News

New York Lakes Webinar Series – June & July 2020

The Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and the New York State Federation of Lake Associations formed a unique partnership to offer a series of no-cost webinars, for lake association members and local governments with lakes in their jurisdictions. The goal was to grow skills for better lake management.

Who: Municipal board members, elected officials, municipal staff, Lake Association members, lakeshore landowners & anyone else that’s interested!

-Looking for webinar recordings? Scroll down for links.
-Certificates of completion are provided only to those who register and participate in the webinars on their original broadcast dates.


Webinar 1: Insurance Coverage for Nonprofit Lake Associations

Date: June 4, 2020, 10-11am

Description: Nonprofits provide a variety of services to our communities. Understanding the risk associated with providing a service and choosing the right liability insurance to protect your nonprofit is not always easy. This workshop will walk attendees though the various types of liability insurance your nonprofit might need, and why you may (or may not) need it.

Presenter:  Brian Martin, Licensed Account Representative, Council Services Plus, a subsidiary of NYS Council of Nonprofits, Inc.


Webinar 2: Conflict Management for Organizations

Date: June 18, 2020, 10-11am

Description: Does your organization or board experience conflict over managing resources or making decisions? Learn from a Syracuse University expert how to transform conflict into opportunity. No matter what your job or role, you can gain skills from this webinar.

Presenter:
Catherine M. Gerard, Director of the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC), Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY


Webinar 3: An Introduction to Lake Ecosystems: A New York State Perspective

Date: July 9, 2020, 10-11am

Description: New York State is blessed with a diverse array of nearly 8,000 lake ecosystems, ranging from unnamed small lakes and ponds to some of the largest lakes on Earth. These ecosystems provide a wide range of services, including recreation, aesthetics, water supply, and habitat for aquatic organisms. This webinar will provide an overview of lake science and water quality management from the perspective of New York’s lakes. Topics will include temperature stratification, harmful algal blooms, aquatic invasive species, lake food webs, and relationships between land use and water quality.
New! Register for the webinar to join an online networking event directly afterward. Access to the networking session provided during the webinar.

Presenters:
Monica Matt, Research Scientist, Upstate Freshwater Institute
David Andrews, Research Scientist, Upstate Freshwater Institute
David Matthews, Director, Upstate Freshwater Institute


Webinar 4: Working with Local Government to Improve Lakes and Communities

Date: July 23, 2020, 10-11am

Description: Learn from two long-time experts about the experiences of towns and lakes working together through zoning and water quality issues. In addition, hear about effective models of collaboration to incorporate into work with your own municipality.

Chris Mikolajczyk of Princeton Hydro will present “A Regional Based Approach to the Management of Lakes in the Borough of Ringwood.” The Borough of Ringwood is situated in the heart of the New Jersey Highlands (which provides drinking water to millions of New Jersey residents) and is home to several public and private lakes that sit within the Ramapo Mountains.  In order to take an active role in the management of these natural resources within multiple watersheds, the Borough of Ringwood is the first municipality in the state of New Jersey to take a regional approach to private lake management through a public-private partnership with four lake associations.

Jim Cunningham, NYSFOLA Board Member, Town of Nelson Supervisor, and Eatonbrook Lake Association member, will discuss the role of local government in lake management using recent experiences and examples from Madison County, NY.
New! Register for the webinar to join an online networking event directly afterward. Access to the networking session provided during the webinar.

Presenters:
Chris Mikolajczyk, Senior Project Manager – Aquatics, Princeton Hydro
Jim Cunningham, Supervisor, Town of Nelson, NY


Click this link to find webinar recordings, available at the Center for Sustainable Community Solutions YouTube Channel within two days after the webinar date.


February 17 – Association of Towns 2020 Annual Meeting & Training School

State and Federal Funding, Financing, and Resources for Municipal Infrastructure Roundtable Discussion

When: February 17th, 2020

Location: New York Marriott Marquis, New York City

What: The Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and government experts presented information about funding and financing for municipal infrastructure.

Who: Municipal Supervisors and Mayors, Council/Board Members, Town Clerks and Managers, DPW Staff, Town Planners, Engineers, and other interested community leaders were invited to attend.

Presentations:

https://efc.syr.edu/resources/presentations/

POSTPONED: March 24 – Protecting Water Quality in the Kettle Lakes Watershed and Beyond

When: Postponed until further notice. Stay tuned as our team works to reschedule this event later in the year.


What: Learn what others are doing to solve water quality challenges so you can become a part of the solution too.

This workshop is free and open to the public. Dinner will be provided.

Who: Farmers and landowners, lakeshore residents, business owners, anglers, village and town officials, staff and residents, and everyone else who enjoys the Kettle Lakes.

This workshop may count for municipal training credits, such as for planning board members. Please check with your local municipality. Certificates of participation will be provided to all attendees.

Agenda:

5:30pm Welcome
5:50pm Kettle Lakes Watershed Planning
6:10pm Priority Water Quality Practices and Q&A
6:30pm Dinner
6:55pm Case Study: Tully Lake Shorescaping
7:05pm Case Study: Agricultural Soil Health Practices
7:15pm Conservation Assistance

Click the images below to begin learning about buffer systems.

