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INTERMUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION
Intermunicipal Cooperation promoting protection of the watershed
December 7, 2011
To Cayuga Lake; Watershed Intermunicipal Organization Member:
Cayuga County
Aurelius(T) We are once again requesting your support for the work of the Cayuga Lake Watershed
Aurora(V) Intermunicipal Organization (I0) to protect our water resources. We continue to seek
Cayuga(V) additional funding and project ideas for implementation of the Cayuga Lake Watershed
Restoration and Protection Plan (RPP). The annual membership is $900 for 2011.
Fleming(T)
Genoa(T) Since the watershed goals were developed, the IO has secured over $1 million for a
Ledyard(T) variety of projects from the NYS Department of State under the Environmental
Scipio(T) Protection Fund. We recently received funding to update the Restoration and
Springport(T) Protection Plan. The goals of that project are to assess changes in priorities and
emerging issues related to the watershed and water quality. We will hold public
Summer Rill(T) meetings in order to hear from YOU on concerns and issues your municipality faces in
Union springs(V) terms of water !resource protection.
Venice(T)
The Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom Committee used $10,000 allocated by the 10 to
Seneca County leverage over $15,000 in additional funds provided by private sponsors. As a result,
Covert(T) science-enrichment lake cruises were provided to 1450 students, representing every
public school district in the watershed, during the year. In addition, nearly 800 students
Fayette(T) are participating in "Trout in the Classroom", raising trout and learning about healthy
Interlaken(V) stream habitats throughout the schoolyear. These programs represent tremendous
Romulus(T) opportunities to support both long-term stewardship of our water resources and high-
Seneca Falls(T) quality, real-world science experiences for students in our region. For specific
Varick(T) information on Floating Classroom services provided to your community, contact
Committee chair, Bill Foster, at floatingclassroomk),cayugawatershed.org.
Tompkins County If you have project ideas in your municipality, we welcome suggestions for future grant
Caroline(T) opportunities.
Cayuga Heights(V)
Dryden He We urge you to appoint a representative if you don't already have one and encourage
your representative to attend meetings. Email notices are sent in advance of the
Freeville(V) meeting. If your representative wishes to receive notices and is not on the email list,
Groton(T) please provide their email to darbv_clwioo vahoo.com. I hope that you will consider
Ithaca(C) both your financial contribution to the 10 and your commitment as active member of
Ithaca(T) the I0. Your expertise, energy, and time are necessary for us to accomplish the tasks
described in the Restoration and Protection Plan.
Lansing(V)
Lansing(T) Sincerely,
Newfield(T) Darby Kiley
Ulysses(T) Coordinator
i
A Project of the Cayuga Lake
Watershed Intermunicipal
CAYUGA LAKE Organization
FLOATING CLASSROOM
PROJECT
2010 Annual Report
Prepared by the Floating Classroom Committee of the
Cayuga Lake Watershed Inter-Municipal Organization
www floatingclassroom cayugawatershed.org
Our Mission is to provide a regional resource for education, engaging all communities in
the future of Cayuga Lake and water resources, in general.
The Floating Classroom offers educational programs and a platform for collaborative
learning to all Finger,Lakes communities. Floating Classroom "Eco-Cruise"and "Trout in
the Classrooms"programs combine science and sense-of-place to support academic
enrichment, environmental literacy and stronger personal relationships with the waterways
that define our communities.
77
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cep
y
Your 1 f
2
Greetings From The Floating Classroom Committee...
FDespite the economic climate of 2010, the
Floating Classroom enjoyed a quietlyr: `
successful year- expanding our public "eco-
cruise" schedule and extra-curricular youth
programming, while maintaining enrichment *
programming for every school district in the
Cayuga Watershed. 2011 promises to be
another challenging year from a financial
standpoint, but we believe the need for R �
engaging, open-to-all educational o pportunities :{ ��' �11� ii t� ."1211111111
on our lake remains as compelling as ever. ISO?
Our communities face unprecedented
challenges as we manage the development of
regional natural gas shale and struggle to
understand the growing value of fresh water on z --
a global scale. Our students face new The 32-passenger M/V IHaendel,home of the Floating Classroom.
challenges as school budgets are slashed across the state. Whether the focus; is life-science for 71h
graders or conversations about the economic impact of invasive species for adults, Floating
Classroom programs are intended to build both knowledge and direct experience, preparing students
for academic achievement and empowering community-members to share ideas with confidence.
