named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Monitoring and Reporting
Tracks and reports localized harmful algal blooms around the lake, providing alerts and data to inform public health and management decisions.
Invasive Species Prevention
Monitors for and works to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants such as Eurasian watermilfoil and hydrilla through education and on-the-water surveillance.
Lake Friendly Living
Public education campaign promoting environmentally sound behaviors including native landscaping, fertilizer reduction, septic maintenance, and boat cleaning to protect lake health.
The Bob - Dr. Robert Werner Research and Education Boat
Operates a floating research laboratory for water quality monitoring, HAB detection, aquatic plant surveys, and CSLAP data collection on Skaneateles Lake.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Watershed Conservation & Stewardship 3 activities
- Septic system upgrade assistanceProvides information to homeowners about available grants and subsidies for upgrading to enhanced septic systems to reduce nutrient and contaminant discharge into Skaneateles Lake.
- Stormwater and watershed pollution prevention advocacyAdvocates for environmentally sound land practices to protect water quality, including promoting rain gardens, redirecting downspouts, reducing turf grass, composting yard waste, and proper pet waste disposal to minimize nutrient and bacterial runoff into Skaneateles Lake.
- Watershed education and protection advocacyAdvocates for the protection of Skaneateles Lake by emphasizing the importance of its watershed, which is 4.3 times the size of the lake, in maintaining water quality and supporting the drinking water supply for over 200,000 people.
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Lake and Watershed Monitoring & Assessment 2 activities
- Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring and reportingConducts field monitoring and documentation of harmful algal blooms on Skaneateles Lake, including identification, location tracking, and laboratory confirmation of cyanobacteria species. Reports and communicates findings to the public and authorities, with documented events in multiple zones from 2018 to 2022.
- Water quality research and monitoringConducts scientific monitoring of water clarity, sediment, aquatic plants, and lake conditions using field surveys and the research vessel "The Bob," launched in 2022. Participates in the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) to support long-term water quality data collection and state-level environmental management.
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) managementManages hemlock tree health in the Skaneateles Lake watershed through targeted treatment of hemlock woolly adelgid, investing over $50,000 and contracting licensed pesticide applicators for treatment in designated areas.
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Lake Invasive Species Management 1 activity
- Invasive species prevention and controlPrevents the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species through a Boat Launch Steward program at three launch sites, including visual inspections of watercraft, removal of attached vegetation, data recording in the state WISPA system, and public education. Implements a Milfoil Control Program using benthic mats and annual surveys, with $200,000 invested annually and 325 mats deployed across 35 miles of shoreline in 2024.
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Ocean and Plastic Pollution Research and Reduction 1 activity
- Plastic pollution reduction outreachEncourages reduction of single-use plastics and microplastic pollution through public education campaigns promoting reusable water bottles, compostable packaging, and proper litter disposal, including community clean-up initiatives.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.06M
Contributions & grants$2.03M98%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$32K2%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$672K
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising20%
Salaries & benefits$181K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$2.24M
Cash$411K
Investments$707K
Liabilities$47K
Net assets$2.19M
Liquid reserves20.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +323.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANK H MOSES | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $77K |
board members · 21
- BRIAN J HARKINS — DIRECTOR
- CHARLES DRISCOLL PHD — DIRECTOR
- CORNELIUS B MURPHY JR PHD — DIRECTOR
- DANA HALL PHD — PRESIDENT
- DAVE BIRCHENOUGH — DIRECTOR
- DAVID ALLYN — DIRECTOR
- DEBORAH M HOLE MS — DIRECTOR
- FRAN FISH RN MS — DIRECTOR
- JAMES TIFFT MD — VICE PRESIDENT
- JD DELMONICO MBA — DIRECTOR
- JED DELMONICO — DIRECTOR
- JOSEPH E GRASSO MILR — DIRECTOR
- KATE RYAN — DIRECTOR
- PATRICIA ORR — SECRETARY
- PAUL F TORRISI MD — DIRECTOR
- PETER PLUMLEY PHD — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD D HOLE ESQ — TREASURER
- ROBERT DEWITT — DIRECTOR
- W BUZZ ROBERTS MD — DIRECTOR
- WILLIAM DEAN PHD — DIRECTOR
- WILLIAM HECHT MS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- Aquatic Invasives, Inc. Partner — Partner organization whose representative contributed to the design and fabrication of "The Bob" vessel.
