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VOLUNTEER

Make a Difference for Seneca Lake!


SEEKING ALL SKILLS

It takes many hands to build and manage Pure Waters' programs. 

It also takes many hands to manage our overall Pure Waters organization. 

That's where your skills come in. We need your help supporting our organization as we work to deliver on

our mission to Preserve, Protect, and Promote Seneca Lake water quality. No matter what skills you have, we can put them to good use!


Volunteers can help Seneca Pure Waters in primarily three areas:

Citizen Science & Water Quality Testing

Currently Seeking:

Invasive Species Monitors

Harmful Algal Bloom Monitors

HAB Program Management Team

HAB Sign Installation Team

Stream Monitors

Education & Community Outreach

Currently Seeking:

Lake Friendly Living Committee Members

Membership and Fundraising Committee Members

Events and Outreach Coordinators

Communications Committee Members

Photography Enthusiasts

Organization Development & Support

Currently Seeking:

Writers

Editors

Graphic Artists

Social Media Volunteers

Click the links above to learn more about these volunteer opportunities!

Sign Up To Volunteer Here



Citizen Science & Water Quality Testing

Lake Level Monitoring Committee


Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association is actively seeking volunteers to serve on our Lake Level Committee.  The committee will initially meet on a monthly basis and is responsible for creating an Extreme Water Level Notification process and for providing lake level and shoreline preservation content for our membership through the Pure Waters website and newsletters.  If you are interested learning more about the “ups and downs” of Seneca Lake and have a few hours a month to serve as a Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association volunteer please contact Jill Ritter, the committee chair,  at: 

jillritter@icloud.com

HAB Shoreline Monitors

Toxic cyanobacteria blooms, often called harmful algal blooms or HABs, form in the lake during the mid-to-late summer. Seneca Lake Pure Waters is in its 8th year surveying for and reporting HABs. We warn the community when they occur and the bloom data are important for researchers.     

While many of our experienced volunteers are returning (thank you!), we need more volunteers to fill in coverage gaps around the lake. You don’t have to live on the lake to volunteer.

Expectations include a two-hour training session (remote again this year) and monitoring a mutually agreed on shoreline zone at least once a week from August through early October.

We especially need volunteers in the following areas:

Southeast: Caywood Point; Burrell Rd. south through Giles Rd. and Phelps Rd. (Previously two zones); and N. Falls Rd. (north of Hector Falls).

Southwest: Camp Whitman; Plum Point; Red Cedar/Lakeview Rd. (north of Starkey Pt); Birch Rd./Elm Rd.; Fir Tree Point Extension-Landsberg Rd.-Leonard Pt Rd.; Inwood Rd.; and Salt Point Rd./Corbett Pt.

Northwest: South of Whites Pt south to Harmony Beach; Reeds Point south to West Lake fire station; and Albany Beach Rd-Boston Rd-Caton Rd.


    CSLAP

    Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program

CSLAP is a lake water quality monitoring program administered by the New York State Federation of Lakes Association and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Sampling begins in June and is done every 2 weeks, for 8 total sessions through September. Observations are made of weather and lake conditions, water clarity is measured, and samples are taken near surface and at a prescribed depth of 18 meters for lab testing. Water temperatures are recorded and the samples are processed for shipment to the lab. Forms of phosphorous and nitrogen are measured, along with pH, conductance, and chlorophyll (an algae indicator). Four mid lake sites, spaced from north to south on Seneca lake, are sampled by Pure Waters volunteers. Data is analyzed by DEC scientists and a lake report is generally available in the following spring.


      Two Person Teams of Volunteers

  • Boat required for offshore lake water testing
  • Home lab processing (all materials provided)

Harmful Algal Bloom Program Management Team

During the summer and into fall, the Pure Waters fields a strong volunteer force to look for and document HABs as well as take samples. In 2020, we had over 120 volunteers covering 60 miles of shoreline. We expect 2021 to be even bigger as we venture out to cover beyond the shoreline and into the lake. We also coordinate extensively with the Finger Lakes Institute, NYS DEC, the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association and the Keuka Lake Association. Managing such a large force requires extensive planning by a few dedicated people.

Our management structure consists of a Director, 4 Regional Coordinators and staff support for reporting and management systems, training, and communications. We need assistants for the Director and Regional Coordinators and welcome as many support people we can get. The more people working together, the less the workload is for any one individual.

As the HAB Team has gained experience, individuals have moved to start other programs and grow the Pure Waters reach and effectiveness. We need to have a pipeline of individuals to learn the program so they can step up in the future.

The following are brief descriptions of the roles we are looking for. None of these positions requires someone who lives on the lake. They are a great opportunity for those that love the lake or feel strongly about helping, but may not feel they can do shoreline monitoring.

Assistant Director (or any single role below)

  • Administrative support
  • IT and data collection support
  • Communication and writing, formatting articles
  • Training delivery materials
  • Communications (e.g. weekly Bloom Watch newsletters)
  • Developing educational materials

    Regional Coordinators

  • We are organized into 4 regions
  • Not required to be shoreline monitors or live on or near the lake
  • Manage about 20-30 shoreline volunteers during the HAB season (August into October)
  • Help plan for the season and train the volunteers


Stream Monitoring 

Sampling Teams

Pure Waters is looking for new stream sampling volunteers to work to provide new storm and baseflow data from surrounding Seneca Lake tributaries. We currently have 7 volunteers who help do the sampling.

Approximately 2-4 sampling events occur between March and June. Each sampling usually takes approximately 1-1.5 hours and by supporting this team, you will help collect critical data that will be used to identify sources of pollution negatively impacting Seneca Lake Water Quality.

