named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Lake Level Management
Manages seasonal drawdown of Copake Lake through controlled valve operation to reduce ice erosion and protect shoreline structures
Shoreline Stewardship Guidance
Provides residents with best practices for landscaping and lawn care to minimize runoff and protect water quality
Weed and Algae Control
Applies herbicides like Reward® and copper sulfate to manage invasive aquatic plants and blue-green algae blooms, with public notification and use restrictions
Winter Safety Program
Educates the public on risks of ice activities and provides guidance on judging ice thickness for skating, ice fishing, and snowmobiling
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Lake Stewardship Education & Outreach 1 activity
- Deliver environmental education and outreachDevelops and distributes educational programs and materials on lake safety, conservation, and prevention of invasive species spread. Engages the community through newsletters, social media, email communications, and public data sharing such as summer water temperature recordings.
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Watershed Conservation & Stewardship 1 activity
- Maintain ecological balance and lake levelsManages lake levels through controlled winter drawdown using dam valves to reduce shoreline erosion from ice movement, with operations timed based on weather and ice conditions. Monitors and responds to sudden changes in water levels affecting safety and property.
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Lake Invasive Species Management 1 activity
- Monitor and manage water quality and invasive speciesConducts regular water testing, weed surveys, and treatment applications to manage nuisance weeds, algae, and invasive species such as zebra mussels; collects reports of Swimmer's Itch incidents to inform treatment planning. Implements 14-day swimming bans following herbicide application.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Organize volunteer-led operations and fundraisingOperates through an all-volunteer structure, engaging members in lake management, committee work, and fundraising events such as a golf tournament with team participation and hole sponsorships. Recruits volunteers and donors through outreach and recognition efforts.
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Recreational Boating and Sailing Programs 1 activity
- Promote recreational safety and boating complianceIssues safety advisories during high water events to protect docks and moorings, warns users about debris hazards, and provides guidance for safe and considerate lake use. Enforces compliance with New York State’s Brianna's Law by supporting on-water inspections for boating safety certification.
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Nonprofit Organizational Management 1 activity
- Support organizational governance and administrationManages financial operations including budgeting, bookkeeping, audits, insurance, and tax filing; maintains membership and contribution records; prepares proposed bylaw changes; and provides technology support for board and committee functions.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$135K
Contributions & grants$118K87%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$3K2%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$85K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$269K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$269K
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue -7.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 12
- ALEX ALMOND — DIRECTOR
- CHERIE BERK — DIRECTOR
- COLLEEN CLOSSON — DIRECTOR
- DEBRA FISCHGRUND — DIRECTOR
- FRED BUNGER — DIRECTOR
- JACKIE BERNSTEIN — DIRECTOR
- JED LUCHOW — DIRECTOR
- JOHN ERNSBERGER — DIRECTOR
- JOYCE CRAW — DIRECTOR
- LINDSAY LEBRECHT — DIRECTOR
- ROGER KAPLAN — DIRECTOR
- TRUDI HABERMAN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Columbia County Sheriff’s Department Government — Primary law enforcement agency for addressing boating safety concerns on Copake Lake.
- Columbia County Sheriff’s Department Government — Receives reports of unsafe boating or vandalism on Copake Lake, as CLCS does not have enforcement authority.
- Columbia County Sno-Drifters Snowmobile Club Partner — Local snowmobile club active at Copake Lake, offering membership benefits related to snowmobile registration.
- Facebook Partner — Platform used to share pictures and videos related to lake conservation efforts.
- Instagram Partner — Platform used to share pictures and videos related to lake conservation efforts.
- New York State Federation of Lake Associations Network — Member organization participating in NYSFOLA's annual newsletter competition.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Agency responsible for issuing special event permits for organized snowmobile events on Copake Lake.
- New York State Police Government — Collaborates with law enforcement on boating safety inspections on Copake Lake.
- New York State Snowmobile Association Partner — External organization providing additional information on snowmobiling rules and regulations in New York State.
- Northeast Aquatic Research Partner — Provides advisory support to the Board of Trustees on aquatic research matters.
- aquatic management firm Partner — Contracts with an aquatic management firm for weed surveys, water testing, and treatment applications.
- lake consultant Partner — Contracts with a lake consultant for weed surveys, water testing, and treatment applications.
- local businesses Partner — Partners with local businesses to support fundraising and operations.
strategies · 4
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.
- Community-Based Conservation with Volunteer Leadershipmethodology: community_based_conservationBy engaging local volunteers in leadership and stewardship roles, we sustain lake ecology and water quality because community ownership increases participation, reduces operational costs, and strengthens long-term commitment to conservation goals.
- Ecological Preservation Through Natural Process Mimicrymethodology: natural_process_mimicryBy preserving or mimicking natural watershed processes, we maintain clean water inflow and protect lake water quality because these methods work with existing ecosystems rather than relying on artificial interventions.
- Education-Based Outreach for Behavioral Changemethodology: education_based_outreachBy using public education to promote lake safety and environmental stewardship, we produce safer recreational use and stronger conservation outcomes because informed users are more likely to adopt protective behaviors and support preservation efforts.
- Integrated Lake Conservation Managementmethodology: integrated_lake_conservationBy combining watershed protection, ecological preservation, and safe recreation promotion, we sustain Copake Lake because a holistic approach ensures that environmental, social, and safety factors are addressed simultaneously for greater systemic resilience.