The Six Mile Creek Volunteer Group was recognized by the Town of Ithaca Conservation Board for their contributions to Ithaca’s natural environment. The Richard B. Fischer Environmental Conservation Award was presented to the Six Mile Creek volunteers at a tree planting ceremony in Ithaca’s Grandview Park, which is in the Six Mile Creek watershed. CSIRead more
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In recognition of National Drinking Water Week, the Community Science Institute will be offering tours of the certified laboratory and discounted coliform bacteria testing for residents with private wells. National Drinking Water Week raises awareness about drinking water protection and highlights the importance of the availability of safe drinking water. Less than one percent (1%)Read more
A stream monitoring collaboration between the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association (SLPWA) and the Community Science Institute (CSI) to monitor streams flowing to Seneca Lake involved some 45 local volunteers collecting samples from Catherine Creek, Reeder Creek, and Big Stream throughout 2014. With plans to expand the stream monitoring to additional watersheds, SLPWA and CSIRead more
With extreme weather events on the rise and government research budgets getting slashed, the need for locally relevant data is more important than ever for managing resources at the municipal scale. CSI’s 11th Annual Volunteer Symposium, “Community-Based Monitoring in a Changing Climate” will highlight how changes in the climate have the potential to impact localRead more
More than 6 million New Yorkers get their drinking water from private wells. If your drinking water comes from a private well, you are responsible for your own water supply. This is a big responsibility that can seem overwhelming. The good news is that your well can be safely managed with regular inspections and testing. Responsible managementRead more
The possibility that water resources could become contaminated from hydrofracking is a major reason that many opposed the gas extraction method. While the recent announcement of a ban on fracking in New York comes as a relief to those concerned about water quality, it does not mean that New York’s water resources are immune toRead more
It’s easy to get caught up in the scenic waterfalls and award-winning wines found along the shores of Seneca Lake. These well-known features of the Finger Lakes deserve the attention they receive, but won’t be the only focus of the upcoming “Seneca Lake Academy”, a free full-day event to explore the natural and cultural historyRead more
When one thinks of scientific data collection, volunteers working in the field with test kits and clipboards may not be the first image that comes to mind. With any volunteer stream monitoring program ensuring that accurate, reliable data is being collected is essential to a successful program. Unlike CSI’s flagship Synoptic Sampling program, where samples are testedRead more
Just days after announcing that a decision about whether or not to allow hydrofracking in New York would be made “before the end of the year,” the Cuomo administration announced on Wednesday, December 17th that the controversial gas extraction method known as hydrofracking would be banned in New York. Citing “significant public health risks”, Dr. Howard Zucker,Read more
The Community Science Institute along with 54 other local nonprofit organizations will be at the 11th Annual Ithaca Alternative Gift Fair on Saturday, December 6th from 11 AM – 6 PM in Ithaca. The fair is held in both the First Baptist Church and the First Presbyterian Church on the corner of N. Cayuga and Court Street in Ithaca.Read more
Whether you’re a long-time volunteer, you’ve never looked through a microscope, and anywhere in between, CSI is now holding weekly BMI identification sessions for any one interested in getting involved. Adrianna Hirtler, CSI’s BMI Specialist, will be at the sessions to train and help volunteers with identification. Biological monitoring is a fun, affordable, and effectiveRead more
More than 6 million New Yorkers get their drinking water from private wells. If your drinking water comes from a private well, you are responsible for your own water supply. This is a big responsibility that can seem overwhelming. The good news is that your well can be safely managed with regular inspections and testing. Responsible managementRead more
This story, written by Kait Clarke and Alyvia Covert, originally appeared in the online magazine, Ithaca Week and has been reprinted with permission. Ithaca’s Water Treatment Plant is in the first stages of a renovation project for the drinking water system of the City of Ithaca, specifically to the Six Mile Creek watershed. The city hasRead more
Most of CSI’s efforts in the Cayuga Lake watershed go towards monitoring streams and creeks that flow into Cayuga Lake. Twice a year, CSI partners with the Floating Classroom to collect samples from Cayuga Lake itself, testing for the same parameters as in the streams. The trip out on the lake is one of the highlights ofRead more
The Finger Lakes are well-known for boating, waterfalls, and its wine industry. An invasive aquatic plant, hydrilla verticillata, is threatening Cayuga Lake as we know it, and other Finger Lakes may be next on the list. Considered one of the most aggressive aquatic plants, hydrilla was found 3 years ago in the Cayuga Inlet when aRead more
