Scientists, environmental advocates, and community members will gather on March 8 for the 2025 Bob Brower Scientific Symposium, an annual event focused on the health of Owasco Lake. This year’s symposium, titled “Owasco Lake: At Its Tipping Point,” will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Auburn Public Theater, with doors opening at 8 a.m. for registration, coffee, and breakfast refreshments. The event will also be available online via Zoom.
Hosted by the Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA), the symposium will feature presentations from leading experts on water quality, harmful algal blooms (HABs), invasive species, and ongoing conservation efforts. Key speakers include:
- Tony Prestigiacomo – Discussing Owasco Lake water quality, HABs, and progress on grants and projects.
- Kim Schulz – Examining the effects of Dreissenid mussels on harmful algal blooms in lakes.
- Ben Kelley & Lisa Cleckner – Sharing insights from the Owasco Lake Buoy Program, which monitors lake dynamics.
- Adam Effler – Outlining the role of the Inspection Division in public services and updates on Nine Element Plan (9EP) implementation projects.
Dana Hall of OWLA and the Skaneateles Lake Association (SLA) will serve as the event’s master of ceremonies.
The Bob Brower Scientific Symposium is designed to present complex environmental science in plain language, making it accessible to the public. Organizers hope the event will raise awareness of the challenges facing Owasco Lake and encourage local involvement in conservation efforts.
For more information or to register for the Zoom session, visit OWLA’s website.
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