Saranac Lake, NY – Lakes are complex ecosystems, but taking action to protect them doesn’t have to be difficult.
On Tuesday, Oct. 28, community members are invited to, “Sips and Science: Love Your Lakes”, a new event celebrating Adirondack waters and sharing practical steps everyone can take to protect them. The event will take place from 6–9 p.m. at the Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake.
Attendees will be able to connect with at least eight organizations that have unique yet overlapping perspectives on keeping Adirondack waterbodies healthy. The evening will also serve as the official release of the new “Love Your Lakes” brochure, which highlights eight simple actions individuals can take to safeguard local waters.
“We felt like it was time to bring all of these messages together so the public could learn about the simple steps people can take to make sure our waterbodies and the species that rely upon them are as healthy as possible,” said Brian Greene, program director of the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program.
This free community event was organized by the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP), Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI), and the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. It will feature hands-on learning opportunities on identifying invasive species, protecting loon habitat, maintaining water quality, and more.
For families, The Wild Center will host fun, interactive activities for children, and APIPP will offer a kids’ drawing contest as a way for children to celebrate lake life.
“Connecting with Adirondacks lakes is the first step in protecting them,” said AWI Executive Director Maureen Cunningham. “The Adirondack Watershed Institute and our partners are thrilled to host Love Your Lakes, a hands-on, educational event where the community can explore our lakes and learn how to protect them for the future. We invite everyone to join us, have fun, and become stewards of the lakes that make this region so special.”
From 6–7 p.m., guests can enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the hotel’s grand ballroom while exploring interactive displays. At 7 p.m., speakers from Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, Adirondack Watershed Institute, and the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation will give brief presentations on key threats to Adirondack lakes, including invasive species, harmful algal blooms, and the impacts of lead on loons. The evening will conclude with additional time for guests to mingle and visit displays from 8–9 p.m.
“Healthy lake ecosystems are directly related to what so many of us value about living in the Adirondacks,” said Dorothy Waldt, executive director of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. “From the presence of wildlife to the availability of fresh water to recreational opportunities, it makes sense that all of our organizations work together with our community to promote stewardship of our lakes.”
Participating organizations include Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, Adirondack Watershed Institute, Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, Adirondack Lakes Alliance, Ausable Freshwater Center, Lake Champlain Basin Program, The Wid Center and Upper Saranac Foundation.
About Paul Smith’s College:
At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. As the only four-year college located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith’s provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences and natural resources. We are able to draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive and adventurous individuals collectively provide experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at paulsmiths.edu.
About Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program:
The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) serves as the Adirondack Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM), one of eight partnerships across New York. APIPP is hosted by The Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and receives financial support from the Environmental Protection Fund administered by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Media Contacts:
Shaun Kittle
shaun.kittle@tnc.org
Emily Roberts
PRforPaulSmiths@bospar.com
