Regional Lake Communities Symposium Series Continues

Press release

WCSU to host three virtual events in 2025 as popular
Regional Lake Communities Symposium series continues

DANBURY, Connecticut — In continuation of the series that began in 2019, the Western Connecticut State University Department of Biology, in collaboration with the Connecticut Federation of Lakes and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP), will host three virtual 2025 Regional Lake Communities Symposia: “Monitoring Water Quality in Our Lakes” at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 6; “Volunteers Help Assess Connecticut Fisheries” at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3; and “The Jefferson Project” at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1. To register, visit https://westconn.tfaforms.net/217/

The three sessions will be hosted by WCSU Limnology Instructor Larry Marsicano, Brawley Consulting Group LLC, and WCSU Professor of Biology Dr. Theodora Pinou. There will be several opportunities for audience discussion and Q&A at each event.

The Oct. 6 discussion about “Monitoring Water Quality in Our Lakes” will include James Fischer, Connecticut Federation of Lakes (CFL). The CFL is a statewide organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing Connecticut’s lakes for recreation, ecology, and local communities, and is known as “A Voice for Our Lakes.” Also speaking will be Mary Becker, Supervising Environmental Analyst, Water Monitoring and Assessment Program, CT DEEP; and Melissa Czarnowski, Volunteer Monitoring Coordinator, Water Monitoring and Assessment Program, CT DEEP. They will discuss the Connecticut Lake Watch Volunteer Program & Web-Based Lake Reporting Application. Finally, four lake communities that have integrated volunteer lake monitoring into their lake management will provide updates: Jeff Arpin, from the Amston Lake Association; Keith Suchy, from the Alexander Lake Association; Peter Neely, from the Twin Lakes Association; and Henry Moore, from the Woodridge Lake Property Owners Association.

On Nov. 3, the topic will be “Volunteers Help Assess Connecticut Fisheries.” Meghan Lally, Environmental Analyst III, CT DEEP, will discuss “An Introduction to PFAS and What Our Lake Fish Can Tell Us About the Presence of PFAS in Our Water.” PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of synthetic chemicals that don’t break down in the environment or the human body. Next, Mike Beauchene, Supervising Fisheries Biologist, Bureau of Natural Resources/Fisheries Division, CT DEEP, will address “The Trophy Fish Award Program and Fish Management in Connecticut.” Finally, Andrew Ransom, Fisheries Biologist, CT DEEP, Fisheries Division, Trail Cameras and Anglers, will help evaluate the status of fisheries in Connecticut.

On Dec. 1, “The Jefferson Project” will be the focus of discussion. Anthony P. Praino, WCSU Atmospheric and Climate Sciences Adjunct Instructor, will provide “An Overview of the Jefferson Project.” He will be joined by Vincent Moriarty, Senior Research Scientist, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, who will elaborate on “Jefferson Project and Harmful Algal Blooms.” Following an audience Q&A, WestConn Professor of Biology Dr. Theodora Pinou will deliver closing remarks and next steps.

The symposia are free, and the public is invited to join in via WebEx. Registration is required at https://westconn.tfaforms.net/217/. A custom link will be sent via email to pre-registrants on the day of the event.