We believe, as well, that our philosophy of collaboration will be our strength as we work to make the
Floating Classroom as a cost-efficient, regional platform for science, math, technology and cultural
education in 2011. We wish to thank all of those individuals and organizations 'who joined us over the
past year, recognizing common threads between their respective interests or missions, and ours.
Here's to another year of educating for the future of our lake and our communities! - Bill Foster, Chair,
Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom Steering Committee.
o o`g"'" ""° "�' ""g'°"B"COOP" ""°a9feQ^ "$Ty, Building A Watershed-Wide Educational Platform
7y �Sr Auk
c
The Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom Project was established i
n
. .. . i 2003 as an education/public outreach
h project of the Cayuga Lake
Watershed Inter-Municipal Organization, or"loll, in keeping with
a, Yfpr
w the recommendations of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Restoration
and Protection Plan. The Plan was signed in 2001 by 44
geographically and culturally diverse communities, who recognized
their common interest in the stewardshipCayuga of Ca Y g Like.
Today, the Project provides educational cruisers aboard the M/V
Haendal for over 2000 students and adults each year, representing
every community in the Watershed. The Floating Classroom also
coordinates "Trout in the Classroom" conservation programs for
nearly 800 students at 12 schools. Keeping these programs "afloat"
d Cathmm N—Wd mn
requires the services of several volunteer steering committees, a
year-round program director and trained instructors. Keeping them
� affordable requires us to manage the Community-supported
q g y pported
"Watershed Education" and "Community Access" funds, to ensure
that no one is priced out of the program.
With these pieces in place, the Floating Classroom Project has
become a cost-effective educational platform, offering a variety of program formats suitable for schools,
community-groups and municipalities in the Cayuga Watershed, and, indeed, throughout the region. This
report provides a brief summary of our accomplishments, and an outline of our priorities for the coming
year.
3
Program Overview
The Floating Classroom Project offers a suite of educational and
recreational programs for both youths and adults on Cayuga Lake.
These programs are conducted aboard the research vessel MV
Haendel, which is owned by Tiohero Tours, LLC, a fully-licensed
commercial vessel operator, subject to regular inspection by the
{ US Coast Guard.
• Lake Cruise programs for schools are offered at locations
_ around Cayuga Lake. Students assess water quality and
biology (plankton, fish and plants), and learn about the human
}_
and natural history of the lake. Supplemental art, stream
_ ecology and team-building programs are also offered to
rous
accommodate larger 9 groups.
i ' "Water Wizards" and "Cayuga Explorers" programs bring
youths from different communities together in a non-
school/after-school setting for powerful, multiple-trip
- experiences on the lake.
Floating Classroom instructor Public Eco-Cruises are offered May —October for all-ages,
prepares students to collect plankton and feature guest presentations on a weekly basis.
The Floating Classroom also coordinates Trout In The Classroom". Table1. 2010 Program Participant Rates
With support from the Leon Chandler Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Cnaises Trout
from private donors, participating schools receive cold-water aquarium Elementary 390 283
systems, suitable for raising and studying fingerling trout over the
school year. The schools are encouraged to adopt local streams, as Middle School 661 129
they release their surviving trout each spring. Trout In The High School 234 120
Classroom" offers a flexible and yet powerful platform for learning on College Age 280 13
many levels. It fosters personal connections with nature and provides Adult 496 9
a ready-made platform for scientists, conservationists and other Total 2061 554
community members to work with students. Details and information on
how to support this program can be found at
fin erlakestic.blogspot.cam.
To learn more, visit our blog-sites!
