This summer, we’re once again conducting aquatic invasive species (AIS) surveys and monitoring in and around Chautauqua Lake!
We’ll kick things off with the informational presentation “What Are These Weeds? An Introduction to Chautauqua Lake Invasive Species” on Monday, June 17th at 4pm.
Attendees will learn what invasive species are, how and why they pose a threat to our local ecosystem and economy, and which invasives have been identified in Chautauqua Lake to date. You’ll also hear about our ongoing efforts within the community to prevent the arrival of new invasive species and manage the ones that are already present.
Those interested in the presentation can attend either in person at our office at 71 East Fairmount Avenue in Lakewood or online via Zoom. To attend in person, RSVP to info@chautauquawatershed.org or 716-664-2166. Due to limited seating, in-person attendance is limited to 15 individuals. To attend via Zoom, use this link:
We’ll also be taking to the water several days each month from June to September at various locations around Chautauqua Lake to re-survey areas where aquatic invasives have been previously reported and survey potential new sites for them as well. If any invasives are found, we’ll report them through the online reporting portal iMapInvasives and then carefully remove and dispose of them.
We have two on-water surveys scheduled in the month of June:
Wednesday, June 19th, 10am – survey of McCrea Point/Celoron – meet at McCrea Point Park kayak launch
Monday, June 24th, 2pm – survey of Celoron/ McCrea Point – meet at Celoron Park
Other survey dates are listed below. All surveys are weather permitting, so be sure to check our website for current dates and times and for any cancellations.
We welcome and appreciate help with these surveys. If you are available to volunteer, please RSVP to ais@chautauquawatershed.org with your name, contact info, and date/s of the survey/s you’d like to participate in. Though participation is free, registration helps us know how many people we can expect to have on hand and better “map out” our surveys. (Please note that participants will need to bring her/her own kayak or canoe and life jacket.)
Get more info on our AIS program at https://www.chautauquawatershed.org/aquatic
With thanks to the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance for their funding assistance for this year’s AIS program!
