Tag Archives: Events

Event

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

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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

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

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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.
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Rivers, Coal & Crafts: Exploring the Past, Celebrating the Future 

Blossburg’s rich coal mining history and the ongoing restoration of the Tioga River are coming together! Rivers, Coal & Crafts is an exciting series of community events launching this spring. The series will connect residents and visitors with the land, water, and stories that shape this region.  

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

Gnolli the Tioga River Gnome takes in the view along Coal Creek. He was created during the first event in the Rivers, Coal & Crafts series—a Make-A-Long celebrating the story of the river at the Blossburg Company Store.

For years, AMD has flowed from closed coal mines into the Tioga River from Fall Brook, Morris Run, and Coal Creek. The AMD includes iron and heavy metals. The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) became involved in the River’s recovery by acquiring the Coal Creek property. This key site provides access to the largest mine discharge in the Tioga River watershed. That access is essential to designing and implementing real solutions to clean the water and restore aquatic life. 

As restoration work continues, the Rivers, Coal & Crafts series offers an exciting way for the community and visitors to follow along and get involved! Check the NPC events page for additional event updates.

These events are made possible through funding from: 

To make these projects possible, NPC is partnering with: 

Meet Gnolli the Tioga River Gnome!

The first event was a Make-A-Long workshop at the Blossburg Company Store. Participants crocheted and knitted their own Tioga River Gnomes while learning about the river’s story. The project used mini-skeins dyed to represent the river’s restoration journey— 
🪨 Grey for coal 
🧡 Orange for sulfuric acid 
🌊 Blue for clean water 
🌱 Green for the return of aquatic plants 
✨ and a Speckled skein for the transition in between! 

One generous attendee, Donna Lougher, chose to gift their gnome to NPC—and that’s how Gnolli came to be! 

Now, Gnolli (pronounced “NOLL-ee”) is the official mascot of the Rivers, Coal & Crafts series. He’ll be traveling to events and restoration sites throughout the year, helping share the story of Coal Creek and the Tioga River! 

Follow along on social media with #GnollisQuest to keep up with his journey through coal country and conservation!