Community-Based Remediation of Agricultural Runoff (Seneca Lake, NY)

Advisor:Nan Crystal Arens Associate Professor, Department of Geoscience, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY
Other Mentors: none
Primary Activities:Site plan development, stakeholder meetings, monitoring plan development, propagation of plants, preparation of educational materials, preparation of an assessment plan.

Project Summary:Solutions to environmental problems succeed when there is broad community participation.  This project tackles runoff, particularly associated with storm water, within the Seneca Lake watershed.  We will design a community-centered plan for the creation of vegetated riparian buffers to ameliorate runoff contamination.  We are currently developing two sites: One on the campus of Hobart & William Smith Colleges that handles storm water runoff from a large commercial area, and a second that handles runoff from a property owned by the Geneva Historical Society.  The student will 1) work with site managers to develop a site plan that will include a map and elevation of the site and a detailed list of what will be planted and where; 2) work with Citizen Science partners in the Finger Lakes Institute to develop a monitoring plan that will include baseline water quality analysis and ongoing monitoring to measure effectiveness of buffer plantings; 3) work with Seneca Roots & Shoots to produce the plants needed to execute the site plan; 4) develop educational programs for all community partners that will enhance their knowledge about the principles of vegetation buffers and increase their investment in environmental remediation; and 5) develop assessment tools that will measure the effectiveness of community participation in this project.

Skills/Courses Recommended: Strong reading and writing skills.  Good interpersonal, communication, organization, and independent problem-solving skills.  Background in botany and/or landscape architecture and/or education helpful.
Anticipated Conference Presentation(s):Finger Lakes Institute Research Conference, Roots & Shoots Youth Summit, Society for Ecosystem Restoration Mid-Atlantic Conference.