The beautiful Susquehanna River drains 27,510 square miles and runs through New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. At the heart of the river in Pennsylvania, John Zaktansky acts as an advocate and educator by leading the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper. The Riverkeeper is a nonprofit organization that protects and supports the Susquehanna River, including its tributaries and aquatic ecosystem.
Taking over the nonprofit in 2020 after working as a journalist for over a decade was originally a challenging decision for Zaktansky. After he saw the position of running the Riverkeeper Association, he was immediately tempted by the opportunity. He spent much time debating whether it was the right choice for him, explaining, “I knew nothing about running a nonprofit,” not to mention his familial responsibilities. Nevertheless, Zaktansky could not help but take the role as it encompasses his two passions: biology and journalism.
Zaktansky’s approach to advocating for the river is thoughtful and multifaceted. Based on his previous experience, he leverages his journalistic skills to raise awareness through his writing. Of note, recently, Zaktansky wrote an article including a poem discussing the court ruling that overturned the US Fish and Wildlife Service decision in 2019 to not protect the eastern hellbender salamander under the Endangered Species Act. This article can be found here:
Zantaknsky speaks candidly about environmental activism in the conservative landscape, explaining, “Teaching people about environmental topics is unique in our area.” He highlights the need for a measured approach by engaging in dialogue and offering alternative solutions instead of outwardly instructing people to make changes and threatening fines, “it’s playing the long game,” Zantaknsky describes.
Despite challenges, Zaktansky remains determined to positively impact the community and the environment to support the 11,000-square-mile watershed. In addition to advocacy, his organization offers education and outreach initiatives. John Zaktanky shows an unwavering commitment to inspiring change, one story at a time.
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