The page has lots of information and links to many useful resources! Make sure you "like" the page to continue receiving the updates on your home page under "news". http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/New-York-State-Federation-of-Lake-Associations-Inc/128333640532243

Coming Soon! A New and Improved NYSFOLA Website!

We are in the process of developing a new website where you will be able to communicate with other lake associations and truly be part of a NYSFOLA family! We hope to have it up and running by the middle of February!!

NYSFOLA Annual Conference: After the Storm

May 4-6, 2012 at White Eagle Conference in Hamilton We are working on the agenda and registration forms right now. Call or e-mail the NYSFOLA office if you have any questions.

Asian Clams Found in the Finger Lakes

Asian clams have now been positively identified in both Owasco and Otisco Lakes. The lake level in Owasco Lakeis being lowered this winter in an attempt to freeze the sediment and kill the clams. More links on our facebook page.

Shoreland Protection Resources From EPA

The preservation of natural shoreline plays a huge role in protecting the ecological integrity of lakes. Find out more at: http://water.epa.gov/type/lakes/shoreland.cfm.
And for fun, watch Larry the Bullfrog. He'll tell you more about protecting shorelines. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ret_2agvDzg
Sebastian the Goose will tell you that your manicured lawn to the lake is a personal invitation for geese!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhKIGxXgrLg&feature=BFa&list=UL8mH6fnhAQyk&index=1

Lake Champlain Mini-Grants--Apply now!

Is your lake in the Lake Champlain Basin? Are you coming to the NYSFOLA Conference? Apply for a mini-grant and you might come for free! Grant money is available. For details: Visit the Lake Champlain Basin Program website.

http://www.lcbp.org/PDFs/2009Grants/profdev-mini-grant2009.pdf

Toxic Blue Green Algae Plagues Some NYSFOLA Lakes

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue green algae, has plagued some NYS lakes this summer. In July, a large bloom closed busy beaches on Oneida Lake. This month, several CSLAP lakes have reported blooms including: Kirk Lake, Melody Lake, Snyders Lake, Chautauqua Lake and Wee Wah Lake. Beach closures have occurred, and on Melody Lake, a dog became very ill after swimming in, and drinking from, the lake.

Learn more about blue green algae at: Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/hab/ NYS DOH: http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae.htm

Looking for funding? Here's a good site to check out!

The Environmental Grantmakers Association (EGA) was formed in 1987 with twelve member foundations from across the United States. Today, our members represent over 220 foundations from North America and around the world. http://www.ega.org

NYS Department of State Division of Coastal Resources Watershed Planning

The Department of State's Division of Coastal Resources works with communities throughout New York State to help them make the most of what their waterfronts have to offer. Whether you are a municipal official, community group, non-profit organization, business, or someone who has an interest in the waterfront, the Division of Coastal Resources can help.

This website is part of a multi-media package designed to provide readily accessible information and share lessons learned and successful techniques. Videos and guidebooks are currently available to help you learn more about waterfront revitalization, re-using abandoned buildings, and watershed planning:

logonto: http://www.nyswaterfronts.com/index.asp

EPA Watershed Academy Webinars

EPA's Watershed Academy is pleased to sponsor free webcast seminars. Local watershed organizations, municipal leaders, and others are invited to sign up for these free, on-line webcast training sessions. Webcasts are typically conducted on an approximately monthly basis, on Wednesdays at 1:00pm to 3:00pm EST. Attendees must register in advance to participate in webcasts. During the webcasts, trainees log onto the Web to participate in live training conducted by expert instructors. Your computer must have the capability of playing sound in order to attend the webcasts. In advance of webcasts, we post PDF copies of the PowerPoint slides in the yellow box for those that want to print them out. The Watershed Academy is also now offering a certificate to those that attend webcasts. For those that are not able to register for a webcast, a streaming audio version of the training will be made available after the live seminar. For more information, or to join a webinar, log onto: http://water.epa.gov/learn/training/wacademy/webcasts_index.cfm.

EPA Clean Lakes Widget

EPA also has news on the Clean Lakes Program on its website. This Clean Lakes site includes information on a broad range of topics:

• National Lakes Asssessment
• Lake water quality summaries
• Clean Lakes Program under Section 314 of the Clean Water Act
• Lakes funding under Section 319 Nonpoint Source Program
• Lake Shoreland Protection Resources: Clearinghouse for Information on Lakeshore Protection and Restoration
• On-line lakes documents and how to order lakes documents
• Lakes meetings
• Lakes Awareness month celebrated each July and outreach materials
• Recent Additions
• Related links
• Clean Lakes Archives

Log onto: http://water.epa.gov/type/lakes/index.cfm

The site also has resources for shoreland protection: http://water.epa.gov/type/lakes/shoreland.cfm

Educate Youth About Your Lake--Captain Planet Foundation Grants!

The Captain Planet Foundation is an offshoot of the popular Captain Planet cartoon series created by TBS, Inc in 1990 and intended to entertain children while teaching them the importance of environmental responsibility. Captain Planet broke new ground by successfully merging children's educational programming and entertainment programming. While in original production, the series received three Daytime Emmy Nominations, three Environmental Media Awards, a Parent's Choice Award, two Genesis Awards for animal issues programming, and a commendation from Peggy Charren's Action for Children's Television, as well as numerous other educational and media accolades. In 1991, Ted Turner decided to take the proceeds from this commercially successful, educational, yet entertaining series and put those profits into something that would inspire the very people that consumed it, youth. CPF awarded its first environmental grant in 1992.

The Captain Planet Foundation will fund as many projects as its annual resources allow. Please read the following guidelines thoroughly if you would like to seek funding from us. In order to maximize the impact of Foundation funds, the Board of Trustees limits their grant awards to those applications which comply with the following guidelines.

All applicant organizations or sponsoring agencies must be exempt from federal taxation under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501, in order to be eligible for funding (this includes most schools and non-profit organizations).

ALL PROJECTS MUST:

Promote understanding of environmental issues Focus on hands-on involvement Involve children and young adults 6-18 (elementary through high school) Promote interaction and cooperation within the group Help young people develop planning and problem solving skills Include adult supervision Commit to follow-up communication with the Foundation (specific requirements are explained once the grant has been awarded)

http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/grants.html

Minnesota Sea Grant On-Line Information About Fish Parasites

At least once per year, the NYSFOLA gets calls or e-mails regarding fish found in NYS lakes with black spots or lesions or other visible problems. Many of these skin problems are caused by parasites. A great new resource is available on the web at: http:\\www.seagrant.umn.edu/fisheries/parasites. Check it out!

Great Publication! Maine Field Guide to Invasive Aquatic Plants

Learn to identify nuisance aquatic plants with this publication on the web at:

http:\\www.mainevolunteerlakemonitors.org/mciap/FieldGuide.pdf

Comments or Additions?

The "Water Column" is designed to alert NYSFOLA members to the latest happenings impacting NYS lakes. Your comments or suggestions are always welcome.

 Thank you, Site Administrators