga County Conservation District help out at the Tie-Dye Party held at the Blossburg Memorial Library.
Inside, NPC staff, Sara and Jesse, lead participants through a macro-matching game while waiting for their turn to tie-dye.

Why the Tioga River Runs Orange

AMD happens when water flows through old coal mines, picking up iron and metals along the way. When this water reaches meets air (oxygen) chemical reactions takes place. One chemical reaction is the iron in the water turns orange. This orange can stains the rocks and streambeds. This is what causes some parts of the Tioga River to have that bright orange color. 

At the tie-dye party, guests of all ages learned how AMD has affected the Tioga River for years. AMD from old mines along Fall Brook, Morris Run, and Coal Creek continues to flow into the river, harming water quality and aquatic life. Rather than just talking about the problem, we turned it into something colorful. Using pigment made from iron oxide collected from AMD, guests created one-of-a-kind t-shirts they could take home. 

The bright orange color in parts of the Tioga River comes from iron in abandoned mine drainage (AMD). As the iron-rich water meets air, chemical reactions turn the riverbed orange.

Access Leads to Action

The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) is playing a key role in the Tioga River’s recovery. By acquiring the Coal Creek property, NPC helped make it possible for scientists and engineers to reach the largest mine discharge site in the entire Tioga River watershed. This access is an important step toward designing and building treatment systems that can clean the water and bring fish and other aquatic life back to the river.

Rivers, Coal and Crafts: Highlighting the Tioga River Restoration

This event is part of the ongoing Rivers, Coal and Crafts series, made possible by grant funding from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), the Jones Foundation, and Friends of the Blossburg Memorial Library.  

The series, coordinated by NPC, Tioga County Conservation District, and the Blossburg Memorial Library celebrates the Blossburg community and shares information about the Tioga River’s ongoing restoration.  

Through hands on workshops, craft projects, and storytelling, participants of all ages are learning about the decades-long impacts of Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) on the Tioga River, and how local partnerships are working together to restore the health of the river and its surrounding landscape.  

Event

Cookie Mining in Blossburg: A Sweet Look at History and Land Use 

Blossburg’s coal mining past got a tasty twist at the recent Cookie Mining workshop, presented by the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC), the Tioga County Conservation District (TCCD), and the Blossburg Memorial Library. Together, these partners welcomed 34 excited “miners” to learn about the region’s coal history through chocolate chip cookies! 

Cookie mining in action! Participants took on the challenge of extracting chocolate chips while learning about coal, land use, and reclamation.

A Tasty Take on Local History

Erica Tomlinson from the Tioga County Conservation District started things off with a short talk about coal mining in the area. Then it was time to mine some cookies. First, there were no rules—just dig out the chocolate chips however you could. Then, new rules were added to show what responsible mining looks like. Toothpicks and paper clips became pickaxes and shovels. While some kids hoped for bigger tools, they soon got the hang of these smaller, more careful methods. 

Reclamation and Responsible Mining

The activity led to some great conversations. Older kids talked about “reclamation,” the process of fixing land after it has been mined. Everyone discussed the importance of cleaning up after your work and trying to limit the damage. 

Once the mining was over (and the cookies safely set aside), the group enjoyed fresh chocolate chip cookies from Farmer Dave at The Farmer’s Table. They were a big hit and well worth the wait! 

Once the mining was over (and the cookies safely set aside), the group enjoyed fresh chocolate chip cookies from Farmer Dave at The Farmer’s Table.

Rivers, Coal and Crafts: Highlighting the Tioga River Restoration

This event is part of the ongoing Rivers, Coal and Crafts series, made possible by grant funding from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), the Jones Foundation, and Friends of the Blossburg Memorial Library. 

The series, coordinated by NPC, TCCD, and the Blossburg Memorial Library celebrates the Blossburg community and shares information about the Tioga River’s ongoing restoration. 

Through hands on workshops, craft projects, and storytelling, participants of all ages are learning about the decades-long impacts of Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) on the Tioga River, and how local partnerships are working together to restore the health of the river and its surrounding landscape. 

Abandoned mine drainage (AMD) discharges have polluted the Tioga River for more than a century. Now NPC and our partners working together to restore the health of the Tioga River.
Event

NPC’s Annual Clinton County Dinner

Please join us for NPC’s Annual Clinton County Dinner!
When: September 10, 2019
Where: Stella A’s Bar & Grill (219 E Main St, Lock Haven, PA )
What: Socializing at 6:00pm; Dinner 6:30pm; Program following dinner

The evening will include dinner at Stella A’s Bar & Grill, and feature a presentation on the Bald Eagle Valley Trail by Kate de Silva, Clinton County Planning Director.

