Stay up to date with the Community Science Institute through our monthly updates and blog posts. These publications highlight recent program accomplishments, volunteer stories, organizational news, upcoming events, and timely water quality topics from across our region. Explore the latest updates to learn more about our ongoing work to protect and improve our shared water resources.
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Monthly Updates & Blog Posts
Monthly Update Emails
We hope you enjoy our monthly updates, featuring the latest CSI news, water monitoring program highlights, volunteer stories and photographs, educational resources, featured articles, webinars, and upcoming water-related events from across the Finger Lakes region. It’s a great way to stay informed about our work and learn how your community is helping protect our shared water resources.
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2026
CSI's June 2026 Update
June has been a busy month at Community Science Institute as volunteers and staff kicked off another season of community-powered science. Volunteers have been collecting water quality samples throughout the Cayuga Lake watershed, Seneca Lake watershed, and Owego Creek tributaries, while our Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Monitoring Program officially began on June 1, with reports starting to arrive later in the month as bloom season got underway. Our biomonitoring volunteers are also gearing up for the start of their field season on July 1. CSI’s Journey of Water youth education series is now underway with hands-on programs for children and families throughout the summer. Beyond the field and lab, we've surpassed the halfway point toward our annual fundraising goal thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, and Save the Date invitations have been sent for our annual Volunteer Recognition Event as we look forward to celebrating the volunteers who make this work possible.
CSI's May 2026 Update
May was a productive month at CSI. Our 2025 Annual Report is now available for digital review, with a limited number of hard copies available upon request. Volunteers and staff also spent the month preparing for the Cayuga Lake HAB Monitoring season, which officially began on June 1. Across the watershed, Synoptic Monitoring volunteers collected baseflow samples from streams in Cayuga Heights all the way to Canoga, helping build a clearer picture of water quality conditions throughout the Cayuga Lake watershed. Meanwhile, Biological Monitoring volunteers helped close out sample analysis from the 2025 season while preparing for 2026, demonstrating the year-round commitment of CSI’s volunteer community to protecting our region’s waters.
CSI's March 2026 Update
Spring is underway in the Finger Lakes, bringing renewed energy to our waterways—and to the dedicated community members who help protect them. In this month’s update, we’re excited to share highlights from across our programs, including a new vernal pool monitoring collaboration with Tompkins County Area Partnership (TCAMP), progress in our Biomonitoring Program, and preparations for the upcoming Cayuga Lake HAB Monitoring Program season. Our Synoptic Stream & Lake Monitoring Program also kicked off in March, with volunteers braving high rainfall and challenging conditions to collect critical early-season data. We also take a closer look at ongoing work in the Owego Creek Tributary Monitoring Project, along with recent outreach efforts that continue to connect people with the science and stewardship of their local waters.
CSI's February 2026 Update
As we move through the winter season, CSI continues to advance collaborative, community-centered water quality work across the region. This month, we’re excited to highlight our new partnership with TCAMP’s (Tompkins County Amphibian Patrol), participation in the first-ever Finger Lakes Advocacy Day, and the successful hosting of the 2026 Data Jam: Investigating Local Water Quality. We’re also sharing updates from the Biomonitoring Program and the Synoptic Stream & Lake Monitoring Program, along with details on upcoming CSI events and recent upgrades to CSI’s Water Quality Database. Finally, we’re pleased to announce new WRFI radio commercials promoting the Water Testing Assistance Program, helping expand access to water testing resources throughout our communities.
CSI's January 2026 Update
Despite the cold temperatures and snowy start to the year, there has been a flurry of activity this January at CSI. Synoptic Stream and Lake annual team trainings are underway, and BMI volunteers are staying engaged through Open Lab Nights. We’ve kicked off planning for the 2026 HABs monitoring program, made meaningful database upgrades to support our monitoring work, and were glad to connect with colleagues at the Finger Lakes Research Conference. We’re also excited to welcome a new board member, share that hard copies of The Water Bulletin are now available, and look ahead to a busy schedule of upcoming outreach events. Thank you for keeping the momentum going—even in winter weather.
