In large part due to the hard work of Congressman Jim Walsh, the Finger Lakes Institute has been successful in establishing links with other regional environmental research centers, such as the Center of Excellence in Environmental Systems at Syracuse University, to ensure the effective utilization of this research
Area's lakes require protection
By Michael Nozzolio
The Citizen should be commended for its recent articles concerning the water quality of the Finger Lakes. The series of articles reminds us that we have an important responsibility to ensure the health of the Finger Lakes and the future vitality and viability of our region.
As one who was born and raised in the Finger Lakes region, I have always believed that the region could greatly benefit from a focus of world-class researchers whose study was dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting the Finger Lakes. It was an idea that was generated nearly three decades ago while I was a graduate student at Cornell University, and an idea that I am proud is now a reality.
As the state senator representing the Finger Lakes region, I was extremely pleased to secure $1 million in state assistance for the creation of the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva.
Today, the institute provides important research to better understand the ecology and history of the lakes and supports a variety of projects across the region.
The Finger Lakes Institute helps coordinate the efforts of local governments, lakeshore property owners, organizations, grassroots watershed protection groups, and other regional environmental research centers in protecting the ecology of the Finger Lakes and overseeing development along the lakes.
Environmental science students at the institute conduct research projects in conjunction with local environmental groups.
Currently, research is conducted on a 65-foot research vessel for environmental monitoring of Seneca Lake and a 25-foot pontoon boat, which can be used for research on all of the Finger Lakes.
The institute is developing partnerships with other local colleges and universities to study aquatic ecology and lake issues and further expand research and educational opportunities.
In large part due to the hard work of Congressman Jim Walsh, the Finger Lakes Institute has been successful in establishing links with other regional environmental research centers, such as the Center of Excellence in Environmental Systems at Syracuse University, to ensure the effective utilization of this research.
The Finger Lakes Institute also works with area tourism agencies to effectively market the appeal of the Finger Lakes region. Research conducted at the institute advances and supports revitalization and protection projects across the region. It should be noted that the region accounts for more than $2 billion of the state's $37 billion tourism industry.
It was always clear to me that we needed an entity designed to look at important issues affecting the Finger Lakes, generating important research that will provide the public and private sector with tools to develop solutions to our challenges.
We are now seeing this research being done at the Finger Lakes Institute.
Nozzolio, R-Fayette, is a New York state senator
