named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
CSLAP
Participates in the Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program with DEC to monitor water quality at four sites on Seneca Lake through seasonal sampling to identify long-term trends and evaluate water quality degradation.
HABs
Harmful Algae Bloom monitoring program involving over 120 volunteers who monitor more than 80% of the shoreline from May through October, providing weekly updates and maintaining an online alert system.
Invasive Species Monitoring
Partners with Finger Lakes Institute to monitor for invasive species using "Rake Toss" sampling and boat launch stewardship, maintaining an ongoing database of plant species with focus on threats like Hydrilla.
Lake Friendly Living
Education and outreach program providing resources to residents to adopt lake-friendly practices at home, including lawn signs, community outreach, and annual awareness month with webinars.
Sediment & Nutrient Reduction Program (SNPR)
Encourages best management practices on agricultural and municipal properties through matching grant funds, working with county Soil & Water Conservation Districts and watershed municipalities.
Stream Monitoring
Volunteer-based program monitoring water quality in tributaries flowing into Seneca Lake, tracking bacteria and nutrient levels, especially after storm events, with data shared publicly through Community Science Institute.
Water Quality Symposium
Annual event at Hobart and William Smith Colleges bringing together scientists, community members, and advocates to share research and discuss pressing water quality issues facing the Seneca Lake watershed.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
-
Lake and Watershed Monitoring & Assessment 3 activities
- Information dissemination and knowledge sharingCollects, preserves, publishes, and shares information about Seneca Lake and its watershed, including weekly water quality updates during HABs season, research findings, and educational materials, to support informed stewardship and decision-making.
- Scientific research on Seneca Lake’s environmental conditionsSponsors and conducts scientific research on water quality and ecological health of Seneca Lake and its watershed, including PFAS sampling, invasive species monitoring using Rake Toss methods, and co-authoring comprehensive assessments such as 'Setting a Course for Seneca Lake.' Publishes findings to inform conservation strategies.
- Volunteer-based water quality monitoring and data collectionConducts scientific water quality monitoring at multiple sites on Seneca Lake, including seasonal sampling at depth and surface levels, and engages over 120 volunteers annually to monitor more than 80% of the lake's shoreline for harmful algal blooms from May through October. Participates in the Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) and collects data on bacteria and nutrient levels through a stream monitoring program in collaboration with the Community Science Institute.
-
-
Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Advocacy for public policy related to water qualityEngages in environmental advocacy to preserve and improve Seneca Lake’s water quality and ecological conditions through science-based policy initiatives and community action, including participation in public policy processes and promoting protective regulations.
-
-
Lake Stewardship Education & Outreach 1 activity
- Public education and outreach on lake-friendly practicesProvides educational resources and programming to promote sustainable living around Seneca Lake, including publishing homeowner guides on lake-friendly practices, organizing community events such as photography contests, and promoting rain gardens and rain barrels through the Lake Friendly Living program. Reaches over 800 members through newsletters, seminars, website content, and an annual meeting.
-
-
Watershed Conservation & Stewardship 1 activity
- Technical and financial assistance for watershed protectionProvides technical and financial support to property owners and municipalities to implement environmental protection measures for Seneca Lake, including funding for water quality improvement, habitat restoration, and pollution reduction projects.
-
-
Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer engagement in organizational operationsRelies on volunteers to support core organizational functions such as communications, budgeting, and policy development, enabling broader program delivery and community-based governance.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$260K
Contributions & grants$197K76%
Program service revenue$40K15%
Investment income$13K5%
Other revenue$9K
expenses
Total expenses$311K
Program expenses63%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising18%
Salaries & benefits$96K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$338K
Cash$298K
Investments$0
Liabilities$8K
Net assets$330K
Liquid reserves11.5 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -9.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 19
- CHARLES FAUSOLD — BOARD MEMBER
- JACOB WELCH — BOARD MEMBER
- JAMES MCGINNIS — BOARD MEMBER
- JILL RITTER — Treasurer
- JODY TYLER — BOARD MEMBER
- KELLY COUGHLIN — BOARD MEMBER
- KRISTIN GUSACK — BOARD MEMBER
- LARRY MARTIN — BOARD MEMBER
- LINDA SAMPSON — BOARD MEMBER
- LISA GREENWOOD — BOARD MEMBER
- MARGARET FOCARINO — BOARD MEMBER
- MARK GIBSON — Secretary
- MARK PETZOLD — Vice President
- MARK SWINNERTON — BOARD MEMBER
- PETER BUDMEN — BOARD MEMBER
- STUART MESSUR — BOARD MEMBER
- THOMAS BURRALL — BOARD MEMBER
- TIMOTHY JOHNSON — BOARD MEMBER
- WILLIAM ROEGE — President
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- Cayuga Watershed IO Partner — Collaborates on watershed assessment work related to road drainage networks affecting Seneca and Cayuga Lakes.
- Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program Partner — Collaborates with the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association to conduct standardized lake water quality monitoring.
- Community Science Institute Partner — Collaborates on water quality monitoring in Seneca Lake tributaries.
- Community Science Institute Partner — Partnership to make stream monitoring data publicly available.
- FLX Morning Podcast Partner — Collaborates with the FLX Morning Podcast to share information about Seneca Lake through interviews.
- Finger Lakes Institute Partner — Collaborates on invasive species monitoring and harmful algae bloom research programs.
- Finger Lakes Institute at HWS Partner — Collaborated on the 2012 Seneca Lake Watershed Management Plan and other research initiatives.
- Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management Partner — Collaborates on invasive species management issues affecting the Seneca Lake ecosystem through expert participation in the symposium.
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges Partner — Hosts the annual Water Quality Symposium in the Vandervort Room on campus.
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Partners in water quality monitoring and reporting through the CSLAP program.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Co-manages the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) for Seneca Lake.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Receives and uses water quality data collected by Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association volunteers through the CSLAP program.
- New York State Department of State Government — Provides funding through the Environmental Protection Fund for watershed assessment projects impacting Seneca Lake.
- SUNY-ESF Partner — Contributes scientific expertise through affiliated researchers presenting at the Water Quality Symposium.
- Seneca County Soil & Water Partner — Participates in assessing road drainage infrastructure impacting Seneca Lake water quality.
- Seneca Lake Area Partners In Five Countries Partner — Co-authored the 1999 report 'Setting a Course for Seneca Lake'.
- Seneca Lake Order of Brewers Partner — Collaborates on Pure Brew Week to raise funds and awareness for Seneca Lake protection.
- Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association Network — Organization focused on protecting Seneca Lake through research and advocacy.
- Seneca Watershed IO Partner — Collaborates on watershed assessment work, including road drainage network evaluations draining into Seneca Lake.
- Seneca Watershed Intermunicipal Organization Partner — Collaborative partner for coordinating watershed management across local municipalities.
- The Decades Band Partner — Provides live entertainment at the Summer Soirée fundraising event.
- Town of Fayette Partner — Engages in local watershed assessment efforts related to road drainage systems draining into Seneca Lake.
- West & Lake Partner — Hosts the Summer Soirée fundraising event at its venue.
- academic institutions Partner — Collaborates with academic institutions to protect and preserve the health of Seneca Lake and its watershed.
- environmental nonprofits Partner — Collaborates with environmental nonprofits to enhance programs and expand reach in protecting Seneca Lake.
- government agencies Partner — Collaborates with government agencies to strengthen efforts in ensuring clean water in Seneca Lake.
- regional businesses Partner — Collaborates with regional businesses to support lake protection initiatives and expand program impact.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Citizen Science for Data and Engagementmethodology: citizen_science_monitoringBy engaging volunteers in scientific water quality monitoring, the organization produces robust environmental data and strengthens public stewardship, because community-generated data increases both the scale of monitoring and public investment in lake protection.
- Integrated Science, Education, and Advocacy for Environmental Stewardshipmethodology: integrated_environmental_stewardshipBy combining scientific research, public education, and support for enforcement of environmental laws, the organization advances lake preservation because evidence-based knowledge empowers communities and strengthens advocacy for sustainable policies.