B.J. Small
B.J. Small is a native Pennsylvanian who enjoys hunting, fishing, canoeing, and the myriad of other outdoor pleasures the Commonwealth has to offer.
He is CBF's Communications and Media Relations Manager in Pennsylvania, working with editors and producers throughout the Keystone State to deliver CBF's clean water messages across many platforms.
He was appointed by Governor Tom Wolf to serve on the board of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. He currently writes weekly outdoors columns for two newspapers and is a former newspaper editor and broadcaster.
His favorite Bay spot is the place that serves his next oyster or blue crab.
B.J.'s Posts
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Endangered Species Listing for Hellbender Is Long Overdue
January 28, 2025
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed listing the Eastern hellbender as an Endangered species. A group of determined young people in Pennsylvania, the original “Hellbender Defenders,” say the recognition is long overdue.
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Blue Catfish Conundrum
June 21, 2024
While invasive blue catfish continue to eat the Chesapeake Bay alive, the voracious predators are being released and welcomed into parts of Pennsylvania, where they are native.
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Marvelous Macros: Tiny Aquatic Creatures With an Important Message
May 29, 2024
By looking at the 'bugs' below the water's surface, we can all learn more about the health of rivers and streams.
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Shaped by a Salamander
April 23, 2024
Five years after their triumphant campaign to crown the Eastern hellbender as Pennsylvania’s state amphibian, former CBF student leaders are taking on the world of conservation, education, and law.
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Let's Go Outdoors!
February 15, 2024
Tarsha and Keisha Scovens' Let’s Go Outdoors (LGO) program is increasing family engagement in outdoor recreation, and teaching diverse youth and adults in under-represented communities in Lancaster and Philadelphia about the environment and conservation.
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For Family, Farming, and Clean Water
January 19, 2024
Cost-share funds available through Pennsylvania's Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) help Greg Strayer keep his family farm going, so that someday he can pass it to his children.
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Quest to Save the Bog Turtle
August 10, 2023
Much like brook trout and the Eastern hellbender, bog turtles are an indicator species of water quality. Follow some official surveyors on their quest to research this tiny reptile.
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Student's Stream Dream Salutes Enslaved Kitty Payne
April 12, 2023
Student Aidan Kissner has succeeded in getting the little stream behind his house, which carries many personal memories, named "Kitty Payne Creek" so that it can get the respect, attention, and protection it deserves.
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A Trout’s Journey: Behind the Scenes of Pennsylvania’s Fish Hatcheries
March 16, 2023
Getting 3.2 million hatchery-raised trout into waterways, as well as sustaining wild trout populations, is a critical part of the worldclass fishing for which Pennsylvania’s mountain streams are renowned. Both require good water, and lots of it.
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5-Millionth Tree Marks Milestone for Pennsylvania
November 10, 2022
Trees provide a plethora of benefits to waterways, farms, economies, and people. That makes them a powerful tool as Pennsylvania works to accelerate progress toward its clean water commitments.
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Two Jars of Water, and a Lasting Environmental Legacy for Pennsylvania
October 14, 2022
More than fifty years after the Pennsylvania constitution's Environmental Rights Amendment passed, Franklin L. Kury reflects on how the amendment continues to be a driver for protecting all Pennsylvanians' rights to clean water, air, and a healthy environment.
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Soil Your Undies for Science
August 25, 2022
In Pennsylvania, volunteers buried cotton underwear to explore their soil's health.
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Brotherly Love for Trees
July 12, 2022
Community activist Kiasha Huling finds trees are some of the best tools to combat Philadelphia's harmful 'heat islands'.
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A Symbol for Pennsylvania
May 16, 2022
The largest salamanders in North America were plentiful in the Bay watershed decades ago. Today, with their populations teetering and habitat facing multiple threats, the Eastern hellbender is still as charismatic and ugly a critter as ever.
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Acid Mine Drainage: A Toxic Brew Flowing Downstream
May 6, 2022
The headwaters of Kittanning Run are like other coldwater fisheries in Pennsylvania. The stream is clear and supports diverse aquatic life. But less than a mile downstream, the Kittanning turns ugly.
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River Protector
April 13, 2022
Pennsylvania resident John Naylor is on a mission to rid the Susquehanna of its plastic problem.
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Full Attention on Halfmoon Creek
February 4, 2022
CBF and partners create a unique watershed restoration plan.
