With summer on the horizon, a local group is calling on residents to help safeguard the health of Seneca Lake through a wide range of volunteer efforts.
The Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association has launched a recruitment campaign urging people of all ages and backgrounds to join its volunteer team. The call to action highlights several opportunities—from stream sampling to public outreach—designed to protect the lake’s water quality and educate the community.
“Seneca Lake is part of our lives — it’s family traditions, summer memories, and a place we all care about,” the group said in a recent newsletter. “The lake needs its people. Can it count on you?”
One of the most urgent needs is for stream monitors who can collect water samples during storms and deliver them to labs in Ithaca or Geneva. Volunteers are especially needed near Catharine Creek, Glen Eldridge, Reeder Creek, and Keuka Outlet. The role requires just three sampling events per year, with training provided.
Additional help is sought for a stream flow sampling project that uses radar guns and basic equipment to capture high-flow data during storm events. Volunteers are trained and asked to transport water samples to the Finger Lakes Institute in Geneva within 24 hours.
The group’s WAVES program is also seeking help from those interested in identifying macroinvertebrates to assess stream health. This family-friendly project involves 2–3 sessions from July through September and is well-suited for children and adults alike.
For those with a scientific eye, the Macrophyte Survey Program offers training in invasive species identification. Volunteers monitor shorelines or boat-accessible areas every two weeks through the summer.
Residents who frequent the lake are encouraged to help monitor harmful algal blooms (HABs). Tasks include spotting and reporting blooms or supporting the program with data management and real-time public updates. Volunteers are especially needed at the southern end of the lake.
Opportunities also extend beyond science. The group needs help organizing outreach events and is welcoming new committee members with skills in photography, writing, graphic design, or general organizing. One key opening is for a new treasurer to join the group’s volunteer board.
“Whether you’re contributing your time, skills, or passion, you can make a real difference in protecting the lake we all love,” the newsletter read.
To learn more or sign up, interested individuals can email info@senecalake.org or view a recent segment on the FLX Morning Show linked in the full newsletter.
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