Contact: Contact Jes Eckerlin at jeschn01@syr.edu or 315-350-8534 with registration or program questions.

POSTPONED: March 19 – Engineers Roundtable: Strong Applications to Fund Municipal Water Infrastructure

NYWEA logo
AWWA logo

 This webinar and event will be rescheduled at a later time. If you would like to be added to our email list, please contact Meredith (maperrea[at]syr.edu) or Jes (jeschn01[at]syr.edu)

Canceled: Thursday, March 19th 2020, 10am-12pm

What: Due to new Syracuse University policy, the Thursday, March 19, 2020 in-person Engineers Roundtable in Syracuse, NY has been canceled.  

Who: Project managers and grant writers from engineering firms consulting with local governments, municipal town planners, engineers, and water infrastructure managers.

Agenda:
10:00am Welcome and introductions
10:05am An Insider’s Perspective to Developing a Preliminary Engineering Report
11:00am The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Quality (SEQR) Reviews – Are You Doing Them Right?
12:00pm Webinar Adjourns

Webinar Speakers:

  • Anni Balbian • Assistant Engineer, Bureau of Water Supply Protection • NYS Department of Health
  • John T. Helgren, P. E. • State Engineer/State Environmental Coordinator • US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
  • Ken Kosinski, P.E. • Professional Engineer II, Division of Water• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Scott LaMountain • Senior Community Developer for Economic Development, Office of Community Renewal • NYS Homes & Community Renewal
  • Liz Ricci, P.E. • Environmental Project Engineer III • Program Manager, Western Projects • NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation
  • Brenda Smith • Community Programs Director • US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
  • Heather Spitzberg, Esq. CFM • Director, Environmental Analysis Unit • NYS Homes & Community Renewal
  •  

Contact: Contact Jes Eckerlin at jeschn01@syr.edu or 315-350-8534 with registration or program questions.

Nov. 21 – Stream Buffer Workshop

When: November 21st 2019, 5-8pm

Location: Tompkins Center for History and Culture; 110 Tioga Street on the Commons in Ithaca

What: This lively event will provide municipal officials, board members, conservationists and others interested in protecting streams and wetlands with tools that improve water quality, and reduce flooding and property loss in a changing climate. Light dinner will be provided.

Agenda

5:00-5:30 Riparian Buffers 101: Why are buffers important and how are they vulnerable? Lydia Brinkley, Upper Susquehanna Coalition
5:30-6:00 Ordinances/Site Review: Tips and tools to protect buffers at the municipal level. Scott Doyle, Tompkins County Planning and Sustainability
6:00-6:15 Dinner
6:15-6:35 Watershed Planning: Ways to identify and prioritize stream buffers in need of improvement. Kristen Hychka, NYS Water Resources Institute
6:35-7:00 Project Implementation: How to implement a stream/buffer restoration projects and funding options available. Lydia Brinkley
7:00-7:30 Case Studies: Lessons learned from stream restoration projects in Tompkins County. Angel Hinickle, Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District; Scott Doyle, and Lydia Brinkley
7:30-8:00 Q&A

Click here for more information and registration.

Sept. 19 – NYCOM Fall Conference in Saratoga Springs

State and Federal Funding, Financing, and Resources for Municipal Infrastructure Roundtable Discussion

When: September 19th, 2019

Location: Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga Springs, NY

What: The Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and government experts presented information about funding and financing for municipal infrastructure.

Who: Municipal Supervisors and Mayors, Council/Board Members, Town Clerks and Managers, DPW Staff, Town Planners, Engineers, and other interested community leaders were invited to attend.

Presentations:

Click here for a database of presentations at previous SU-EFC events.

The New York Rural Water Association’s 40th Annual Technical Conference: Funding, Financing and Resources for Municipal Infrastructure Roundtable

Funding, Financing, and Resources for Municipal Infrastructure Roundtable

SU-EFC will be hosting a funding roundtable at the New York Rural Water Association’s 40th Annual Technical Training Workshop and Exhibition. Join us to learn more about funding opportunities and other resources!

When: May 22, 2019, 10am-12pm

Speakers: Charles Philion (NYS Homes and Community Renewal),  Audra Nowosielski (NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation), Brenda Smith (USDA Rural Development), Scott Alderman (NYS Department of Health), Christopher Grant (NYS Department of State), Leila Mitchell (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation). Facilitated by Meredith Perreault (SU-EFC).

New York Rural Water Association’s 40th Annual Technical Training Workshop and Exhibition
May 20-22, 2019
The Turning Stone Resort
5218 Patrick Road
Verona, NY 13478
Conference Agenda

Register here: https://www.nyruralwater.org/conference
Registration deadline: May 2, 2019

April 2-3, 2019 – Local Leaders Conference

Local Leaders Conference

When: April 2-3, 2019

Location: Holiday Valley Resort, Ellicottville, NY

What: The Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center and government experts presented information about funding and financing for municipal infrastructure. The conference provide rural leaders in New York State the opportunity to discuss local governance needs and develop leadership skills while networking with technical assistance providers and state and federal funding agency representatives.

Who: Supervisors and mayors, council/board members, town clerks and managers, DPW staff, town planners, engineers, and other interested community leaders are invited to attend.

Presentations:

https://efc.syr.edu/resources/presentations/