Interview with Susan Boser
I’d like to thank Susan Boser for taking the time to answer some questions for our inaugural interview.
Susan is the wife of my good friend Mike Boser and is a Water Quality Educator for Penn State Extension and the Beaver County Conservation District. I first met Susan several years ago at the Maple Syrup festival at Brady Run Park.
What does your job entail on a daily basis?
I conduct water quality and environmental education programs for adult and youth audiences in Beaver County on topics such as drinking water, ponds, wetlands, water conservation, septic systems, watersheds and pesticide education. I am also the coordinator of Beaver County’s West Nile Mosquito Surveillance and Control Program, where we monitor and treat adult and larval mosquito populations.
Do you still do educational programs at the wetlands?
Yes. The Conservation District maintains a 77 acre wetland education facility in Independence Township on Cowpath Road. The Wetlands are open to the public from dawn until dusk for observation of birds and wildlife. Commonly seen creatures include, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Ospreys, Wood ducks, bullfrogs, several varieties of turtles and many other birds as well as plants. I also host numerous school, scout and environmental groups throughout the year for guided walks and education programs. This spring, we had over 800 students from the area visit the wetlands, so it has been a very busy spring and summer!
What other programs do you have coming up?
>August 25 – Hosting a mushroom program at shelter 12 in Brady’s Run park at 11:00am. Speakers are from the Western PA Mushroom Club. FREE
> August 28 and 29- Backyard pond workshops (same program each night) at Stonebridge Farm Nursery off of Big Sewickley Creek Road at 6:30pm. Information on aquatic plants, pond water quality, and attracting fish and frogs to your pond. Cost, $10
> Displays at the Hookstown (Aug 21-25) and Big Knob (Aug 28 – Sept 1) Fairs in Beaver County.
> September 5 – Rain Barrel Workshop
> September 22 – Large Pond Workshop – 9:00am-12:30pm at the Beaver County Conservation District. Information on pond fisheries, maintenance, aquatic plant control and water quality. Cost $10
> September 29 – Reptile and Amphibian program featuring LIVE ANIMALS – presented by April Claus, a local herpetologist and environmental educator. 11:00am at the Beaver County Conservation District Wetlands. FREE
What Kind of questions do people usually ask you?
I get many questions from people who have had their water tested and want to know what the results mean. Coliform Bacteria, Harness, iron are all common problems for wells in the area. People with private wells
> for their drinking water source should test the water yearly for bacteria, pH and total dissolved solids. I also get many pond-related questions about controlling aquatic plants and general pond water
> quality questions. In the summer, I also get many calls and concerns about West Nile Virus and mosquitoes. A really great website to check out for answers to many of these is Penn State Extension’s Water Resources site at http://water.extension.psu.edu Many fact sheets and publications are downloadable from the site and there are many great links to other information as well.
How is the water quality in our area?
Water quality in the Pittsburgh area has generally gotten much better in recent years due to increased public awareness, better regulations, and great work by local watershed groups and environmental organizations.
Should I be worried about previous pollution?
One big concern in our area has been AMD (abandoned mine drainage) resulting from now unused coal mines filling with water, and resulting in acid contamination of streams. Again, local watershed and environmental groups are doing a great deal to help clean up these waterways and increase public education. Environmental regulations are so much more stringent now than they were even 10 years ago, so water quality is only getting better!
Is it safe to eat the fish I catch?
The best advice I can give is to check the list put out by the Fish and Boat Commission each year. It lists major fisheries in the area, fish that are usually caught, and any consumption advisories for those fish.
What Can I do to help maintain water quality?
The average citizen can help lessen non-point source pollution (pollution caused from runoff after a rain event) by doing some simple things. Dispose of oil or paint at a local recycling center or hazardous waste collection event – not by dumping them in storm drains or on the ground. Only use the minimum amount of pesticides and fertilizers needed in your lawn or garden to achieve the results you want – the excess runs off and can contaminate groundwater or streams. Recycle garbage whenever possible. Get involved – join a local watershed group, outdoor or environmental organization!
If I’m Camping or boating in Beaver County, Do I have to be afraid of West Nile Virus? What Precautions can I take?
Summer is unfortunately prime time for mosquitoes. And even if the mosquitoes are carrying West Nile, their bites are still annoying. As of today( July 20) we have not yet found any positive West Nile mosquitoes in Beaver County. Any mosquito has the potential of carrying West Nile. Birds are actually the reservoir for the virus, and mosquitoes act as vectors – transmitting the virus between other species – humans just happen to get in the way in that transmission cycle. The good news is that less than 1% of the mosquitoes are carrying West Nile and if a human is bitten by one of these mosquitoes, there is less than 1% chance that they will get seriously ill from the disease. That being said, the best precautions to take with preventing a mosquito bite is to wear long sleeves and pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most likely to bite. Use an insect repellent that works for you – always read the label. There are many products out there with different active ingredients so choose one that works the best for your body chemistry. On your property, prevent mosquito breeding areas by eliminating standing water. Mosquitoes can breed in about 2 inches of water so turn over any containers that can hold water, change water in birdbaths weekly, and pay attention to swimming pool covers, flowerpots or low spots in your yard. The West Nile Virus program has a website at www.westnile.state.pa.us. It is updated daily with mosquito positives and has lots of great information on the virus, mosquitoes and any questions you might have.
You probably get out in your job more often than most people. Are there any unknown or hidden recreational opportunities in Beaver County that you’d be willing to share?
>Canoing Raccoon Creek – it is a gentle ride, there are many put-in/take-out points along the creek and many areas are quite beautiful!
> Great bike trails in Brady’s Run County Park.
> Great hiking trails and wildflowers at Brush Creek County Park.
> Buttermilk Falls natural area in Beaver Falls – really pretty!
> Beaver County Conservation District Wetlands in Independence Township – most people that come out there don’t know that it is there – great birding and nature spot.
My heartfelt appreciation to Susan for taking the time to answer our questions!
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Interesting and informative interview. Nice work.