For happenings on the lake - FloatingClass room.blogspot-corn
For info on classroom activities - FinaerlakesTIC.bIoaSD0t.00m
Accomplishments in 2010
Having made substantial gains in programming during the prior two years, the Floating Classroom Steering
Committee focused on equity of services and community outreach during 2010. The Committee established
several priorities for development, outlined in the box to the right, and realized
a good deal of success in addressing them over the course of the year. 2010 Project Priorities
Programs for All Watershed Schools: Schools have recognized the Floating
Classroom as a valuable tool for science and math learning, and have made ✓ Continued Service for All
substantial investments to enable their students to participate. Not all districts Watershed Districts
have equal means, unfortunately, and the Floating Classroom's Watershed
Education Fund ensures that we can provide equal opportunities for youths in ✓ Low-lncomeAcademic
all communities. Thanks to contributions from 10 member communities and Enrichment
from private donors, we were once again able to honor all requests, and
deliver programs to students from every school district in our 1000 square ✓; Enhanced Community
mile watershed. We are particularly pleased to welcome the entire 7 h grade Outreach.&Support
frorn South Seneca Middle School to the program this year. We hope to see
this level of participation from every district in coming years. Providing V New Program Options
equitable opportunities throughout our Watershed will remain our priority.
Accomplishments in 2010- Continued. 4
Equity Beyond the School: F
Y
The Floating Classroom also took steps during 2010 to
address equity outside of the school environment. We
believe the Floating Classroom is well-suited to provide
academic enrichment experiences, as well as fun, in afterI mom
-
school and summer camp settings; and this is a particularly
important service to extend to youth in low-income `ir •-t.
communities. Working with youth service providers who are
already established in these communities, we sought `"
guidance to create Floating Classroom programs to fit
community needs. As a result, kids served by the Greater
Ithaca Activities Center(GIAC), Tompkins County Rural
Youth Services, Southside Community Center and other
services enjoyed the lake more than ever, and even got to Fish Sampling at Myers Point. This 150' seine
canoe Cayuga Inlet. Youths also received free community net, provided by Jeremy Dietrich, provided a
access coupons so that they could invite friends and family fantastic new activity for summer programs.
to share their Floating Classroom experiences during public cruises.
More Public Cruises & More Public Access: In pursuit of increased
`. . community outreach, we doubled our,eco-cruise schedule, to include
�F both Sundays and Thursdays. Thanks to an abundance of support
from local experts, the cruises featured presentations ranging from art
to ornithology; from myths to mini-subs, and we look forward to
continuing our expanded schedule in 2011. The cruises attract both
IF_ local and tourist participants, providing, an opportunity for insight into
perceptions of the health of Cayuga Lake (Table 2.)
Additionally, to ensure that all segments of our community would be
nea3°°,°o,Ws' able to participate in public eco-cruises, we distributed community
access coupons to a number of community organizations, so they
* ? ` could make them available"no-questions-asked" in their offices and at
°`"°' r- community events. Some 200 coupons were returned in 2010 and we
yx(F°i Ful (,nwart,fl: expect better usage rates during 2011.1
Tub°°mcssds
By Paula sensadoun Program Sustainability— Building Hun2gD Capital: During 2010, we
sought to raise awareness of Floating Classroom programs via a
Art Cruises by Camille Doucet, broader public presence. The outcomes of that work became
Paula Bensadoun & Louisa Sandvik apparent, as inquiries and participation levels began to increase.
offered a new way to see the lake. Perhaps most importantly, however, we were fortunate to welcome
many new faces to the network of people behind the scenes. Along
with these new faces came new ideas and new energy, and these may be our imost important accomplishments
of the year. Three new working groups were formed,
tasked with overseeing outreach, programming and
financial concerns for the Floating Classroom Steering
Committee. We are very glad to have everyone
aboard, and look for great things in 2011.
What Statement Best Charac6er m the Lake?
2008 "
„26 2009
ReaPomes) Re¢Parees) s� � N.Tye -.y.
Healthy 320 19% 370/ IOU
Improving 27% 29%
s ?
Unhealthy 50/. 179/.
Declining 14% 19% 29/o
Don't Know 22% 16% 25% "Trout in The Classroom" Students release brown
Table 2. Polls over three years show inconsistency;perhaps a trout to Fall Creek. "riC" expanded to 12 schools
result of issue-specific media coverage during 2010, and three schools are testing the viability
of native brook trout for the program.
