Clean Water Conversations

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What does the business community have to do with clean water? More than you might think.

In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, we talk with James Voutsinos, Public Policy Coordinator for the Lancaster Chamber, about collective advocacy, business engagement, conservation, and the role businesses can play in protecting Lancaster County’s water resources.

James explains how the Lancaster Chamber brings businesses and organizations together around shared concerns, and why finding common ground does not require everyone to agree on everything. We explore how collective advocacy can bring together business, agriculture, government, nonprofits, and community organizations to address issues such as water quality, stormwater, wastewater, infrastructure, conservation practices, and permitting.

We also discuss the economic value of clean water, sustainable business practices, technical assistance, and conservation funding. James shares examples of the Chamber connecting its members with Lancaster County’s agricultural and conservation communities, including a Conservation in Action Farm Tour with Lancaster Farmland Trust and the Lancaster County Conservation District.

Looking ahead, we talk about how more businesses can participate in clean water projects, from tree planting and native landscaping to employee volunteer opportunities and supporting practical conservation investments.

It’s a conversation about business and clean water, collective advocacy, collaboration, conservation, and why protecting Lancaster County’s natural resources is also good for the local economy.

And, of course, we have some fun along the way!

For more info about Lancaster Chamber, click here.

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What does the Conestoga-Susquehannock Tribe have to do with clean water? More than you might think. Andrea, Cheyenne, and Lancaster Clean Water Partners’ Michael Mantooth share the tribe’s history, its fight for recognition, and why protecting the Conestoga and Susquehanna Rivers is deeply connected to its culture and future. Discover how collective advocacy, conservation, and partnership are helping bring a long-overlooked story into the light. 

For more information about the Tribe, go to https://www.conestogasusquehannocktribe.com/

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The theme of Season 6 of the Clean Water Conversations podcast is Collective Advocacy.  This season, we explore advocacy at every "level and volume," recognizing that the loudest is not always the most powerful. We’ll go from grassroots community organizing to high-level policy improvements.

In this episode...
How can farmland preservation and clean water work together? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, we talk with Jeff Swinehart, President and CEO of Lancaster Farmland Trust and a member of the Lancaster Clean Water Partners Board of Trustees, about farmland preservation, conservation practices, water quality, and the power of collective advocacy. Jeff shares how Lancaster Farmland Trust works with farmers and landowners, why relationships matter, and how farmers can become powerful advocates for clean water and farmland preservation. We also explore why protecting Lancaster County’s farms requires more than simply supporting the idea. It requires communities to take action and make their voices heard.

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This season, we focused on education, and we had some great guests for you to listen to!
This episode is the season 5 finale, recorded at the Choose Clean Water Conference in downtown Lancaster!  We wrapped up the season with some fond memories, guests pulled directly from the conference, and a look into season 6.  We would especially like to thank our season 5 sponsor, RK&K, for embarking on this adventure with us!  

Links from this episode

• Choose Clean Water Conference
• Youth Conservation School
• Ahsley Spotts represents Chesapeake Bay Foundation
• Amanda Bush represents HRG
• Emily Thorpe represents the University of Maryland, Sea Grant Extension 
• Kelly Slippey represents Lancaster Conservancy 
• Lancaster Water Week
• email for trivia: [email protected]

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This episode features Jennifer Diaz and Sarah Kemble of Leadership Lancaster.  Sarah and Jennifer are both exceptional storytellers who make us laugh, think, and become inspired to take our next steps.  It's a fun and insightful discussion on leadership, collaboration, and connection. 

We also hear from Sallie Gregory, Lancaster County Conservation District's Education and Operations Coordinator, who tells us about an opportunity for K-12 students at Lancaster County Youth Conservation School.

Here are links from the discussion:

https://leadershiplancaster.org/

https://lancasterconservation.org/youth-conservation-school/

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We continue our theme of education in the conservation world with this Conversation with Lancaster County's three formal institutes of higher learning. Nicholas Allwater from Franklin & Marshall College, Dr. Nanette Marcum-Dietrich from Millersville University, and Dr. David Baum from Elizabethtown College. Each provides robust environmental studies programs, complemented by hands-on and extracurricular experiences that deepen student learning. Beyond campus, all three are actively involved with local K–12 students through outreach efforts, partnerships, and educational programming.

Together, these efforts highlight a shared priority across Lancaster County’s higher education institutions: not only educating students about environmental stewardship, but fostering a broader culture of responsibility and care that extends to future generations.

Watershed Education Training Institute

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Season 5 of Clean Water Conversations is all about clean water education, and this episode takes us behind the science to meet two researchers working to better understand and protect our freshwater resources.

We talk with Diana Oviedo Vargas and Melinda Daniels, research scientists at Stroud Water Research Center, about what inspired them to pursue water science, what they are learning about streams and rivers, and how freshwater research can help improve water quality and watershed health. Their work explores everything from water chemistry and nutrient pollution to river restoration and the effects of human activity on aquatic ecosystems.

We also explore how Stroud Water Research Center connects science, education, and watershed restoration to create positive change for waterways. And because every good conversation needs a little fun, we put our guests to the test with a round of Hiking Trivia!

Tune in for an engaging conversation about freshwater science, environmental education, clean water, and the people working to understand and protect our waterways.

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Season 5 of Clean Water Conversations is all about environmental education, and who better to explore the subject than Tom Ackerman, Vice President of Education at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation?

We talk with Tom about the challenges and rewards of getting students outside the classroom and into nature, the role of environmental education in today’s curriculum, and how hands on learning can help students develop a deeper understanding of clean water, healthy waterways, and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We also explore why connecting young people with the outdoors can be an important part of building the next generation of environmental stewards.

And, of course, this wouldn’t be Clean Water Conversations without a few surprises. We discuss saving Abraham Lincoln and put Tom’s knowledge of our nation’s public lands to the test with a round of National Park Trivia!

Join us for a fun and insightful conversation about environmental education, outdoor learning, clean water, and inspiring students to become stewards of their communities and waterways.

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What does FFA look like in an urban high school? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, we talk with Mr. Brandon Bixler, Agriculture and Environmental Studies teacher and FFA staff advisor at McCaskey High School, and Valerie Gray, a student and president of the McCaskey FFA Chapter.

We explore how agricultural education and FFA are connecting Lancaster County students with farming, environmental science, conservation, and clean water, even in an urban school setting. Brandon and Valerie share what students learn through FFA, how they explain Lancaster County agriculture to Floridians, and why agricultural education can play an important role in understanding where our food comes from and how we protect our natural resources.

And, of course, we find out how a stuffed bird can become an excellent booth minder. It’s an entertaining conversation about FFA, agriculture education, environmental studies, Lancaster County farming, and the next generation of conservation leaders.

 Learn more about McCaskey High School's FFA Chapter

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Season 5 is all about conservation education from the ground up, from kids to adults, and from conservation enthusiasts to conservation professionals. We’re celebrating the people and programs that share the knowledge that makes a difference for our waters. Season 5 of Clean Water Conversations is sponsored by RK&K.

We begin Season 5 with Angie Martin, Director of Community Engagement at the Edible Classroom. Angie joins us to talk about environmental education, school gardens, growing and cooking food, hands on learning, regenerative conservation, and the connections between healthy food, healthy land, and clean water.

We also get into Angie’s experience with therapeutic horticulture, the Edible Classroom’s work with students, and, of course, KuneKune pigs. Then we put our brains to the test with a deceptive literary game of trivia.

You just might learn something while having fun!

Referenced links in this episode:

The Edible Classroom - https://theedibleclassroom.org/

Read more about the Ebible Classroom in Alliance for the Chesapeak Bay's newsletter