- Bill Dean, Ph.D. Partner — SLA board member who contributed scientific expertise to the design and launch of the Legacy vessel.
- Bob DeWitt Partner — SLA board member who guided the design and launch of the Legacy vessel.
- Brinson’s Marina Partner — Provided special pricing on the trailer for "The Bob".
- Cayuga Lake Watershed Network Partner — Adapted lawn care content from the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network's publication "Smart Steps for Clean Water" for local outreach.
- City of Syracuse Water Department Government — Collaborates on water sampling and analysis for cyanobacteria in Skaneateles Lake
- Cornell University Partner — Collaborates on assessing the use of silver flies for biological control of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA).
- Dr. Robert Werner Government — Namesake of the Research & Education Boat used in fleet operations.
- Elite Industries Partner — Built and customized the Legacy crane barge in collaboration with SLA experts and volunteers.
- Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Partner — Collaborates to inform homeowners about funding opportunities for septic system upgrades through EFC's online resource portal.
- Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance (FLLOWPA) Funder — Provides $25,000 in funding for the Milfoil Control Program, administered by Onondaga County.
- John Menapace Partner — Provided contributions to the design and fabrication of "The Bob" vessel.
- Kevin Donnelly Partner — SLA master captain and fleet operations manager who guided the design and launch of the Legacy vessel.
- Lake Friendly Living Coalition of the Finger Lakes Coalition — Collaborates with other Finger Lakes associations through the Lake Friendly Living Coalition to promote watershed protection practices.
- Lakeview Auto & Marine Partner — Provided complimentary winter storage for "The Bob".
- Linda and Dan Roche Partner — Provided a leadership gift enabling the construction and commissioning of the Legacy crane barge for milfoil control.
- Mercury Motor Company Partner — Provided a special nonprofit rate for the boat’s motor used on "The Bob".
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Shares data and archives Harmful Algal Bloom notices through the NYHABS mapping system
- Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District Partner — Cocarries out efforts to combat and control hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) in the Skaneateles Lake watershed.
- Sevey’s Boatyard Partner — Facilitated partnership with Mercury and provided special pricing on accessories for "The Bob".
- Skaneateles Country Club Partner — Provided a complimentary mooring for "The Bob".
- Skaneateles Sailboat Shop Partner — Provided special pricing on accessories and safety equipment for "The Bob".
strategies · 5
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-Driven Conservation Modelmethodology: community_led_conservationBy engaging local volunteers and donors in conservation efforts, the organization sustains long-term lake protection because community ownership increases stewardship, program continuity, and public accountability.
- Ecological Threat Mitigation Through Monitoring and Interventionmethodology: ecological_threat_mitigationBy combining scientific monitoring with targeted interventions, the organization protects water quality because early detection of ecological threats enables timely, evidence-based actions that prevent degradation.
- Non-Chemical Invasive Species Controlmethodology: non_chemical_invasive_species_controlBy using benthic barriers and developing biological controls, the organization suppresses invasive species while protecting native ecosystems because physical and biological methods reduce reliance on pesticides and support long-term ecological balance.
- Promotion of Environmentally Sound Practicesmethodology: community_behavior_changeBy encouraging behavior change and best management practices among residents, the organization reduces pollution because individual actions—such as reducing fertilizer use and cleaning watercraft—collectively protect lake health when adopted at scale.
- Watershed-Based Pollution Preventionmethodology: watershed_based_pollution_preventionBy managing land-based sources of runoff within the watershed, the organization prevents pollutants from entering the lake because all contaminants flow downhill, making upstream land use a primary determinant of water quality.