5
Project Financing
The Floating Classroom Steering Committee oversees the Table 3. 2010 Operating Budget
allocations of funding for the program, and directs the use of the Cayuga Lake WS"10" $ 13,000.00
Watershed Education and Community Access funds to ensure that Other Local Gov't $ 10,250.00
programs are affordable for all watershed applicants. These funds Grants $ 19,861.00
are directed to support planning, instructors, equipment, and boat Small/Private Donations $ 9,729.00
charters. Additionally, the Committee works with the program Schools& Clients $ 33,625.00
director to oversee the disposition of monies associated with Volunteer Services (Est.) $ 10,000.00
program develop grants and other monies. Overall, no more than
10% of income is directed to general operating expenses or Total Budget $ 96,465.00
overhead, and this is made possible by our Project partners, who
provide technical expertise, equipment loans, and educational materials on a regular basis. Thus, the Floating
Classroom remains a relatively small, streamlined, organization from a financial stand-point, allocating nearly all
available funds to directly support educational programs. With a total budget of just under$100,000, we
provided education services to over 2500 watershed residents during 2010.
Scholarship-Supported Cruises for Watershed Clients
2010 Watershed Access Recipients:
The Watershed Education Fund is our largest budget
Dryden Central Schools component, and provides matching funds for watershed
Groton Central Schools schools and community groups on a sliding scale. With
Ithaca City Schools ship-board cruise programming valued at$300/hour during
Lansing High School 2010, scholarships provided about 45% of fees for public
Newfield Middle School schools. Notably, the average cost-share rate actually
South Seneca Schools declined from previous years, despite tightening school
Seneca Falls Middle School budgets. This fund depends upon annual membership dues
Southern Cayuga Middle .,school
Trumansburg High School paid by municipalities to the Cayuga Watershed
EA Clune Montessori School, Ithaca Intermunicipal Organization (10"). The aggregation of
Immaculate Conception School, Ithaca municipal funding through the 10 membership process early
Peachtown School, Aurora in the year allows the Floating Classroom Committee to
attract additional contributions. In fact, during 2010,just
*Contact the Floating Classroom for detailed funding information. $13,000 in 10 funding helps us leverage an additional
$12,000 to support watershed schools. This arrangement
------ - - - --- also helps school districts plan at least basic programs each
year, and several municipalities actually have raised their contribution level to support enhanced programs for
their residents. Our Watershed Access Fund stood at roughly $25,000 in 2010, and is anticipated to grow by
10% in 2011.
Alternatively Funded Proc r� ams
Along with our Watershed school cruises, there are several other areas of programming, each of which depends
upon specific sponsors and cooperative arrangements. Our Community Access Fund is anchored by support
from the Park Foundation, in Ithaca, NY, and is allocated to support outreach and programming for low-income
communities. Additionally, Trout in the Classroom is supported by specific grants and volunteer service
contributions. Given that the budget period for Trout in the Classroom reflects the school year, rather that the
calendar year, it is presented separately in Figure 2.
FC Cruise Programs 2010 Trout In The Classroom 2010-11
$69,665 Total 12 classes,$27,000
I
375O,5X O,OX
4,1".6% I�
■".&*—1&paten 0,0% ■
� .q �K Sctoak •cie,-dwk,481M
MW-Ourer 1[1;000,37X 6vrt-Omar
14 1 Gems
- r,:_Grantq � ]LIS00,397L
7T�1[y Wnp Omafi g j 'r loop OureUora
]8% kidwidual 0.aft._ 4J
Yi-Ifd&YOMn[aer
i Z°°°"`
Fiqure 2.
Figure 1. j
6
k �rox7-om� '
t
F
Li
Looking south on Cayuga Lake.
Looking Ahead...
Based on feedback from teachers and other clients, we know there is a nearly 100% desire to return for
programs in 2011. Thus, we hope to maintain a consistent level of programmiing with schools in the Cayuga
Watershed. Additionally, we believe there is the potential for significantly increased demand for programs in
2011 from schools, community groups and even tourists, coming from beyond the Cayuga Watershed
boundaries. With education and youth services funding down across the State, however, actual demand will
only stretch as far as funding will allow, regardless of interest. Generating additional income and other forms of
support, therefore, will likely be our greatest challenge in 2011.
