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During the three years that we have had the opportunity to work with the students of Finger Lakes Institute we have been extremely impressed with their enthusiastic support. All the students that have participated in our Alternative Spring Break events have worked tirelessly to help our crew remove tons of garbage from the Ohio and Cedar Rivers. The tremendous amount of work our organization has accomplished would not be possible without the generosity of these students. It is incredibly inspiring to see and work with so many wonderful individuals that willingly give up a care-free spring break to help with the back breaking work of improving the quality of our Nations waterways!
This was an awesome experience. Plankton are at the bottom of the food chain and are very important in the food web, yet very few of us have actually seen plankton and can relate to these microorganisms that inhabit our world. This experience will translate into hands-on learning in my science classroom.
Finger Lakes Institute (FLI) was a wonderful partner for a community/school rain garden installation project with fourth graders. FLI helped us plan and execute the educational program for the fourth graders about stormwater, pollution, and the benefit of rain gardens. The lessons done by their student and staff participation during rain garden installation provided an educational component for the fourth graders that we would not have been able to provide. Since the installation, FLI has continued to provide the educational lessons during the annual rain garden clean-up with the new fourth graders.
The class provided lots of helpful information about weeds that grow in lakes. A slide presentation was given that showed photos of weeds, explained how they can actually be beneficial, and talked about practical methods of controlling them. Staff had collected some weeds typically found in the finger lakes and had them there for people to look at, touch, and ask questions about. The presenter did an excellent job - she spoke well and made the topic interesting. All of the staff were very knowledgable and helpful.
I have had a number of positive interactions with FLI over the last few years. They offer numerous programs and speakers that I have attended. The FLI has been involved in educating about invasive plants which I have also been active in. FLI invited me to speak t one of their public events and they have also provide materials and a display for me to use at public events. I can always depend on FLI to help me with information, with coordination of volunteers or any other needs I have.
The staff of the Finger Lakes Institute provided our organization with technical and logistical support as we reorganized the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association into a stronger all volunteer grass roots organization avoiding a dissolution of a failing watershed association that lacked leadership and direction. The FLI staff are continuing to provide support and guidance to our organization and have provided meeting and office space for us as needed.
Excellent! Sheila Myers (education director) puts together excellent workshops and makes sure the website is current and up to date. She brings in experts from the Hobart and William Smiths colleges and works closely with teachers throughout the Western NY/Finger Lakes area.
FLI is unique in that it is a consortium of area colleges, offering teachers outstanding opportunities for professional development. Learning first hand from professors and professionals in the field of environmental science helps teachers assimilate the latest research in environmental science. FLI hosts classes in a state of the art green building on the Hobart and William Smith Colleges campus. The facilities include a laboratory and research vessel for limnology study.
