The Network at Work
Collaboration Brings New Experiences

Bill Foster
Watershed Educator

With help from "Ernie the Invertibrate", Board member Tony Ganzon and Bill Foster explored the impacts of water pollution with 400 students at the 36th Annual Seneca County Conservation Field Day, on May 28. Network staff and volunteers provide education and fun every year at similar events — and we’re always looking for more opportunities.

Working for an organization that focuses on collaboration has its perks, and the variety of experiences I’ve been able to enjoy in the past few months has certainly made that evident. Already this summer, I have spent two fantastic days on the Lake with students participating in the Floating Classroom project and have attended New York State’s "Project WET" environmental education program. I would also like to make special note of the Network’s good fortune to have been able to host Mr. Ngwe Sint, who comes to us from Myanmar by way of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program at Cornell. Mr. Sint, who is involved in watershed management for his country’s Department of Forestry, recently completed a six week internship with the Network, during which time he assisted in forest inventory work being conducted along the Six Mile Creek Corridor, and helped us move our grant-writing program into high gear. As we shared our experiences in the field, it became clear that, while the social and environmental challenges faced by residents of Myanmar villages in managing their resources seem to be on a completely different scale from those we face in the Finger Lakes, the underlying solutions have much in common. Each circumstance requires that people first must have an opportunity to make a decent living, and second must have information to help understand their role as stewards of the land and water upon which they depend. The Network’s involvement in this internship program proved to be an eye-opening experience. Our thanks to Sint, and we hope it was as valuable for him as it was for us.

As always, our volunteers have been hard at work spreading the watershed message. This spring saw Network members put forth their annually impressive effort in support of important events such as Water Week and the Tompkins County Environmental Appreciation Days. During May, Board member Tony Ganzon joined me in presenting a lesson on non point source pollution to some 400 sixth graders at the Seneca County Conservation Field Days event. I also had the opportunity to partner with Board member Connie Tallcot in making a presentation to the Union Springs Lions Club. Our Watershed Steward has also been busy, of course, introducing Enfield planners and residents to computer-based mapping and planning tools being made available through Cornell’s LEAPE program, and working with local 4-H clubs and Girl Scouts to initiate storm drain stenciling projects throughout Tompkins County. Sharon also attended the New York State Association of Lake Managers conference on behalf of the Network.

We also want to extend a warm welcome to our new intern, Kate Wadach, who will be working on the Network’s collaborative stormwater initiative this summer. On a final note, we want to recognize Christian Boissonnas, Network member and volunteer extraordinaire, for applying his considerable expertise in organizing the Network office and acting as defacto computer network administrator. Christian, the Network would not exist without people like YOU.