The Adirondack Lakes Alliance will hold its 5th annual Symposium at Paul Smith’s College on Thursday, August 1, with the focus on Harmful Algal Blooms. The theme is Preparing for Challenges: Tools, Resources and Coordination.

Environmental scientists will discuss Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Speakers will provide an overview of HABs across the state, the steps that NYS is taking to predict and reduce their occurrence, and the types of monitoring that lake and river associations can conduct to assess the potential for blooms. DEC Deputy Commissioner for Natural Resources Judy Drabicki will be the keynote speaker.

In addition to Drabicki, Rebecca Gorney, PhD, who since 2015 has been the coordinator of one of the most robust harmful algal bloom state monitoring programs in the country at the DEC central office in Albany, and Dave Matthew, PhD, who serves as Director of the Upstate Freshwater Institute, will share their expertise.

The four afternoon Partner Sessions will include “New Tools for AIS Surveillance,” “Making the Most of Your Water Quality Report,” “Town Officials Dealing with Water Quality Issues” and “What’s Happening in Your Watershed and Why it’s Important to You.”

The symposium is intended for lake, river and watershed association members, state and local officials, environmental students, and anyone interested in water quality and their watershed. Registration, $25 including lunch, is available at the door. Registration information is also available online.