Let’s build something together!

Douglas Fessler

Environmental Advocate, Technologist, and Community Steward

About Me

I'm Douglas Fessler, a lifelong resident of  Pennsylvania, with over two decades of experience in Information Technology. My professional life has always been rooted in solving problems and building systems, but my true passion lies at the intersection of technology and environmental stewardship. Whether it's cleaning the banks of the Susquehanna River or designing smart environmental monitoring tools, I believe in using my skills to leave the world a little better than I found it. 

I'm also an accomplished IT professional with a strong focus on cybersecurity and a proven track record in network infrastructure, security assessments, and IT services. With over two decades of industry experience, I have honed my skills through various roles and certifications.

Certifications: I am dedicated to continuous professional development, evident in my extensive list of certifications, including ITIL Foundations, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator, CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+, CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), and numerous Apple certifications. These certifications showcase my commitment to staying current in the IT and cybersecurity fields.

Environmental Stewardship

From fishing trips with my son to solo cleanups along the Susquehanna River, I’ve dedicated countless hours to removing trash and raising awareness about the importance of maintaining our waterways. My approach is simple: take action, lead by example, and inspire others to do the same.

Featured by the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association for my cleanup efforts:
https://www.middlesusquehannariverkeeper.org/blog/one-mans-dedication-to-cleaning-up-litter-along-the-river-offers-example-of-how-to-make-a-difference-in-2022

Geology & Field Research

My fascination with rocks and minerals led me to investigate naturally occurring uranium deposits near the Shikellamy Overlook. Armed with a Geiger counter and an explorer's mindset, I studied the radiation levels in local rock formations and contributed to important conversations about water quality and environmental health in our region.

Article on uranium findings:
https://www.middlesusquehannariverkeeper.org/blog/look-at-areas-naturally-occurring-uranium-vs-new-national-drinking-water-study-offers-key-takeaways

Tech Meets Nature

As an IT professional, I believe that technology can be a powerful ally in conservation. One of my proudest projects was modifying a BirdNET-Pi system to record and identify bird species across 228 miles of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River during a kayak expedition. The data collected — more than 22,000 bird call detections — has helped build a clearer picture of local biodiversity.

Coverage on BirdNET river monitoring project:
https://muckrack.com/john-zaktansky/articles

Podcast feature on BirdNote discussing my conservation efforts:
https://www.birdnote.org/podcasts/bring-birds-back/your-rivers-keeper

Recognition

In 2021, I was honored to be named one of The Daily Item's "People Who Made a Difference." It was humbling to be recognized for work that I do simply because I believe it’s the right thing.

Let’s Connect

Whether you're interested in technology, conservation, or community collaboration — I'm always open to connecting. Together, we can build solutions for both people and the planet.

YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLQe574aKlR_yzELmheFhTA

Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper About Page:
https://www.middlesusquehannariverkeeper.org/about-us.html

For more information about my experience, visit my LinkedIn Profile

"We all have the power to build or destroy — what kind of world will you create?"