Clean Water Conversations

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We wrap up Season 4 with Drew Robinson, Communications Director for the Choose Clean Water Coalition and Chair of the Development and Communications Committee at Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake.

Drew joins us for a conversation about clean water communications, environmental storytelling, conservation outreach, and the power of connecting people with the work being done to protect our waterways. We discuss why storytelling can make complex environmental issues easier to understand, how to communicate with different audiences, the importance of trusted messengers, and why telling positive stories about conservation can inspire people to get involved.

We also talk about the updated Chesapeake Bay Agreement, the future of clean water efforts beyond 2025, the Choose Clean Water Conference coming to Lancaster, and the connection between local conservation work in Lancaster County and the Chesapeake Bay.

Then it’s time for trivia, as Drew takes on “The Yanks Are Coming,” a challenge combining his love of the New York Yankees and World War II history. And, as you’ll hear, he absolutely knocks it out of the park!

Links discussed in this episode:
Choose Clean Water Conference
Cause Camp

Vote for River of the Year

Music credit:
"Over There" (1917), George M. Cohan (Public Domain)

This episode is brought to you, in part, by our Contributing Sponsor, Native Nook Nursery and Nature Shop.

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What can 75 years of conservation teach us about the future of clean water? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Lancaster County Conservation District with Matt Kofroth, Assistant District Manager.

Matt takes us through the history of the Lancaster County Conservation District, from its beginnings as a group of farmers working to protect soil and natural resources to today’s much larger organization focused on agriculture, watershed protection, water quality, environmental education, data, and conservation.

We talk about how conservation work has changed over the past 75 years, including the growth of watershed programs, partnerships, technology, and efforts to protect Lancaster County’s streams, farms, and natural resources. Matt also shares his own path into conservation, including his early experiences exploring local creeks and his work with the Lidditz Run Watershed Alliance.

Looking ahead, we discuss the future of conservation in Lancaster County, the role of technology and data, stormwater and agricultural conservation, environmental education, and how local water quality work connects to the larger Chesapeake Bay watershed.

And, of course, we celebrate the 75th anniversary with a round of “75th” Trivia!

You can find more about Lancaster County Conservation District at https://lancasterconservation.org/

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What does it take to bring people together around a shared vision for clean water? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, we talk with Bess Langbein, Partner at Due East Partners, about networking, collaboration, community engagement, and collective impact.

Bess shares her perspective on building relationships and connecting people and organizations around common goals, including her work with Lancaster Clean Water Partners and the Common Agenda. We explore why strong networks matter, how collaboration can help communities tackle complex challenges, and what it takes to turn a shared vision into meaningful action.

But this conversation is about more than work. Bess also takes us back to her Lancaster County roots, sharing memories of growing up here, hometown traditions, and the universal experience of coming home when the streetlights came on.

And because Bess is deeply involved in her kids’ activities, we put her knowledge to the test with a round of Youth Sports Trivia.

It’s a conversation about networking, collaboration, community, collective impact, and clean water, with plenty of Lancaster County memories and fun along the way.

To learn more about Due East Partners, go to https://dueeastpartners.com

This episode is brought to you, in part, by our Contributing Sponsor, Native Nook Nursery and Nature Shop.

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Where does our groundwater come from, and why does it matter to clean water? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, we talk with Jenn Fetter, Water Resources Program Team Leader at Penn State Extension and Director of the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT).

Jenn helps us dig into groundwater, private wells, water quality, and the surprising connection between what happens underground and the health of our streams and the Chesapeake Bay. We also explore her work providing education and training for conservation professionals, farmers, homeowners, and others working to protect Pennsylvania’s water resources.

Jenn is passionate about water education, especially helping kids and adults understand where their water comes from and why protecting it matters. We talk about the Dive Deeper Summit, innovative approaches to environmental education, and preparing the next generation of water stewards.

And because every good conversation needs a little Gen X nostalgia, Jenn shares stories about growing up as a self-described “feral” Gen Xer. Then we put her theme park knowledge to the test with trivia about one of her favorite subjects: theme park food.

It’s a conversation about groundwater, water quality, environmental education, conservation, and the people working to keep Pennsylvania’s waterways clean, with plenty of laughs along the way.

This episode is brought to you, in part, by our Contributing Sponsor, Native Nook Nursery and Nature Shop.

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What does economics have to do with clean water? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, we talk with Dr. Patrick Fleming, Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Franklin & Marshall College and Co Director of the Chesapeake Watershed Initiative.

Patrick brings together economics, agriculture, conservation, and water quality in a conversation about how we can make meaningful progress toward cleaner waterways. We discuss his research on agricultural conservation practices, the Chesapeake Bay, economic incentives, and how limited resources can be used more effectively to improve water quality.

We also explore the groundbreaking Big Spring Run restoration project in Lancaster County and the role of legacy sediment, wetlands, and stream restoration. Patrick explains how researchers are evaluating the costs and benefits of different conservation approaches, and why getting landowners and communities to work together is essential for conservation at scale.

But Patrick isn't just an environmental economist. He and his wife also operate a farm in Lancaster County, giving him a unique perspective that connects academic research with the realities of agriculture and farming.

And, of course, we have some fun along the way with a round of goat trivia, followed by a bonus round of G.O.A.T. trivia.

It's a conversation about environmental economics, agriculture, conservation, water quality, and the Chesapeake Bay, with plenty of Lancaster County connections and laughs along the way.

