(Provided photo)

PAUL SMITHS — Registration is now open for the Adirondack Lakes Alliance symposium, which will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5.

The 7th annual event will be held at Paul Smith’s College and there is a $25 fee to register, which includes lunch.

Attendees will receive an update from Dr. Dan Kelting, executive director of the Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute, on the progress of the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force. Also featured is Chris Mikolajczyk, the current president of the North American Lake Management Society and senior aquatic ecologist at PrincetonHydro. Mikolajczyk will present about the benefits to lake associations from developing a comprehensive lake management plan.

There will be a resource fair featuring regional organizations and agencies and a series of small group presentations focusing on three key topics. The first covers aquatic invasive species management tools including herbicide treatment and details about the new state Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention Certification Program. The second topic is about on-site wastewater systems on our lake shores, specifically looking at impacts and solutions. The final topic will discuss community education and training resources for lake association members, specifically engaging youth, residents and other members of the public. All attendees will have the opportunity to attend all three sessions.

The event is open to all members of the public. Registration details are available online adirondacklakesalliance.org/annual-conference-2022.html.

“This event is geared toward lake associations in the Adirondack Park but is really for anyone who has a connection with Adirondack waters and wants to learn more about watershed issues and solutions,” said Scott Ireland, ALA’s Executive Director. “Whether you’re a waterfront homeowner, a recreationist, or simply appreciate the importance of clean water, you will learn something new at the symposium and connect with other people who care deeply about our waterways.”

This year’s theme is theme is “Coming Together for the Good of Our Lakes” and is the first in-person ALA gathering in more than two years since the pandemic started.

“It is our hope that people will leave the symposium with stronger and more meaningful connections with other lake association members around the region and additional tools to help protect our Adirondack waterbodies,” Ireland added.