Genesee RiverWatchMallards Dairy Streambank Restoration Project Closeout Report
Thanks to the commitment of Mallards Dairy and their enthusiasm for this project it was successfully completed in the spring of 2018. It represents a demonstration of the efficacy of applying bioengineering techniques in streambank restoration. The success of this first streambank restoration project laid the groundwork for future projects. We have completed another similar project in 2019 to similarly stabilize 1,800 feet of river bank at Edelweiss Farms and have two more on the books for 2020. This work totals to 7,700 linear feet of streambank restoration.
2019 October Newsletter
Welcome! It has been a busy spring and summer for Genesee RiverWatch staff and volunteers including our annual Summit, tree planting and on-the-river cruises and paddles.
We have also been actively planning for next year with initiatives that include streambank restoration, on-the river events and a recreational map of the River. We invite you to take a few minutes and learn more about the work of Genesee RiverWatch. As always, feel free to contact us about anything river-related and how you might get involved.
Sincerely,
Mike Haugh, President, Board of Directors
George Thomas, Executive Director
Edelweiss Farms Streambank Restoration Complete
The work to stabilize 1,980 feet of streambank near the Village of Fillmore, NY is complete. This $284K project was supported by a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The project stabilized the bank and established a riparian buffer. As a result of this effort, .67 acres of valuable farmland will be preserved annually and 192 tons of sediment will no longer have to be dredged from the river each year. Thank you to all the volunteers who came to plant trees on two Saturdays in June!
Cruise into the Lower Genesee River Gorge
Join Genesee RiverWatch on an exclusive cruise of the Lower Genesee River Gorge with experts on the Flora-Fauna and the History of the River. Guests will board the Harbor Town Belle and be treated to a view of the River seen only by a few. We will go upriver about 5 miles from the Port of Rochester to the 104 Bridge into an area that feels like a wilderness all within just a short distance of downtown Rochester. Tom Snyder of the Seneca Park Zoo will be with us to talk about the flora and fauna of the lower River Gorge as we pass marshes, wetlands, sheer cliffs and dense forest. Tom Brewer, Marine Program Chair of the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Society, an expert on the history of the River will explain past and present influences of industry and the city’s history.
There are a few tickets left for our Thursday, June 20th cruise that is happening in just 2 days! Or, you can plan ahead for our August 18th cruise.
The Thursday, June 20th cruise runs from 5:30-8:30pm. The Sunday, August 18th cruise runs from 3:00pm to 6pm. A buffet dinner will be served onboard. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to board.
Tickets are $35 for adults / $20 for children under 12 and includes buffet dinner. There will be a cash bar. Tickets are limited, so get yours soon!
2019 Basin Summit
Genesee RiverWatch hosted its 6th Annual Genesee River Basin Summit on May 7, 2019 at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The Summit topic was “A Report to the Community”. Regional experts provided updates on initiatives to improve water quality and connect people to the river. Topics included:
- Reporting and Planning
- Access and Recreation
- Restoration
- Outreach and Education.
We had 105 attendees including 19 presenters representing a wide variety of Genesee River basin stakeholders. They were impressed with the breadth and variety of projects and initiatives being pursued in the basin to improve water quality and use of the river. Several people said they also appreciated hearing from such a diverse group of presenters.
Attendees expressed interest in future workshops on streambank restoration and river access; and in hearing from a panel of elected officials.
Agenda
Presentations
2019 March Newsletter
Welcome! As spring approaches, we are excited to report on progress of several initiatives and announce our activities for this year. Registration is open for our 6th Annual Genesee River Basin Summit, and planning is underway for tree planting at our lastest streambank restoration project and summer-fall events on the river.
Be sure to stay tuned for further details and contact us if interested in supporting our work through membership or volunteer efforts.
Sincerely,
Mike Haugh, President, Board of Directors
George Thomas, Executive Director
2018 Fall Newsletter
Welcome! As 2018 comes to a close, we are looking back over a year filled with progress while actively planning for the next. In reading this newsletter, we hope you get a sense of the advancements we’ve made and an appreciation for the growing number of people joining us in our work.
