Watercraft Steward Program
The geography of the Finger Lakes makes lake hopping for recreational water sports convenient and fun! With this close proximity of the lakes comes an easy route for the spread of many different types of invasive species. Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species between the lakes is no small task. With financial help from The Great Lakes Commission Grant and help from Finger Lake Institute and Partners for Regional Invasive Species Management (FLI-PRISM) we provide education on how to stop the spread of invasive species by way of watercraft.
Watercraft Inspection Stewards are hired through FLI and work at Seneca Lake State Park boat launch. Our Invasive Species Committee and many additional volunteers hold a Boat Launch Blitz Weekend Event in July at various boat launches around the lake.
The target audience of these efforts are recreational boaters, kayakers, paddleboarders, personal watercraft operators, or just people strolling by. The goal during these points of contact are education and reminders on the importance to clean, drain, dry water craft, and dispose of bait properly. Preventing the spread of invasive species is so important for Seneca and all of the finger lakes.
