Adventures in the Finger Lakes

Finn has joined our team! This chocolate Labrador retriever is vibrant and growing quickly! People break into grins and laughter when they see his energy. Educator Jen Beideck said, “Finn brings happiness.”

As we are beginning to have fun playing in the water, my safety and health concerns regarding water rise once again. Our hearts swell with love, and we leap to recognize dangers.

Catching up with Molly Newman, Program Director for Cayuga Lake Watershed Network should be informative and exciting. We’re very fortunate to have dedicated people with current data regarding the health of our waters. There are many factors that need to be considered when living, visiting or playing in our lakes, streams and bays. Visit CLWN’s site to discover information about HABs in real time and educate yourself about factors affecting Cayuga Lake.

Over twenty people celebrated the Summer Solstice on kayaks on Cayuga’s northern end June 21, 2023. Great Blue Heron, North American Bald Eagle, Red-Winged Blackbirds and Osprey all made appearances. Lily pads in the soft orange light of the setting sun were a calming backdrop. Neat conversations were bubbling up all around, including talk of Cayuga Lake’s Blueway Trail. Visit their site to learn about the blueway and consider purchasing their water proof guide.

Moore Dirty Boots is deepening our commitment to our watershed with long term stewardship plans and current youth leadership activities. It is refreshing to get back to this work. Surveying quietly and beginning cleanup efforts is calming, fun and active! Places within L.O.V.E., (Lake Ontario’s Valued Ecosystems) are of the highest priority. I’m so glad to know my team is ready to go!

Though I kayaked over 100 miles leading Eagle & Osprey tours in a program sponsored by the NYS Canal Corp, I have signed up for a Canalway Challenge! It will be fun to see new spaces and recreate, rather than lead large groups. Learn more about the Canalway Challenge here. Please contact me if you would like to participate in this challenge as part of the Moore Dirty Boots team!

Though we are very Cayuga-centric currently, we’re really looking forward to continuing initiatives to curtail balloon releases and other forms of plastic pollution. We plan to visiting the western Finger Lakes to work with our allies to reduce debris in our watersheds Paper and bamboo bird kites will fly yet!

Choosing sustainable means to celebrate can take time, effort and money, but the rewards are worth the effort. Please remember our choices affect others. Opt to fly special flags or sweep your driveway. Eliminating waste, noise and unnecessary emissions can do us all a world of good!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

MOORE DIRTY BOOTS!

Kristen

Editor’s note: Below photos were taken in Seneca Falls on a spur of the Erie Canal, while approaching the National Women’s Hall of Fame by kayak with a group of Girl Scouts.

Silly pictures above are of kayak tour participants sharing good cheer.

Thanks to all who participate and support our work!