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Charismatic Creatures
January 26, 2022
A Pennsylvania farm owner steps up to protect bog turtles on his land.
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Pennsylvania's Steep Road to Clean Water
January 20, 2022
Earlier this month, CBF released its 2021 State of the Blueprint report with a large focus on Pennsylvania. Here are the highs, lows, and next steps for the Keystone State.
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Love Deer? Plant a Tree
November 22, 2021
Hunters and wildlife enthusiasts in Pennsylvania are finding many benefits in streamside forests.
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Trees Help Beat City Heat
November 8, 2021
Mira Lloyd Dock Award recipient Kiasha Huling plants trees to cool the 'heat island' effect in Philadelphia.
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Planting a 'Magical Seed'
November 8, 2021
Mira Lloyd Dock Award recipient Shauna Yorty is growing community connections in a Lancaster neighborhood.
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A Tree Grows in Dairy Land
September 15, 2021
Trees are among the most cost-effective methods for filtering and absorbing harmful water pollution from farms. Fiddle Creek Dairy is putting them out to pasture.
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Herons in Harrisburg
July 2, 2021
Endangered Yellow-crowned Night-Herons are finding unexpected refuge in urban neighborhoods.
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CBF Student Leaders Continue to Carry the Torch
May 11, 2021
A newly created Chesapeake Bay Club brings the spirit of CBF's Student Leadership program into college.
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Millions of Anglers and Trout Brought Together in the Time of COVID
March 15, 2021
Last year was unlike any other for most things in life. The trout fishing season in Pennsylvania was no different.
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Pennsylvania's Wins, Whiffs, and Wishes for 2020 and Beyond!
December 29, 2020
While enduring an unprecedented year of restrictions and challenges brought on by COVID-19, CBF staff and volunteers in Pennsylvania were able persevere during the pandemic and have a productive 2020. In the Keystone State, field work was significantly reduced and staff successes came from working virtually and at home.
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Trees? Yes, Please!
November 9, 2020
With the help of a new $2 million grant, we’re working with partners to plant 360 acres of streamside forest buffers, train on-the-ground technicians, and boost local clean water plans in eight Pennsylvania counties.
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New Trees Are Sweet Healing for North Harford Maple Farm
October 9, 2020
After trees were clear-cut for a now defunct pipeline, a Pennsylvania maple farm is being restored.
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Planting Trees in Pennsylvania to Save the Bay
September 16, 2020
It will take the work of many hands for Pennsylvania to lessen its impact as the greatest source of pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.
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Smallmouth Bass are Making a Comeback
August 27, 2020
After years of struggling with pollution and disease, some populations of smallmouth bass are making a slow recovery.
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Agriculture Cost-Share Program Taking Root in Pennsylvania
August 12, 2020
A proposed program aims to help Pennsylvania farmers and bring the state back on track toward meeting its clean water goals.
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Lancaster Water Week Goes Virtual and Socially Distanced
August 7, 2020
As COVID-19 restrictions continue, Lancaster Water Week reimagines their programming to educate residents about restoring and protecting local streams.
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Bringing Silvopasture to the Keystone State
July 29, 2020
A new study, led by CBF, on five Pennsylvania farms is exploring how farmers can implement silvopasture cost-effectively and successfully.
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GIANT Goes Solar
July 21, 2020
The GIANT Company has installed a ground and rooftop solar system of over 6,700 panels that is good for light bills and bees.
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Reclaiming Polluted Mine Land
June 30, 2020
The Keystone 10 Million Tree Partnership is reclaiming polluted, abandoned mine land in Pennsylvania by planting native trees.
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Seeds for Success
June 24, 2020
Success for the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership means planting 10 million trees in Pennsylvania by 2025. CBF looks at a new way to achieve that goal.
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A Model for Environmental Success: Taking Bay Restoration Efforts International
June 18, 2020
Can Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts serve as a model for other countries? Megan Cariaso thinks so.
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Reimagining Clean the Bay Day
June 10, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic may have cancelled Clean the Bay Day, but we are keeping its spirit alive.
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We're Walking the Watershed
May 27, 2020
CBF staff are walking across the watershed to save the Bay and you can too.
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Celebrating a Menhaden Milestone
May 7, 2020
CBF has spent years trying to protect Atlantic menhaden. A recent meeting of the VMRC marks a new milestone in those efforts.