The Bald Eagle Valley Trail
The BEVT is a planned 11.5-mile walking/hiking/bicycling trail that will ultimately run from Castanea to the Jersey Shore Trailhead of the Pine Creek Valley Rail Trail. Named for the ridge-and-valley Appalachian Mountain area through which the trail passes, the Bald Eagle Valley Trail is a project of Clinton County Government, with partners in Castanea, Wayne, and Pine Creek Townships, the Clinton County Solid Waste Authority, and the Clinton County Visitors Bureau.

Kate will give a “show and tell” update on development progress of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail—what’s open to the public and what’s still in the works! She’ll also touch on the 2019 Middle Susquehanna Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan that encompasses wider trail planning efforts across seven counties.

The cost is $30.00 per person.

Reservations can be made online (please select “Dinner Reservation” in the Donation Designation dropdown) through the donation page of the NPC website, by calling the NPC office at 570-323-6222, or by mailing a check to the NPC office.

Checks should be payable to: Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Payment can be mailed to:
NPC
PO Box 2083
Williamsport, PA 17703

Reservations are due by September 2, 2019. Unfortunately, we cannot provide refunds after this date.

Event

NPC’s Annual Tioga County Dinner

Please join us for NPC’s Annual Tioga County Dinner!
When: September 3, 2019
Where: The Deane Center (104 Main St., Wellsboro)
What: Socializing at 6:00pm; Dinner 6:30pm; Program following dinner

The evening will include dinner at the Deane Center, catered by The Red Skillet, and feature a presentation by Tim Morey, Natural Resource Specialist, PA DCNR.

“Engaging Youth in Conservation”
Tim will highlight key recreational resources such as the Pine Creek Gorge and the dark skies of Cherry Springs, and more specifically, what’s being done to engage today’s youth in conservation through recreation, education, and service.

Tim grew up on Pine Creek and the surrounding parks and forests, graduating from Galeton High School and then later from Lycoming College with a degree in biology.

The cost is $30.00 per person.

Reservations can be made online, (please select “Dinner Reservation” in the Donation Designation dropdown), by calling the NPC office at 570-323-6222, or by mailing a check to the NPC office.

Checks should be payable to: Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Payment can be mailed to:
NPC
PO Box 2083
Williamsport, PA 17703

Reservations are due by August 26, 2019. Unfortunately, we cannot provide refunds after this date.



Event

Fishing Skills Instructor Training set for January 31st

Fishing Skills Instructor Training,                 
January 31, 2019 from 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm,    
Keiper Recreation Center, Williamsport

Partnering for Conservation

NPC is partnering with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), Lycoming College’s Outdoor Leadership and Education Program, and Lycoming College’s Clean Water Institute to hold a Fishing Skills Instructor Training on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Lycoming College’s Keiper Recreation Center. Check-in begins at 5:30pm with the program getting underway at 6:00pm. Pre-registration is required using the link below.

PFBC offers introductory programs in fishing and conservation of Pennsylvania’s waterways. These programs provide very basic fishing skills and background information.

Goals of the Program

The goals of the programs are to:

  1. To teach basic skills, equipment, techniques and the safety of freshwater fishing in Pennsylvania.
  2. To develop an understanding of the state’s aquatic ecosystems.
  3. To foster an appreciation of the state’s aquatic resources.
  4. To encourage the wise use of the state’s water resources.
  5. To create an awareness of aquatic invasive species (AIS)

Enrichment of Attendants

After training volunteer Fishing Skills Instructors provide programs and assist in educating people about:

  • types of fish found in Pennsylvania
  • fish habitats
  • safety while fishing
  • outdoor manners and protecting our water resources
  • basic fishing skills, fishing equipment, and practice using them
  • knowledge on aquatic invasive species

Register today as space is limited. Registration deadline is January 20th.

https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/136237

 

Event, Uncategorized

What’s the best gift you can give?

The gift of the great outdoors! We are promoting REI’s Black Friday event #OptOutside. Instead of spending time indoors shopping, get outdoors and enjoy the bounty of the Pennsylvania wilds making memories and seeking adventure!

It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do just as long as you #OptOutside. And here’s a link to a local trail guide that REI has set up just for you! Seasoned hiker? Click on the difficult terrain. New to hiking, no worries they have you covered! You can pick your location, your activity and your desired level of difficulty. It will even tell you how long your chosen trail will take you to cover. Easy peasy!

Now get outside and connect to the gifts of the great outdoors!

You can help protect the water, land and resources of the region by making a donation to the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy. Donate today and your tax deductible donation will preserve the land for you and future generations to enjoy.