FALL CRUISES – SUNDAYS
Departing from Ithaca Farmers Market Dock at 2:00pm; returning at 4:00pm, unless otherwise noted!
Sept 4 – Labor Day Weekend- no cruise.
Sept. 11: Hydrilla Education & Community Action Cruise
The highly invasive aquatic plant, Hydrilla verticillata, has been discovered in Cayuga Inlet! Members of the newly formed Hydrilla task force will share information on the extent of its occurrence, potential environmental impacts and measures for control. Participants will have a chance to learn how to identify Hydrilla and how to report their observations. Plant samples will be collected from several locations on the lake. MORE INFO ON HYDRILLA – GO TO www.nyis.info!! [use hydrilla image for link]
Sept. 18: Artist Paula Bensadoun, “Lakescapes Near & Far”. Informal art lessons…
Ms. Bensadoun’s background in nature illustration ranges from children’s literature to college texts. She will share techniques for capturing the essence of natural subject matter, and participants will have a chance to practice drawing lake plants, tiny organisms or even lake-scapes. All skill levels are welcome and materials will be provided.
Sept 25: CSI Lake Monitoring Cruise ** Special 3-hour cruise, 2:00-5:00pm!***
Volunteers of the Community Science Institute will demonstrate sampling techniques and share their experiences working to protect streams throughout the region, including Salmon, Trumansburg, Six Mile and Fall Creeks, and the Cayuga Inlet. More info at Community Science Institute website.
Oct. 2: Cornell AUV Team - Mini-sub Demonstration
Cornell’s AUV (Automated Underwater Vehicle) Team will launch its mini-sub, Drekar, from the M/V Haendel to conduct an underwater video survey. Live, streaming video of aquatic plants and other mysteries on the bottom of Cayuga Lake will be available, along with touchable samples.
Oct. 9: Climate Change, Citizen Science & Cayuga Lake
– Join Jennifer Shirk, scientist for Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Communicating Climate Change project
...and learn how ordinary people can participate in extraordinary science projects to help us better understand our world. Participants will also have help with on-going citizen science projects geared toward understanding how climate change is reflected in Cayuga Lake.
Oct. 16: "Stormwater and Cayuga Lake"
When it rains, water flows over roofs, lawns, driveways, roads, sidewalks, and construction sites. As it flows over these surfaces, it picks up fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, pet waste, wildlife waste, sediment and other pollutants. This water, referred to as stormwater, flows into Cayuga Lake carrying all these pollutants. Join Angel Dybas, Resource Conservation Specialist with Tompkins County Soil and Water, for a look at how our community protects the lake through regulation, education and remediation. We will also demonstrate sampling technologies that help determine the source of pollutants in Cayuga.
Oct. 23: Does the Lake REALLY “Turn Over” Each Fall?
…One day this fall I looked out and the lake was all muddy. It was clear the day before. It must have "turned over"! Well, not really. Wells College Prof. Emeritus Tom Vawter will explain what "lake turnover" really is, how we predict it, and why it matters to things that live in lakes. Limnology: the study of inland waters, including Cayuga Lake.
Oct 30: SEASON ENDING CRUISE- Lake Legends & Myths with a mystery guest!
A sampling of the past summer's cruise events, to be revisited in 2012.
(Special cruise times available by charter.)
July 7 – Experiments on the Lake with the ScienCenter!
Special activities and explorations are in store with your (other) favorite all-ages science project in Ithaca!
July 10 – Great American Secchi Dip-In
Join folks across the country, learning the lake assessment technique that everyone can use. How clear do you think the water is, and why does it matter?
July 14 – Lake Plant Survey
We’ll collect plant samples from around the south end of Cayuga. What’s growing down there, and does it belong? We have some beautiful native species in the lake – in ain’t just seaweed!
July 17 – Cayuga Lake Watershed Network Cruise.
Wine, cheese & watersheds- what could be better? Join the Cayuga Watershed Steward for an update on issues, threats & successes around out watershed!
July 21 – LakeScape Art with Paula Bensadoun.
Ms. Bensadoun’s background in nature illustration ranges from children’s literature to college texts. She will share techniques for capturing the essence of natural subject matter, and participants will have a chance to practice drawing lake plants, tiny organisms or even lake-scapes. All skill levels are welcome and materials will be provided.
July 24 – Limnology 101 with Wells College Professor emeritus Tom Vawter.
July 28 – Research on Cayuga Lake Past & Present
Learn about continuing efforts to understand the health of Cayuga Lake with Cornell’s Professor Nelson Hairston, and Colleen Kearns, Dept. of Biology.
July 31 – Family Lake Exploration Day!
Open explorations for all ages.
August 4 – GIAC “Green Team” Summer Showcase.
Join Ithaca teens as they share new skills, research and projects completed during the summer on Cayuga Lake.
August 7 – GIAC “Green Team” Summer Showcase.
Join Ithaca teens as they share new skills, research and projects completed during the summer on Cayuga Lake.
August 11 –Nature Illustration with Jodi Riggs
August 14 - Citizen Lake Monitoring with CSI
Special Time! 2:00pm – 5:00!!
Join volunteers from the Community Science Institute as they conduct their semi-annual lake water quality survey. Learn more about their efforts to protect our rivers & streams throughout the year. This cruise will go all the way to Myers Point!
August 18 - Family Lake Exploration Day!
Open explorations for all ages.
August 21 – Environmental History of Cayuga Lake
…and the Ithaca area from an environmental perspective, with Ithaca College Professor, Michael Smith.
August 25 - Lake Experiments with the ScienCenter!
Explore the truth and fable of our favorite lake legends using science! The Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom will host the Sciencenter for a fun-filled eco-cruise. Kids will get a chance to construct boats out of various materials, see how well they float, and how much weight they can hold before sinking. Hands-on, citizen-science lake monitoring will also be conducted.
August 28 – Nature Illustration w/Paula Bensadoun.
Ms. Bensadoun’s background in nature illustration ranges from children’s literature to college texts. She will share techniques for capturing the essence of natural subject matter, and participants will have a chance to practice drawing lake plants, tiny organisms or even lake-scapes. All skill levels are welcome and materials will be provided.
More information: (607) 697-0166, or floatingclassroom@cayugawatershed.org