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Tree Nurseries: An Essential Bay Business
April 16, 2020
In these uncertain times, Pennsylvania nursery growers provide essential crops for clean water. As life challenges in the days of COVID-19 continue, so does the work of adding trees and shrubs to Penn's Woods that will clean and protect Pennsylvania waters. The clean water work does not stop.
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A Banner Year for Baby Oysters
April 2, 2020
The lack of rainfall in 2019 and corresponding increase in salinity are key factors behind oyster gardeners seeing a record year for these beloved bivalves.
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Pennsylvania Has Been ‘Growing Greener’ for 20 Years
January 10, 2020
Twenty years after Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge signed a bill establishing Growing Greener at $650 million over five years, the Commonwealth struggles today to make the adequate investments necessary to clean and protect its waters.
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Trees and Grasses Make a Haven for Wildlife and Clean Water
December 17, 2019
Planting trees to protect Elk Creek in Centre County has given landowner Chip Brown more bang for the buck by improving habitat for fur, feathered, and finned wildlife.
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No-Till Pioneer on a Mission for Soil Health
December 10, 2019
Leroy Bupp uses no-till farming as a way of growing crops without disturbing the soil through tillage.
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Celebrating Senator Yaw and the Eastern Hellbender Salamander
November 5, 2019
CBF student leaders went to Williamsport to celebrate the salamander that is Pennsylvania’s new official state amphibian and to salute the state senator whose support was key to making it happen.
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Pennsylvania Farmers Experience the Bay Their Efforts Can Save
October 3, 2019
Pennsylvania farmers recently spent a weekend on the Chesapeake Bay to see and feel the effects of their clean water efforts are having downstream.
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Mature Buffer along Opossum Creek Shows Tree-Mendous Success
August 9, 2019
The long-term potential for tree-planting success in Pennsylvania is on display and protecting a stretch of Opossum Creek in Cumberland County.
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Caring Vet is a Hero Among 'Heroes'
April 17, 2019
Retired Navy Senior Chief and Chef Adam Gagne relishes the chance to share his passion for kayak fishing with veterans and first responders.
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Stewardship Event Emphasizes the Value of Conservation Practices and Partnerships
December 19, 2018
Visitors on hay wagons rode through rolling hills of corn, cover crops, and contour strips under a blazing sun in Juniata County, to get a closer look and to learn about conservation efforts through farmers' eyes.
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Students Determined to Continue Efforts to Recognize Hellbenders
December 11, 2018
Despite stalling out in the Pennsylvania House, these students aren't giving up on saving and recognizing Eastern hellbenders.
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CBF’s Rain Garden Maintenance Specialist Brings Environmental Justice to a Harrisburg Neighborhood
October 17, 2018
Garden mud, rain, and rocks were Rafiyqa Muhammad's playground growing up in a south-Harrisburg, PA neighborhood. Today, she's back in that neighborhood, empowering the community through rain gardens and green infrastructure.
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Quality Water, Soil, and Sales on the Menu at Field Day on Misty Mountain Farm
October 3, 2018
At Pennsylvania's Misty Mountain Farm, riparian forest buffers, no-till, and cover crop farming techniques improve soil and water quality, leading to success for business and the Bay.
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Return to the Bennett Farm
December 28, 2017
State and local elected and conservation officials converged on Toad Hollow Road in Susquehanna County bearing congratulations and keen interest in seeing the Bennett Farm for themselves.
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Inadequate Funding for Clean Water Threatens the Livelihoods of Workers and Families
September 5, 2017
As Pennsylvania considers yet another budget that does not adequately fund efforts to clean up its rivers and streams, the federal House Appropriations Committee has approved a spending bill that would cut support for the Chesapeake Bay Program from $73 million to $60 million.
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Stewarding the Land
August 8, 2017
Visitors on hay wagons rode through rolling hills of corn, cover crops, and contour strips under a blazing sun in Juniata County, to get a close look and learn about conservation efforts through farmers’ eyes.
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Streams and Students in Pennsylvania
January 11, 2017
Chesapeake Bay Foundation educators Tom Parke and Emily Thorpe took advantage of an unseasonably warm winter day in Pennsylvania, to wash life vests, check canoes for needed repairs, and reflect on the Susquehanna Watershed Environmental Education Program's (SWEEP) 26th year of connecting students with their local waterways.
