Adirondack lakes face a growing number of threats to water quality and watershed health. Despite this, there is evidence that when people and communities become more active in protecting their waterways, water health improves. This one-day conference at Paul Smith’s College hosted by Adirondack Council, Adirondack Research Consortium, and the Adirondack Watershed Institute will offer background on the wide array of challenges facing Adirondack lakes and watersheds, from road salt, wake boats, and septic systems to practical, hands-on solutions that communities, lake associations, and others can adopt to ensure healthier waters throughout our region. The conference includes an optional, post-event tour of the Paul Smith’s College mobile emergency operations center used by students for disaster management followed by a tour of the Adirondack Watershed Institute’s state-certified water quality laboratory.
Draft Conference Agenda:
9:00 AM - Registration & Tabling Session
9:45 AM – Welcoming Remarks
10:00 AM – Panel Discussion: Road Salt Best Management Practices
10:50 AM – Break & Tabling Session
11:00 AM – Presentation, Wake Sports in the Adirondacks
11:30 AM – GIS Tools and Apps for Easier Clean Water Administration
12:00 PM – Lunch in the Bobcat Lounge, Joan Weill Student Center
12:50 PM - Return to Adirondack Room and Tabling Session
1:15 PM – NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation Programs, Funding, and Income Survey
1:45 PM – Panel Discussion: Community-Based Water Protection Strategies
2:45 PM - Federal and State Legislative and Funding Updates
2:55 PM - Closing Remarks
3:00 PM - Tabling Session & Tours
3:15-3:30 PM - Tour of Paul Smith's College Disaster Management and Response Club - Mobile Emergency Response Operations Center
3:35-3:50 PM - Tour of the Adirondack Watershed Institute’s State-Certified Water Quality Laboratory
4:00 PM - Conference Concludes