Clean Water Conversations

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What role can faith communities play in protecting clean water? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, hosts Allyson Gibson and Kenn Bennett talk with Natalie Johnson and Mike Hudson of Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC) about how congregations are bringing people together to restore local waterways and protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

From rain gardens and native plantings to community education and interfaith partnerships, discover how churches, synagogues, mosques, and other faith communities are turning their shared values into meaningful environmental action. Natalie and Mike also discuss IPC’s growing presence in Lancaster County, the One Water Partnership, and how collaboration helps congregations access resources, funding, and support for conservation projects.

Plus, get to know our guests through a fun round of “For the Birds, For the Beach” trivia!

Learn how faith, community engagement, and collective action can help create clean and clear water for everyone.

Learn more about Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake: https://www.interfaithchesapeake.org/

Thanks to our podcast sponsor, Chesapeake Conservancy, for supporting Clean Water Conversations.

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How can stream restoration, accessible trails, and environmental education work together to protect clean water? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, hosts Allyson Gibson and Kenn Bennett talk with Emily Landis, Director of Education and Environmental Strategy at the Little Conestoga Creek Foundation through the Steinman Foundation, about Lancaster County’s innovative Blue Green Connector project.

Discover how this ambitious initiative combines Little Conestoga Creek restoration, a planned 3.5 mile accessible trail, and outdoor learning experiences to connect people with nature while improving water quality and wildlife habitat. Emily shares how native plants, wetlands, green infrastructure, and hands on environmental education can inspire residents to take action to protect local waterways.

The conversation also explores Emily’s years at the Lancaster Science Factory, creative approaches to science education, the challenges of adapting during COVID, and the power of collaboration among landowners, municipalities, and community partners.

Plus, test your knowledge with a fun round of trivia covering travel, hiking, history, and photography!

Learn more about the Blue Green Connector: https://bluegreenconnector.org/

Clean Water Conversations is produced by Lancaster Clean Water Partners, working toward clean and clear waterways by 2040, and sponsored by Chesapeake Conservancy.

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How can conservation organizations keep clean water projects moving when federal funding is frozen or delayed? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, hosts Allyson Gibson and Kenn Bennett discuss how changes to federal funding affect Lancaster County’s clean water partners and the collaborative work needed to restore local waterways.

Learn how funding disruptions can affect conservation nonprofits, small businesses, local contractors, and projects designed to improve water quality throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Allyson and Kenn explore practical ways organizations can adapt, including seeking alternative funding, sharing resources, strengthening partnerships, and supporting one another through uncertainty.

The conversation also highlights the importance of collective impact, honest communication, and staying focused on a shared vision of clean and clear water by 2040. While funding challenges may change how organizations work, collaboration can help them continue making progress together.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Choose Clean Water Coalition funding updates: https://www.choosecleanwater.org/fundingfreeze

Collective Impact Forum resources: https://collectiveimpactforum.org/resource/defending-and-advancing-democracy-and-equity-in-collective-impact-work/

Clean Water Conversations is produced by Lancaster Clean Water Partners and sponsored by Chesapeake Conservancy.

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What does it take to restore the Chesapeake Bay, and why does Lancaster County play such an important role? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, hosts Allyson Gibson and Kenn Bennett talk with Brian Gish, Senior Watershed Planner at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, about watershed restoration, clean water conservation, and the partnerships driving local environmental progress.

Brian explains how Lancaster County’s Countywide Action Plan guides efforts to reduce water pollution, improve water quality, and restore streams throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Learn why watershed planning, agricultural conservation practices, streamside buffers, and stormwater management are essential to healthier waterways, and how data and adaptive management help communities focus resources where they can make the greatest difference.

The conversation also explores how municipalities can collaborate across boundaries, why local solutions matter to farmers and residents, and how conservation organizations can turn ambitious plans into on-the-ground results.

Plus, hear Brian’s personal connection to Lancaster County’s waterways, his lifelong passion for fishing, and the fascinating local legend of the Albatwitch!

Clean Water Conversations is produced by Lancaster Clean Water Partners, working toward clean and clear waterways by 2040, and sponsored by Chesapeake Conservancy. 

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How can businesses and farmers work together to improve water quality and restore the Chesapeake Bay? In this episode of Clean Water Conversations, hosts Allyson Gibson and Kenn Bennett welcome Jenna Mitchell Beckett, Pennsylvania State Director and Agriculture Program Director at the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and Board Chair of Lancaster Clean Water Partners.

Jenna shares how her career began at the Lancaster County Conservation District and grew into a leadership role connecting farmers, businesses, and conservation organizations. Discover how corporate partnerships with companies such as Turkey Hill Dairy and The Hershey Company help farmers implement conservation practices, reduce agricultural runoff, and protect local streams.

The conversation explores innovative approaches to agricultural conservation, the importance of building trust with farmers, and how collaboration across the private and nonprofit sectors can accelerate clean water progress throughout Lancaster County and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Plus, get to know Jenna beyond her conservation work with a fun round of trivia!

Learn more about the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: https://www.allianceforthebay.org/

We are also delighted to welcome our first sponsor; Chesapeake Conservancy, working to conserve and restore the natural and cultural resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations.  

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Thank you for a great first year!  
In this finale of both season 2 and our first year, Allyson and Kenn talk about their list of awesomeness for the year of the show, play highlights, give updates have a little fun and, of course, dodge acronyms.   

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This week, we talk with Mike Lasala, the CAP Coordinator Team lead.  He is also a Specialist/Analyst and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program Manager from LandStudies, Inc.  He discusses the Countywide Action Plan, the team's purpose, steps beyond 2025...and darn near breaks our acronym buzzer!

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In this episode, we talk with Hilary Harp Falk, the President and CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) about the Bay, network building, Lancaster's reputation and spaghetti pizza.  This is an amazing opportunity to learn a few things from the founder of Choose Clean Water Coalition.  If you're not careful, you may learn a thing or two.

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In This episode talk with Dave Koser and Kim Shorter from Lancaster County Community Foundation about the ExtraGive to be held on November 22.  It is an informative, entertaining, laughter-filled, acronym buzz-fest!  

A 24-hour opportunity of giving to benefit organizations (CBOs) that enhance our lives in Lancaster County, the ExtraGive is a community celebration of giving inspiring thousands of individual donations and shining a light on the work of our community benefit sector. Since they launched the first Extraordinary Give in 2012, our community has raised more than $100 Million for regional organizations.

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On this episode, we chat with Acting Deputy Secretary, Office of Water Programs at Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Jill Whitcomb.  This was a really fun episode as we discuss the successes of the collaborative network, her past at the Lancaster County Conservation District and her hometown that was named after a bar.