   Team Leader also needed! Leaders would:

  • Notify stream sampling volunteers when the sampling will take place.
  • Bring already existing sampling supplies and bottles to sampling events.
  • Deliver samples to a predetermined location on the Outlet trail for consolidation with samples collected by another team responsible for sampling locations at the eastern end of the Outlet Trail.

HAB Sign Project

In fall of 2019 Yates County Health Department decided to use some grant funding for HAB information signs at strategic locations on lakes within its boundaries. It partnered with Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association, Keuka Lake Association and Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association to adapt an EPA design and procure the signs. Seneca Lake will get about a dozen metal signs to place at key lake access locations. There are also laminated posters and handouts that can be posted at Lake-related businesses.

In January 2020, Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association partnered with Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association to procure a small grant for signs in Ontario County. Seneca Lake has another dozen signs ready for placement.

In order to complete the project the Association needs someone to lead the installation effort.


      Metal Signs

  • Survey and document potential locations for signage.
  • Work with property owners, private and public, to arrange installation.
  • Document locations and property owner contact information.
  • Where necessary, arrange for someone to install the sign.


      Posters

  • Identify businesses as candidates for posters.
  • Work with businesses to display posters.
  • Catalog poster locations.


Invasive Species

Shoreline Volunteers

In this second year of out Invasive Species Program we desire to expand our lake coverage and knowledge of invasive macrophyte species that reside in our lake, and become more aligned with efforts that would control introduction of more harmful weeds.  Our near neighbor, Cayuga Lake, has been fighting the proliferation of Hydrilla, and we need to step up our efforts to prevent introduction into Seneca Lake.  

   Invasive Species Shoreline Volunteer:

  •  Aquatic plant survey volunteer, includes training, rake toss and data submission every 2 weeks during summer months
  • -Boat launch water craft steward volunteers, includes training and inspection of boats/trailers at launch sites
  •  Monitor and report terrestrial invasive species that lead to negative water quality impacts.


Education & Community Outreach

Lake Friendly Living 

Pure Waters Lake Friendly Living Program seeks volunteers to help promote and educate residents about home practices that can have a positive impact on our lake. As a Lake Friendly Program volunteer, your role can cover a variety of promotion and education needs including:

  • Introduce the program to your community through meetings with your social, religious and professional groups. Pure Waters will provide you with information and materials.
  • Organize a workshop on “how to’s” related to landscape techniques such as planting rain gardens, buffers and native greenery, installing a rain barrel or permeable surfaces

Let us know what you are interested in doing and we will help make it fun and easy to do! Thank you!

Membership Committee

Pure Waters is looking for volunteers to serve on the Membership Committee. This committee plays a critical role in the recruitment and retention of our membership base. The role of the Membership Committee is to:

  • Promote the benefits of Pure Waters membership.
  • Identify strategies to increase membership.
  • Work to retain current members.
  • Identify strategies to enhance the value of a Pure Waters membership.
  • Recommend dues structures and member benefits.

Serving on the Membership Committee would be a natural fit for anyone who feels passionate about preserving and protecting Seneca Lake. Committee meetings occur once a month and can be attended in person or via phone.

Event Coordination

Pure Waters is looking for volunteers to serve on the Events Committee. This committee plays a critical role in developing and coordinating key public events across the watershed.  As an example, both educational and fun events at wineries and craft beer locations are planned by the committee. The primary role of committee team members includes:

  • Event coordination and venue selection
  • Event advertising and promotion
  • Event calendar development
  • Annual Meeting/Silent auction planning and coordination

Serving on the Events Committee would be a natural fit for anyone who feels passionate about preserving and protecting Seneca Lake through fun and educational events. Committee meetings occur once a month and can be attended in person or via phone.

Photography Enthusiasts

Develop a Photo Contest


Pure Waters is looking for volunteers be part of a Photo Contest Team responsible for developing a photo contest for residents of our Seneca Lake watershed. Awards for the best photos will be presented at the Pure Waters Annual Meeting in August. In addition, photos will also be used in various newsletters and brochures. The role of the Photography team will include:

  • Investigate how other Finger Lakes have structured their photo contests.
  • Develop a solution for storing photos.
  • Launch the contest to the Seneca Lake watershed community.
  • Judge photo entries.
  • Help assemble awards to be present at the Annual Meeting.

Serving on the Photo Contest Team will help us spread the beauty of our Lake. In addition, the photos collected will enrich our newsletters and other collateral material developed by Pure Waters. Meetings for this activity will typically occur once a month.

Organization Development & Support

Writers and Editors

Pure Waters is looking for volunteer writers and editors to serve on the Communications Committee. This committee plays a critical role in developing both hard copy and soft copy communications to deliver to the Pure Waters membership base and the community at large. The primary role of communications team is to develop and deliver:

  • Newsletters
  • On-line presence/Website/Social Media
  • Brochures
  • Event displays and posters
  • Annual Meeting programs
  • Press Releases

Serving on the Communications Committee would be a natural fit for anyone who feels passionate about preserving and protecting Seneca Lake through clear and effective communications. Committee meetings occur once a month and can be attended in person or via phone.

Finance Committee Volunteers

The Pure Waters Finance Committee, led by the Treasurer and a co-chair, supports the Treasurer and board of directors by recommending financial policies, developing the annual budget, monitoring financial performance, handling ad hoc financial issues, and collating the annual report.

While board members fill most of the positions, the committee seeks to have non-board committee members to provide a fresh perspective and energy. The committee is particularly interested in individuals with non-profit, business, or financial/accounting experience. 

Meetings occur the second Monday of each month in the late afternoon, usually lasting about 45 minutes to an hour. Preparation time is usually less than 30 to 60 minutes. Total time spent less than 2 hours per month.


CONTACT US

Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association

P.O. Box 247

Geneva, NY 14456

Email: Info@SenecaLake.org



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