Lake George Watershed Lake Steward Program End of Season ...

Program Description
DRAFT
The Lake George Watershed Lake Steward Program is an aquatic invasive species spread
prevention and education program on Lake George. Lake Stewards are hired to work at
marinas and boat launches during the summer. Lake George is a large lake, with around
20 marinas, and various yacht clubs, public launches, and many hotels which let customers
launch boats. Lake Stewards cannot cover every entry to the lake at all times. However,
they can work at some of the high traffic launches and help prevent introductions at those
locations, as well as help spread awareness. The Lake Stewards provide boaters with
educational information about the threats of aquatic invasive species that are ecologically
and economically harmful to the waters of Lake George and other waterways. Stewards help
stop the introduction and transport of invasive species via boats and trailers by conducting
visual inspections of boats and removing and identifying any plant or animal material found.
Stewards also interview boaters to find out which body of water their boat was last in and
if they have taken any spread prevention steps before arriving to launch. The Lake Steward
Program is a crucial step in protecting the water quality of Lake George and preventing the
spread of invasive species between waterbodies throughout the Lake Champlain Basin and
the Northeast.
Staff and Training
4 Lake Stewards were hired for the summer of 2008 as well as 1 Assistant Coordinator.
Since the Program Coordinator had other work duties besides the Lake Steward Program,
once the Lake Stewards were trained and working, the Assistant Coordinator oversaw their
daily activities and was their key point of contact. Bi-weekly staff meetings allowed for
constant communication and adjustments throughout the season as needed.
Training began in mid-May with 2 days at Paul Smith’s College. We joined the Adirondack
Watershed Institute’s training for their stewards. The Lake Champlain Basin Program
(LCBP) stewards also come for a day of joint training as well. All the stewards had a chance
to meet stewards from other programs and find out about those programs. The stewards
learned about interpretation techniques, types of boats, invasive plant identification, and
other related topics. Staff from the LCBP, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, NYS
Department of Environmental Conservation, Adirondack Park Agency and Paul Smith’s
College was on hand to cover a variety of topics for training.
Once back in Lake George, training continued at the LGA for the rest of the week. The
stewards learned specifics about Lake George and the invasives found in the lake, as well
as the lay of the land. Staff from NYS DEC, the Darrin Fresh Water Institute and the Lake
George Park Commission helped out by covering various topics with the stewards.
The stewards started work on Memorial Day weekend. They worked in pairs for the first 2
weeks until they were comfortable, then they were split up and worked alone for the rest of
the season.
Lake George Watershed Lake Steward Program End of Season Report 2008