Awards Received by CLWN

2020 – NYSFOLA Lake Steward Award to Hilary Lambert, See p. 2

2018 – Newsletter Recognition, Third Place to “Network News,” CLWN’s quarterly newsletter. The honors go to our layout designer, Leigh Dezelan of Dezelan Dezigns, Ithaca. Award from NYSFOLA (NY State Federation of Lake Associations).

2011 – Signs of Sustainability Award, to the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network. Award from Sustainable Tompkins, Ithaca NY. See p. 10

2010 – Watershed Group Award for Anti-Fracking Efforts, to the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network. Award from Freshwater Future, Petoskey MI.

2008 – Merit Award for Outstanding Education and Outreach, to the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network. Award from the NYS Soil and Water Conservation Society.

Awards Given by CLWN

The Dave Morehouse Award

Cayuga Lake Watershed Network
Established Spring 2003

Dave Morehouse exemplified dedication, leadership and action. Throughout his life, he worked as an individual and with groups, usually in leadership positions, to protect this lake that he loved. A pioneer and visionary, Dave became actively involved in protecting the Finger Lakes long before doing so was popular. His passing in the summer of 2002 was a great loss. Throughout his life, he worked to protect Cayuga Lake including serving as a founding member of the two organizations that sponsor this award, the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization.

The Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Organization and the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network together created the Dave Morehouse Award in 2003 to honor his
contributions and to recognize others who are making a difference to protect our magnificent water resources. Many individuals, businesses, teachers, agricultural producers and community groups are doing wonderful things to preserve and protect our environment.

The criteria for this award are:
• A minimum of five years of actively working to restore and protect the water resources of the Cayuga Lake Watershed.
• Leadership in an endeavor that has lasting benefit.
• A nominee may be an individual, group or business and it is not necessary for the nominee to live in the watershed.
• The award is announced each year in August.

Award Recipients

• John Abel, 2025
• Tee-Ann Hunter, 2024
• Dr. Elizabeth Thorndike, 2023
• David Bouldin, 2021. See p. 1
• Bill Ebert, 2019. See p. 7
• John Mawdsley, 2015. See p. 7
• Steven Penningroth, 2014.
• Bill Foster, 2014.
• Citizens Committee to Protect Cayuga Lake, 2011. See p.3
• James C. White, 2009.
• Finger Lakes Land Trust, 2008.
• Noel Desch, 2007.
• Judith Pipher, 2006.
• Roxanna Johnston, 2005.
• Sylvia Hurlbut, 2003. First year for the Morehouse Award.
• Patterson Farms, 2003. First year for the Morehouse Award.

The James C. White Memorial Prize

Cayuga Lake Watershed Network
Established Spring 2019

Dr. James C. White (1916-2018), a longtime lakeshore resident and lover of the Lake, was the founding Chair of the CLWN in 1997-98. After his death on October 2, 2018, his family and friends designated the Network as one of two principal recipients of memorial donations in his honor. A representative of the family and friends, Elizabeth Thorndike, herself a pioneering official of the CLWN, coordinated the establishment a memorial fund or endowment intended to serve as a perpetual memorial for Dr. White by supporting an annual recognition of someone who has made notable contributions to the efforts of the Network to preserve and enhance Cayuga Lake, with a possible emphasis on younger individuals. Following is an excerpt from our draft Strategic Plan, illustrating the important role Jim White played in helping the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network get started.

History of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network
In 1996 New York State’s legislature passed the Clean Water, Clean Air Bond Act, authorizing 30 years of funding for environmental projects. Shortly thereafter, a group of long-time Cayuga Lake watershed residents met to discuss creating a watershed-oriented organization aimed at protecting Cayuga Lake through the Bond Act and other funding. Over the years there had been many individual group efforts aimed at lake preservation, but there never previously had been an organization with a focus on the entire watershed. In 1997 the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network was unofficially born and by mid-year a steering committee began meeting monthly, chaired by James C. White, retired Cornell professor. At that time, the Steering Committee determined the new organization would:
• Focus efforts on the entire watershed.
• Establish a Board of Directors with equal representation from the watershed.
• Develop a membership base who will advocate for the sustainability of the watershed.
• Serve as an informed, collaborative advocate.
The organization was officially established in 1998.

The criteria for the annual “James C. White Memorial Prize” are:
• Nominees should be individuals or entities who, in the spirit of Dr. White, have made outstanding
contributions to the efforts of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network to preserve and enhance the
watershed.
• Nominees should reside in the watershed, either seasonally or year-round.
• It is preferred but not necessary that nominees be representative of the younger generation of volunteers,
Network members or community members.
• Board members, Network staff members and members of the Network’s award committee shall not be
eligible for nomination while they are actively serving in one of these capacities.
• The prize is announced and conferred at one of the two annual conferences organized by the CLWN.

Past Recipients

• Erin Peruzzini, 2024
• Tom Cassella, 2023
• Nathaniel Launer, 2020. See p. 6-7

Additional Awards Given by CLWN

The Lake Friendly Farming Award, established 2006.

• 2009: 
  • Sheldrake Winery.
• 2008: 
  • Keith and Mo Tidball, Canoga Creek Farm, Seneca County.
  • Cameron Hosmer, Hosmer Wine, Seneca County.
  • John and Joyce Switzer, Tompkins County.
  • Gary and Rosemary Barletta, Long Point Winery, Cayuga County.
• 2007:
  • Scipio Springs Dairy, Cayuga County.
  • Elkendale Farm LLC, Cayuga County.
  • Canoga Springs Farm, Seneca County.
  • Smith Farms, Tompkins County.
  • Beck Farms, Tompkins County.
• 2006 was the first year of the Lake Friendly Farm Award, and thirteen watershed farms were recognized for their stewardship:
  • Fessenden Dairy, Cayuga County.
  • Oakwood Dairy, LLC, Cayuga County.
  • Patterson Farm, Cayuga County.
  • Burr-Ayr Farm, Schuyler County.
  • Autumn Ridge Farm, Tompkins County.
  • Bensvue Farms, Tompkins County.
  • Eddy Farms, Tompkins County.
  • Hardie Farms, Tompkins County.
  • Jerry Dell Farm, Tompkins County.
  • Kirby Farms, Tompkins County.
  • Lew Lin Farm, Tompkins County.
  • Millbrook Farm, Tompkins County.
  • Sweyolakan Farm, Tompkins County.

  Special Awards 

  Hydrilla Heroes

  • Dave and Joyce Heck, 2015. See p. 6

  Emerging Watershed Leaders

  • Eden Lewis, 2023
  • Cornell Biology Service Leaders, 2015. See p. 7
  • Ashley Benning, 2013, Intern and Staff.

  Special Service Award

  • Janet Hawkes, 2007, Founding member and Chair.