Community Science Institute

Save the date: June 10th!

CSI’s Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring Program Coordinator, Alyssa Johnson, will be one of the presenters during this virtual community conference hosted by Cayuga Lake Watershed Network!

💦Log on to learn about what Lurks in the Lake!

📣Register today for our Community Conference on June 10th, live ONLINE by Zoom! 6:30-8:00pm.

👉Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nn47Jsg5R861DrvP0C-Gcg #/registration

🐟Dive into the latest science from Cayuga Lake! Join regional experts for a community conversation exploring what recent harmful algal bloom monitoring and fisheries surveys are revealing about the health, ecology, and future of the lake we all share.

FYI: there is apparently an area-wide Spectrum outage that is affecting our internet and phones. We will update when we’re back online! Thank you for your patience in the mean time.

💧 The 2026 Journey of Water (JoW) program schedule and registration are now LIVE on our website! 💧

If your family is interested in participating, we encourage you to sign up soon — spots may fill quickly for some programs!

CSI's JoW is a free, hands-on learning series offered June–September that invites children and their families to explore how water moves through our lives — from local streams and creeks to the tap and back again.

Designed primarily for children ages 5–12 (and welcoming to learners of all ages and backgrounds), this 12-program series combines outdoor exploration, simple science activities, and real-world examples to spark curiosity, joy, and connection to the natural world.

Participants will:
🌎 Take a "journey" through the Cayuga Lake watershed
💧 Learn how natural and built water systems work
🔬 Engage in hands-on science and outdoor discovery
🐟 Build a stronger connection to the Finger Lakes environment
🌱 Discover how everyday actions help protect clean water

📅 View the full 2026 schedule and register today on our website!
https://communityscience.org/journeyofwater/

CSI is still seeking harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring volunteers on Cayuga Lake—and there are several ways to get involved:

🦠 HABs Harrier – Monitor an assigned shoreline zone at least once per week and report suspected blooms. The season runs June 1–October 31 (though reports are always welcome outside that window!).
🚙 HABs Carrier – Help transport samples from Aurora/Romulus to our lab in Ithaca on an as-needed basis. We especially need support on the east side of the lake.
💦 Both! – Some volunteers choose to monitor and assist with transport.

Why do we continue to monitor when we know HABs can appear here, there and everywhere on the lake?

HABs can change quickly and aren’t always easy to spot. By continuing to monitor, we can:
🧪Protect public health by identifying toxin risks with strategic sample collection efforts and certified lab analysis
⌚️Provide timely updates so people know when waters are safe
📊Build long-term data to better understand trends
🤝Support informed decisions that protect Cayuga Lake now and into the future

Monitoring ensures our community isn’t guessing when it comes to water safety—it’s grounded in science.

👉 Interested? Volunteer sign-up links will be shared in the comments!