We offer a special thank-you to our staff, volunteers, members – new and old – and to our growing list of supporters for helping further our vision of a healthy and sustainable Genesee River ecosystem.
Sincerely,
Mike Haugh, President, Board of DirectorsGeorge Thomas, Executive Director
2018 Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2018 Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Excellence Award winners. The Awards recognize individuals, organizations and projects that have made significant contributions to the Genesee RiverWatch Mission. The awards were presented at the Genesee River Bash on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Dr. Richard A. Young is a Distinguished Service Professor of Geological Sciences at SUNY Geneseo. Dr. Young supports Genesee RiverWatch’s mission through his lifetime of work contributing to understanding the glacial history, geomorphology, erosion, sediment transport and groundwater patterns of the Genesee River valley. Dr. Young freely provides his geologic expertise to assist local scientific and environmental organizations and individuals and is Vice President of Science for the Rochester Committee for Scientific Information (RCSI).
Juliana Lanz is our youngest award winner. Julia is a 5th grader (age 10) who loves living things and our environment and takes action to support the causes she believes in. After attending the Genesee River Bash last year, Juliana was so intrigued by the story of the lake sturgeon restoration program presented by Dr. Jeff Wyatt that she prepared a school paper on her own – that wasn’t a homework assignment – then presented it to her 4th grade class. Juliana also decided she wanted to contribute to Genesee RiverWatch. After some consideration, she set up a table to sell lemonade on behalf of Genesee RiverWatch. The lemonade stand was very successful as she wound up earning $60, which she donated to Genesee RiverWatch!
Sara Scott is the Program Development Specialist for Rochester’s Department of Recreation and Youth Services. Under Sara’s guidance, the City hosts monthly guided paddle events on the Genesee River from Seth Green Island to Rochester’s Harbor. Most of the individuals attending these paddle events do not have the equipment necessary to explore the river on their own. Many also lack the paddling skills to feel confident undertaking such a trip and, thus, would never do so. Sara manages all the logistics and provides guides skilled in paddling and knowledgeable of river lore. By organizing these events, Sara has developed a mechanism to “connect people to the river”.
Chris Widmaier is an experienced science educator in the Rochester City School District who has taught at Wilson Magnet High School for four years and World of Inquiry School for nine years. Chris’s work as an educator focuses on deeper learning, teacher leadership and student empowerment in and out of the classroom. Chris brings those skills and leadership to his work with Genesee RiverWatch’s Aquatic Educator Network where he is encouraging and helping educators and students to personally experience the beauty of the Genesee River and become committed to its future. Chris is currently studying Management at RIT in the Saunders College of Business with the goal of creating a place for everyone to develop deeper connections with their world and those around them.
Genesee River Basin Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Plan Published
Genesee RiverWatch developed the Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Plan for the Genesee River Basin by combining the work of others with their own studies and significant public input. The plan leverages the success we have had with defining and implementing streambank restoration projects on the Upper Basin of the Genesee River watershed. The Plan calls for an approach that works to define and implement projects that can readily be agreed to while maintaining efforts to attain sustainable funding to complete the Plan. The Plan will implement sediment and erosion control projects with the largest impact on reducing suspended solids and nutrients in the Genesee River Basin. The initial focus of this plan through 2022 will be on defining and implementing the following:
- Streambank restoration (SBR) projects on the main stem in the Upper Basin.
- Selected SBR and Agricultural best management practices (Ag BMP) projects in the Canaseraga Creek sub-watershed.
- SBR and Ag BMP projects on the top-priority minor tributaries in the Upper Basin.
- Ag BMP projects on the top-priority gullies on the main stem in the Middle Basin
2018 Summer Newsletter
Welcome! In the first half of 2018, the staff and volunteers of Genesee RiverWatch have been busy working to achieve our vision of a healthy and sustainable Genesee River ecosystem. From educational outreach to tree planting a lot has already happened in 2018. We invite you to read this newsletter, visit our website, attend an event and contribute in any way you choose.
Sincerely,
Mike Haugh, President, Board of Directors
George Thomas, Executive Director