Priorities for 2011
Service to Low-Income Communities: The Floating
Classroom will work to develop relevant and practical ,
1 x
services for urban and rural low-income communities
during 2011. Our programs will be created with guidance
from individuals and organizations working directly withrj
these communities. Our focus areas, pending their input,
will include distributing community access coupons to
encourage public cruises participation, using the Floating ,.
Classroom to strengthen existing programs, and
encouraging communication and scholarship. The
measure of our success will be the extent to which
participation levels increase within these communities.
Information Technology & Collaborative Learning: In keeping with our goal to become a regional educational
resource, the Floating Classroom will incorporate new technology to improve the value of our programs. One
avenue for accomplishing this objective will be the use of mobile Internet-based communications to support
communication between groups on the boat and groups in remote locations. We will also work to improve the
use of data collected on the lake to support curriculum requirements in school. Measures of success will include
teacher/client feedback and the rate of use of IT-related tools.
Continued Watershed-Wide Education Pro rammin : While we have yet to achieve our true goal of serving
every student in the Watershed at least once during their middle school or high school years, the Floating
Classroom has provided programs for every public school district in the Watershed over each of the past two
years. We will make every effort to maintain this milestone, and continue toward the broader goal.
Strategy for Financial Sustainabiliy: As noted elsewhere, the financial environment in which the Floating
Classroom operates is changing rapidly, and requires that we adapt accordingly. During 2011, the Steering
Committee will develop a strategy and updated business plan for the Floating Classroom. Two aspects of this
{- plan will include increased potential for private and community
donations to our Watershed Education or Community Access
-.. funds, and increased income from tourist-oriented programming.
Fun! A great deal of effort goes into keeping the Floating
Classroom afloat- but when it's all said and done, we've of to
r. 9
have some fun! Nothing beats being on the water, and we look
forward to new experiences in 2011 and more of the best from
prior years.
We hope you will join us in making these goals a reality!
The Importance of Working Together...
The Floating Classroom Project offers a unique Floating Classroom Community
learning experience for Cayuga watershed residents of Supporters - 2010
all ages, and an attraction foie visitors to the Finger Cayuga Lake Watershed Network
Lakes region. The Project could not exist, however, City of Ithaca Water Department
without collaboration and partnership with the Community Science Institute
following organizations and individuals. We thank Cornell Cooperative Extension
Cornell University, Lab of Ecology &
them for their time, energy and funding during 2010. Evolutionary Biology
Dryden Recreation Department
Greater Ithaca Activities Center
Cayuga Lake Floatiing Classroom Ithaca Area Stormwater Coalition
Steering Committee Ithaca Youth Bureau
Lansing Parks
Bull Foster, Program Director The Leopold Family
Thomas Vawter, Outreach Chair Prof. Nelson Hairston
Finger Lake Regional Parks
Colleen McLinn, Program Development Chair Park Foundation
Seneca Meadows, Inc.
Jeff f=urst, Financial Planning Chair Sheldrake Point Vineyards&Winery
Southside Community Center
Dennis Montgomery Carroll Cook Tompkins County Rural Youth Services
Tompkins Co. Water Resources Council
Lynn Leopold Colleen Kearns The Town of Newfield
Jeffrey 'Werner Thea Martin TRIAD Foundation
Trout Unlimited, Leon Chandler Chapter
Alicia Plotkin Jeremy Dietrich US Environmental Protection Agency
Wells College
Mark Clookey Jodi Riggs -----
The Member Municipalities of the Cayuga
Jill Cohen Hilary Lambert Lake Intermunicipal Organization
*Committee meeting minutes available upon request. -and-
Educators Across the Region!
Thank You! From A11 Of Us...
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Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom Pro ject
FIt's Your Lake- Get To Know ItI
x
F 1 � :Ali .' ' .
Contact us to Volunteer, or Donate to the Floating Classiroom Scholarship Fund!
On the web: floatingclassroom.cayugawatersheti.org.
floatingclassroom.blogspot.com
Email; floatingclassroom@cayugawateirshed.org
Call: Tiohero Tours, at(607) 697-0166.
Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom Project
435 Old Taughannock Blvd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
To
Mr./Mrs has sent you a copy of the 2010
Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom Project ,Annual Report