2026 Lake Mixer & Awards Celebration
September 3, 2026
It was such a special evening at Paul Smith’s College for AWI’s inaugural Lake Mixer & Awards Celebration! Nearly 100 guests joined us on the shores of Lower St. Regis Lake, also known by its Indigenous name, Akwesasne Lake, to celebrate the people and the organizations working to protect Adirondack waters and to honor our 2026 Adirondack Watershed Impact Award recipients, Guy Middleton of the Upper Saranac Foundation and the Mirror Lake Watershed Association.
With the sun shining down on the water, delicious food prepared by Paul Smith’s College students, music from Andy Walkow, and so many friends, partners, and supporters joining us, we couldn’t have asked for a better evening.
A special thank you to Assembly Member Michael Cashman for joining us, the Lake Champlain Basin Program for its support, and our sponsors Adirondack Health, Lake George Association, Adirondack Mountain Club, and Adirondack Explorer for helping make the celebration possible.
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us! You all mean so much to us and we couldn’t do this work without you. 💙
Looking forward to the evening’s program, with flower arrangements prepared by AWI Water Quality Research Manager Lija Treibergs.
A big crowd gathered to celebrate the evening - and it seemed everyone was in a festive mood!
A table up front highlighting AWI programs. It all comes down to this: science, community, and stewardship.
Adirondack Council Executive Director Raul (Rocci) Aguirre, AWI Executive Director Maureen Cunningham, and AWI Stewardship Assistant Director Jennifer Denny.
NYS Assembly Member Michael Cashman chatting with Chef Rob Dumas, who leads the Paul Smith’s College Institute of Adventure Hospitality and Food.
With an Institute of Adventure Hospitality and Food at Paul Smith’s College campus, we were fortunate to have the event catered by culinary students Graycen and Chloe, under the guidance of Chef Patience, Chef Marlyse, and Chef Rob.
Guests lined up to enjoy the amazing food prepared by Paul Smith’s College students Graycen and Chloe, with Chef Patience.
Another view of the party.
AWI’s Executive Director Maureen Cunningham welcomed all the guests to kick off the event, talking about how water connects us, but it’s people - their care, collaboration, science, and stewardship - who protect it.
Paul Smith’s College President Dan Kelting and special guest NYS Assembly Member Michael Cashman both delivered opening remarks. We were so glad to have both of them with us all evening!
AWI Watershed Educator Annie Arnold spoke about the history of the awards, the support AWI received from the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and how the awards recognize exceptional leadership in protecting Adirondack waters through stewardship, science, advocacy, and action.
Guy Middleton of the Upper Saranac Foundation receiving his award from AWI Stewardship Director Brett Wimsatt.
Guy Middleton of Upper Saranac Foundation making a few remarks after receiving his award, with Paul Smith’s College President Dan Kelting and other guests in the audience.
Some of the guests enjoying the evening.
NYS Assembly Member Michael Cashman with his wife Olivia Busuttil-Cashman taking it all in.
AWI Water Quality Research Manager Lija Treibergs talking about the important work Mirror Lake Watershed Association does on issues ranging from aquatic invasive species reduction to road salt reduction, before presenting their award.
Members of the Mirror Lake Watershed Association (Georgia Jones, Bill Billerman, and Chair Marcy Fagan) accepting the award from AWI Water Quality Research Manager Lija Treibergs.
Members of the Mirror Lake Watershed Association - Georgia Jones, Bill Billerman, and Marcy Fagan - making some remarks after accepting their award.
More guests listening to the speakers while enjoying the beautiful evening. I spy some folks from the Horseshoe Pond - Deer River Flow Association and also a couple in the background from the Raquette Lake Preservation Foundation - all enjoying the evening!
From left to right: Guy Middleton, Marcy Fagan, Bill Billerman, Maureen Cunningham, NYS Assembly Member Michael Cashman, Georgia Jones, and Dan Kelting.
Everyone enjoyed the music by Andy Walkow, even Paul Smith’s College students in their nearby dorms!
Even the amphibians came out for the party!