A Deep Dive with Phoebe Glennon: Protecting the Adirondacks, One Lake at a Time
We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Phoebe Glennon, a passionate youth voice for water protection, amidst the serene sounds of loons on Lower St. Regis Lake in Paul Smiths, NY. Phoebe, a sophomore at Hamilton College studying environmental studies, shared her journey, her vital work, and her inspiring advice for young environmentalists.
Born by the Water
Phoebe's connection to nature runs deep, having been born in Saranac Lake and raised in Ray Brook, NY, the heart of the High Peaks Region of the Adirondacks. Her father, a retired forest ranger, and her mother, an ecologist, supported her growth in a profound love of nature and water from a very young age. She recounts cherished childhood memories of spending time on Oseetah Lake. "The Rock," a term coined by her family, is a pivotal spot where they’ve picnicked and swam from the time she was an infant. It was in these waters that she learned to swim, lessened her phobia of fish, and most importantly, spent precious time with her family. As she beautifully puts it, "How could you not love the environment that raised you? That sets the backdrop to all your memories.” She vividly remembers how the water, once chest-high, seemed to slowly get shallower as she got older, only to be ankle deep today.
Her cherished water memories extend beyond Oseetah. She recalls splashing in John's Brook, riding waterfalls on her father's lap, and even the bittersweet memory of losing a perfectly heart-shaped rock in the waterfall that her father searched feverishly to find but never did. This memory entwines the beauty of nature with a fatherly love that she says still holds a piece of her heart in the river. As time passed, she recalls pretending to be mermaids with her cousin on Sanibel Island, FL, even taking constrained sips of seawater to complete the ultimate mermaid transformation.
From Passion to Action
As Phoebe grew, her love for water evolved into a passion for climate action. A foundational course for her was AP Environmental Science in high school, which cemented her interest in environmental issues and led her down a path of climate action. She was involved with her school's Green Team and the Youth Climate Program at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY, cherishing her work at the Adirondack Youth Climate Summits.
One of the most impactful issues she learned about was harmful algal blooms (HABs). She was shocked to discover that naturally occurring cyanobacteria and other algae could produce toxins when coupled with warmer than usual temperatures and increased nutrient concentrations in lakes, leading to beach closures and suffocating aquatic life as they decompose and deplete oxygen. It hit home for her, realizing how such a small organism could cause so much damage, even in the protected Adirondack Park.
Phoebe believes that nature is a being we must protect, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding ecosystems and wildlife from human activity. She advocates for a shared, exchanging relationship with nature, where we give and receive, rather than merely taking and using up natural resources. Phoebe is driven by a deep conviction that "the planet deserves that for itself."
She also believes that all people deserve access to nature. She believes it's essential that every human has equal access to nature's resources and isn't disproportionately burdened by environmental issues they didn't cause. She believes in a future that ensures everyone can foster the same love of the outdoors she experienced.
On the Front Lines: A Boat Steward’s Life
This summer, Phoebe was a boat steward on Lake Flower, located in the heart of Saranac Lake, NY. Her role involved inspecting all watercraft entering and exiting the lake to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. She primarily dealt with variable leaf milfoil, which is well-established in Lake Flower, and curly-leaf pondweed. Her work ensured new populations didn't get established and prevented existing invasives from hitching rides to other lakes. A significant part of her job was educating the public on preventative measures and what invasive species are. This is particularly meaningful as Lake Flower connects directly to Oseetah Lake, as you recall, the beloved home of “the Rock.”
Phoebe is one of more than a hundred boat stewards throughout the Adirondack Park, who worked as part of the Adirondack Watershed Institute’s Stewardship Program. While many locals are familiar with the concept of invasive species and preventative steps, Phoebe found she most frequently helped to teach people about specific invasive species, showing them photos and explaining their impact. She doesn't use scare tactics but rather highlights the reality of what could happen, which often resonates deeply with boaters who love to recreate in Adirondack waters.
She fears the day she might encounter zebra mussels in Oseetah Lake. These filter feeders clean out a lake's nutrients and phytoplankton, making the water very clear, which can deceptively appear to be a sign of water quality. However, this clarity allows more sunlight for photosynthesis, potentially exacerbating harmful algal blooms, as zebra mussels reportedly avoid eating the toxic algae. She also intercepted water chestnut on a launching boat that could have otherwise been established, demonstrating just how easily invasives can be spread and how valuable the role of boat stewards is.
Phoebe's favorite part of her job was talking to people. She found it heartwarming to connect with boaters and passersby about nature, noting that almost everyone supports protecting the lakes once they understand the implications invasive species can have on the environment. She especially enjoyed interacting with children, explaining complex scientific concepts in an understandable way. Kids were often very responsive, asking many questions, and sometimes even “helping” with inspections. For Phoebe, seeing their enthusiasm offers hope for the next generation of environmental caretakers.
Looking Ahead: A Future in Advocacy
In the next five years, Phoebe plans to graduate from Hamilton College, potentially studying abroad somewhere that will improve her French fluency. While she enjoys science, she envisions herself more in a communicator or advocate role. While not entirely set on one path, she is considering law school, aspiring to advocate for communities affected by climate change and other environmental issues that have lacked adequate resources or representation. She emphasizes that everyone, regardless of their background, has a role to play in the climate movement, and she sees herself fitting into the environmental justice side of things.
Advice for Aspiring Environmentalists
Phoebe offers powerful advice for young people passionate about the environment:
1. Get Involved: "Get involved in literally any way that is accessible to you." Finding groups or friends who share your interests can boost confidence, amplify your impact, and help keep you accountable.
2. Address Climate Anxiety/Grief: These emotions are more and more common, and building community helps. Talking about these feelings with others who care is incredibly helpful.
3. Utilize your Talents: Phoebe personally finds writing a powerful outlet to process difficult emotions and connect with others who share intense feelings about the environment.
4. Stay Hopeful: Despite negative headlines, surrounding yourself with like-minded people and taking action can lead to feeling better and more confident. As Phoebe puts it, "We can't make any headway if we don't think that it's possible."
Her final message to young people: "You're never too young to do anything...and you're never alone." She recalls being in sixth or seventh grade when she wanted to join Greta Thunberg's climate protests. She emphasizes that there are always people who will help and share your passion, urging everyone to "stay hopeful and get involved in any way that you can. There's no action too small."