CSI's May 2026 Update
May was a productive month at CSI. Our 2025 Annual Report is now available for digital review, with a limited number of hard copies available upon request. Volunteers and staff also spent the month preparing for the Cayuga Lake HAB Monitoring season, which officially began on June 1. Across the watershed, Synoptic Monitoring volunteers collected baseflow samples from streams in Cayuga Heights all the way to Canoga, helping build a clearer picture of water quality conditions throughout the Cayuga Lake watershed. Meanwhile, Biological Monitoring volunteers helped close out sample analysis from the 2025 season while preparing for 2026, demonstrating the year-round commitment of CSI’s volunteer community to protecting our region’s waters.
CSI's March 2026 Update
Spring is underway in the Finger Lakes, bringing renewed energy to our waterways—and to the dedicated community members who help protect them. In this month’s update, we’re excited to share highlights from across our programs, including a new vernal pool monitoring collaboration with Tompkins County Area Partnership (TCAMP), progress in our Biomonitoring Program, and preparations for the upcoming Cayuga Lake HAB Monitoring Program season. Our Synoptic Stream & Lake Monitoring Program also kicked off in March, with volunteers braving high rainfall and challenging conditions to collect critical early-season data. We also take a closer look at ongoing work in the Owego Creek Tributary Monitoring Project, along with recent outreach efforts that continue to connect people with the science and stewardship of their local waters.
CSI's February 2026 Update
As we move through the winter season, CSI continues to advance collaborative, community-centered water quality work across the region. This month, we’re excited to highlight our new partnership with TCAMP’s (Tompkins County Amphibian Patrol), participation in the first-ever Finger Lakes Advocacy Day, and the successful hosting of the 2026 Data Jam: Investigating Local Water Quality. We’re also sharing updates from the Biomonitoring Program and the Synoptic Stream & Lake Monitoring Program, along with details on upcoming CSI events and recent upgrades to CSI’s Water Quality Database. Finally, we’re pleased to announce new WRFI radio commercials promoting the Water Testing Assistance Program, helping expand access to water testing resources throughout our communities.
CSI's January 2026 Update
Despite the cold temperatures and snowy start to the year, there has been a flurry of activity this January at CSI. Synoptic Stream and Lake annual team trainings are underway, and BMI volunteers are staying engaged through Open Lab Nights. We’ve kicked off planning for the 2026 HABs monitoring program, made meaningful database upgrades to support our monitoring work, and were glad to connect with colleagues at the Finger Lakes Research Conference. We’re also excited to welcome a new board member, share that hard copies of The Water Bulletin are now available, and look ahead to a busy schedule of upcoming outreach events. Thank you for keeping the momentum going—even in winter weather.
Recent Blog Posts
The Water Bulletin Newsletter
The Water Bulletin Newsletter offers a closer look at the people, programs, and projects that advance CSI’s mission throughout the year. Each annual issue highlights recent accomplishments across our volunteer monitoring, laboratory, education, and outreach programs, sharing stories from the field, updates on ongoing initiatives, and the impact our community is making to protect local water resources. Whether you’re a volunteer, member, partner, or simply interested in regional water quality, the Water Bulletin provides an engaging snapshot of CSI’s work and the collective efforts that make it possible.
CSI's Annual Reports
For more than twenty-five years, the Community Science Institute has partnered with volunteers to monitor and protect the water resources of our region. Each year, we publish an Annual Report highlighting our organizational growth, program accomplishments, and progress toward the sustainable management and protection of our shared waters—today and for future generations. We invite you to explore these reports and thank you for your continued support.
Recent Posts
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CSI is hiring: Office Administrator
The Office Administrator will play a vital role in supporting the smooth
20 July, 2026 -
From Community Report to Regulatory Action
CSI’s Outreach & Programs Coordinator, Alyssa Johnson, collects a sample from Cliff
6 May, 2026