This episode is brought to you, in part, by our Contributing Sponsor, Native Nook Nursery and Nature Shop.

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What can a lifetime of community service teach us about clean water? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, we talk with Scott Peiffer, the recently retired Manager of Quarryville Borough, whose career has taken him from cleaning restrooms at Huffnagle Park as a teenager to municipal leadership, stream restoration, riparian buffer planting, and clean water advocacy.

Scott shares the story of his unique career journey, including his work in public works, landscape contracting, education, youth mentoring, and municipal government. We talk about how his landscaping work led him to plant trees along streams, work with conservation organizations, and develop a passion for protecting waterways.

We also explore the role municipalities can play in clean water, including stormwater management, rain gardens, stream buffers, native vegetation, community education, and planning for future environmental challenges. Scott explains why small, incremental changes can make a difference and why educating municipal leaders, staff, and the next generation is so important.

And this episode definitely shows off Scott’s Renaissance man credentials. A hiker, gardener, kayaker, and surfer, he takes on trivia featuring the gear and terminology of all four activities.

It’s a conversation about community service, municipal leadership, conservation, clean water, and the power of a lifetime spent making a difference, one project at a time.

This episode is brought to you, in part, by our Contributing Sponsor, Native Nook Nursery and Nature Shop.

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We’re back for Season 4 of Clean Water Conversations! In this episode, we talk with Emily Broich, Pennsylvania Green Infrastructure and Forest Projects Coordinator at the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, about green infrastructure, stormwater management, conservation, environmental education, and the connections between people and the natural world.

Emily shares her journey from the Lancaster County Conservation District and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to her current work with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. We discuss how green infrastructure, including rain gardens and native plants, can reduce stormwater runoff, improve water quality, create wildlife habitat, and give communities hands-on ways to get involved in conservation.

We also explore how a rain garden can become a living classroom, why bringing more voices into clean water work matters, and how small actions can grow into bigger conservation efforts. Emily shares how her work with wildlife, environmental education, forestry, and green infrastructure all comes back to one common idea: connecting people with the environment.

And then we take a detour into the world of birds. Emily tells us how she became a birder, why birds can be an important indicator of environmental health, and how birding can contribute to citizen science.

Finally, we put our nature knowledge to the test with a wild round of trivia!

It’s a conversation about green infrastructure, stormwater, rain gardens, conservation, birds, and clean water, with plenty of fun along the way.

The copyright for the song "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)" as performed by The Byrds resides with Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

This episode is brought to you, in part, by our Contributing Sponsor, Native Nook Nursery and Nature Shop.

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We wrap up Season 3 of Clean Water Conversations from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Crescendo in Collaboration celebration at Ascension Lutheran Church in Lancaster County. In this season finale, we look back at some of the people, projects, and partnerships helping move Lancaster County toward clean and clear water by 2040.

We revisit highlights from Season 3, including agricultural conservation, the Blue Green Connector, faith-based conservation, Lancaster Water Week, the local brewing community, and the many partners working to improve water quality across the county. We also celebrate the progress being made through conservation practices, collaboration, education, and community engagement.

We’re joined by Ryan Hill of Chesapeake Conservancy to talk about using high-resolution data to identify where conservation work can have the greatest impact on stream health. Ryan also shares what makes Lancaster County’s farming community, conservation partners, and local water quality work unique within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Finally, we look ahead to Season 4, including the future of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, Lancaster Clean Water Partners’ Common Agenda, and the continued work toward clean and clear water by 2040.

It’s a celebration of local conservation success, the people behind the projects, and the momentum carrying Lancaster County’s clean water work forward.

Thank you to Chesapeake Conservancy for sponsoring this season and most of all, thank you to you, the listeners, for joining us for this exciting adventure towards clean and clean water here in Lancaster by 2040.

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In this episode, we talk with Ryan Foltz and Sam Son, two of the owners of Pour Man's Brewing and St. Boniface Brewing.  We hear about how they got their start, the importance of clean water to brewing and all about their special Water Week Beer, Ripple Effect along with Our Town Brewing.

Head to Our Town Brewery or Pour Man's Brewing Company to get a Ripple Effect pale ale today, or look for it at your local beer distributor. And join us for over 60 events during Lancaster Water Week from June 6-14! 

For more information on Pour Man's Brewing, go to:

• Website - https://pourmansbrewingco.com/home/ 
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100045363736476#
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pourmansbrewingco/

For more information about St Boniface Brewing, go to:

• Website - https://stbonifacebewing.com
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StBonifaceBrewing/

For more information about Lancaster Water Week, go to:

• https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/water-week/

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How can local leadership, philanthropy, and environmental conservation shape Lancaster County’s future? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, hosts Allyson Gibson and Kenn Bennett welcome Diana Martin, Director of High Impact at the High Foundation and Executive Director of Partners for Environmental Stewardship. Diana shares her journey through community engagement, sustainable agriculture, and nonprofit leadership, including her work with Rodale Institute and Hourglass. She also discusses the High Foundation’s growing investment in the environment, the potential of the Conestoga River, and plans to make Lancaster’s waterways and communities stronger. Discover how collaboration, strategic investment, and a shared vision can help move Lancaster County toward clean and clear water by 2040.

The logo for Partnership for Environmental Stewardship

Thank you, as always, to our podcast sponsor: Chesapeake Conservancy