10/29/2020
Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps Hosts A Water Quality Presentation At The MOST November 7th
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps is proud to welcome David A. Matthews, Director of the Upstate Freshwater Institute, for a presentation about the water quality of Onondaga Lake and other New York State lakes. The presentation will take place on Saturday, November 7 from 9 AM – 10 AM at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) in Syracuse, NY.
In lakes across New York State, cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) have impacted aesthetics, recreational uses, and public water supplies. Certain cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can produce toxins that limit the use of our lakes for recreation and drinking water during summer and early fall. Using data collected from 168 New York lakes by the Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP), David documented the occurrence of CHABs in New York and identified factors associated with CHABs and elevated toxin levels. Perhaps surprisingly, the much maligned Onondaga Lake is one of the few lakes in the Central New York region that has not experienced a CHAB in recent years. David will discuss potential explanations for this apparent paradox. This event is sponsored by Honeywell, Ramboll, Parsons and Applied Ecological Services.
David A. Matthews, Ph.D. serves as Director of the Upstate Freshwater Institute, a Syracuse-based not-for-profit devoted to advancing freshwater research and education. Mr. Matthews received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from SUNY-ESF and has conducted fundamental and applied research on lakes, rivers, and streams across New York State for more than 20 years. His research has resulted in the publication of more than 60 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Mr. Matthews was raised in Liverpool, NY and had a summer job driving trams at Onondaga Lake Park.
“Audubon is proud to partner with the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology on this unique presentation about Onondaga Lake and other lakes in New York State,” said Chris Lajewski, Director of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps. “We will continue to collaborate with the MOST to provide in-person programs and online learning experiences that ignite curiosity, encourage discovery, and inspire investigation by students and families across Central New York.”
Attendees are welcome to explore the MOST exhibits following the presentation. The MOST is home to 35,000 square feet of exhibits dedicated to educating people of all ages. In addition to its many exhibits, the Museum provides numerous avenues for children to discover, learn and play! Learn more at www.MOST.org.
Space is limited and registration, facial coverings, and social distancing are required. Fee: $5/person. Register by clicking https://act.audubon.org/a/onondaga-lake-conservation-corps-water-quality-presentation-get-tickets. Call 315.365.3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with questions.
Where: Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology 500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY 13202
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps is an expanding organization of community volunteers who are contributing to restoration projects that are creating or improving wildlife habitat in the Onondaga Lake watershed.
The Corps was founded in 2012 to inspire future stewards of Onondaga Lake and its watershed through a hands-on, experience-based program that offers citizens and organizations the opportunity to participate in activities that help restore and sustain Onondaga Lake and its value as an Important Bird Area.
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps was founded by Honeywell in partnership with Montezuma Audubon Center and Onondaga Audubon is now an Audubon New York program. Additional Corps supporters include Parsons, Ramboll, Anchor QEA, Bond Schoeneck & King, Applied Ecological Services, Central New York Community Foundation, Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation.
Visit http://ny.audubon.org/OLCC for more information about the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps.
About Audubon
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more how to help at http://montezuma.audubon.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @audubonsociety.
