The Indian River Lakes Conservancy launched Project WHIRL (Protectors of Water and Habitat on the Indian River Lakes) last summer. The project is an environmental education program for local teens that teaches participants about conservation.

Our inaugural year was a great success. We achieved our goal of enriching teens’ lives with experience-based learning that increased their skills, knowledge, and confidence in outdoor exploration. We don’t want to lose that momentum this year even though we have to social distance.

This year’s program will take place over six weeks starting July 14th. Each week will kick off with a ‘Zoom’ meeting to provide the educational background needed for the week’s environmental research.

Then, WHIRLers will explore nature and the Indian River watershed to fulfill the week’s research and exploration project. The next week will begin with the students coming back together, via Zoom, to talk about their experiences, share what they learned and discuss the upcoming week’s project.

This summer’s program will focus on watersheds and watershed management, aquatic resources, and invasive species. With the help of our partner, FORCES at SUNY ESF, we will also introduce the students to environmental learning opportunities at the higher-education level. College-age mentors will discuss their experiences, answer questions, and talk about going into the environmental fields professionally.

Several partners have come together to create this program including SUNY ESF College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Indian River Central School, St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management, the Izaak Walton League, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the NY State Parks FORCES (Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship) program alongside the Indian River Lakes Conservancy.

WHIRL is a no-cost program open to all students ages 14 – 18. The class will be limited in size. To inquire further or sign up, email info@indianriverlakes.org. Registration is open until June 10th.

The Indian River Lakes Conservancy launched Project WHIRL (Protectors of Water and Habitat on the Indian River Lakes) last summer. The project is an environmental education program for local teens that teaches participants about conservation.

Our inaugural year was a great success. We achieved our goal of enriching teens’ lives with experience-based learning that increased their skills, knowledge, and confidence in outdoor exploration. We don’t want to lose that momentum this year even though we have to social distance.

This year’s program will take place over six weeks starting July 14th. Each week will kick off with a ‘Zoom’ meeting to provide the educational background needed for the week’s environmental research.

Then, WHIRLers will explore nature and the Indian River watershed to fulfill the week’s research and exploration project. The next week will begin with the students coming back together, via Zoom, to talk about their experiences, share what they learned and discuss the upcoming week’s project.

This summer’s program will focus on watersheds and watershed management, aquatic resources, and invasive species. With the help of our partner, FORCES at SUNY ESF, we will also introduce the students to environmental learning opportunities at the higher-education level. College-age mentors will discuss their experiences, answer questions, and talk about going into the environmental fields professionally.

Several partners have come together to create this program including SUNY ESF College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Indian River Central School, St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management, the Izaak Walton League, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the NY State Parks FORCES (Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship) program alongside the Indian River Lakes Conservancy.

WHIRL is a no-cost program open to all students ages 14 – 18. The class will be limited in size. To inquire further or sign up, email info@indianriverlakes.org. Registration is open until June 10th.

20th Anniversary Foundation for Community Betterment Weekend

• Friday, July 24, 2020 – Golf for Betterment, 10:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. Tee times, Village Municipal Golf Course
• Friday, July 24, 2020 – John N. Russell Memorial Doubles Tennis Tournament, 9 a.m., Alexandria Bay Village Municipal Tennis Courts
• Friday, July 24, 2020 – Bike for Betterment, 1 p.m., Alexandria Bay Fire Department
• Friday, July 24, 2020 – Party for Betterment, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Bonnie Castle Resort’s outside pool pavilion
• Saturday, July 25, 2020 – Paddle for Betterment, 9a.m., Alexandria Bay Village Beach
• Saturday, July 25, 2020 – Recipients for Betterment event, 11 a.m., Scenic View Park Pavilion

For additional information: www.facebook.com/PaddleForBetterment

The Antique Boat Museum and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 1-6 (Alexandria Bay) are collaborating to adapt “About Boating Safely”, the Auxiliary’s nationally recognized boater safety class to meet COVID-19 restrictions. All classes offered through the Alexandria Bay Flotilla will be offered via Google Meet through November. While this is a USCG Auxiliary class, registration through the Antique Boat Museum’s website is required to be added to the roster.

Beginning June 29th, “About Boating Safely” will be held from 6:30-7:30pm, Monday-Thursday for two weeks with a two-week break between sessions, concluding on Thursday, October 1st. This is an eight-hour course and students will only need to register for one session to receive their certificate. Students will need a computer or tablet with internet access, a functioning webcam and microphone to participate. The textbook for this course is included in tuition and can be picked up at the Antique Boat Museum or shipped to you for an additional fee. More information and the link to online registration are available on the Antique Boat Museum’s website at abm.org.

Under Brianna’s Law, passed in 2019, safe boating certification is required in New York State on the following schedule: If you were born on or after:

January 1, 1993, you need to be certified to operate a motorized vessel by: 2020

January 1, 1988, you need to be certified to operate a motorized vessel by: 2022

January 1, 1983, you need to be certified to operate a motorized vessel by: 2023

January 1, 1978, you need to be certified to operate a motorized vessel by: 2024

All operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, will need a boating safety certificate by January 1, 2025 .

About ABM Located on the St. Lawrence River in upstate NY, ABM features a collection of over 300 antique and classic boats and thousands of recreational boating artifacts. Each summer the waterfront campus comes alive with numerous educational programs and special events, including the longest running antique boat show in North America.

For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at abm.org.

Contact: Amanda Dudley, ABM Director of Education 315.686.4104 x225 | amandadudley@abm.org

The Indian River Lakes Conservancy launched Project WHIRL (Protectors of Water and Habitat on the Indian River Lakes) last summer. The project is an environmental education program for local teens that teaches participants about conservation.

Our inaugural year was a great success. We achieved our goal of enriching teens’ lives with experience-based learning that increased their skills, knowledge, and confidence in outdoor exploration. We don’t want to lose that momentum this year even though we have to social distance.

This year’s program will take place over six weeks starting July 14th. Each week will kick off with a ‘Zoom’ meeting to provide the educational background needed for the week’s environmental research.

Then, WHIRLers will explore nature and the Indian River watershed to fulfill the week’s research and exploration project. The next week will begin with the students coming back together, via Zoom, to talk about their experiences, share what they learned and discuss the upcoming week’s project.

This summer’s program will focus on watersheds and watershed management, aquatic resources, and invasive species. With the help of our partner, FORCES at SUNY ESF, we will also introduce the students to environmental learning opportunities at the higher-education level. College-age mentors will discuss their experiences, answer questions, and talk about going into the environmental fields professionally.

Several partners have come together to create this program including SUNY ESF College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Indian River Central School, St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management, the Izaak Walton League, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the NY State Parks FORCES (Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship) program alongside the Indian River Lakes Conservancy.

WHIRL is a no-cost program open to all students ages 14 – 18. The class will be limited in size. To inquire further or sign up, email info@indianriverlakes.org. Registration is open until June 10th.