CHAUTAUQUA - Chautauqua Lake's fish and the organizations protecting Chautauqua Lake are taking center stage this week at Chautauqua Institution.
More than 20 organizations came together on Sunday to address water issues, including availability, conservation and health concerns, during the Water Expo in Bestor Plaza at the institution.
The expo brought non-profit, government and community organizations from throughout the area in order to give demonstrations and educate the public on issues addressing surface water needs. The expo included an aquarium with fish from Chautauqua Lake as well as the Chautauqua County Water Emergency Team Dive Rescue unit.
Article Photos
Visitors to the Water Expo at Chautauqua Institution look at some of the varieties of fish found in Chautauqua Lake.
P-J photos by Ryan Atkins
Among the 18 organizations on hand for the expo included the Jamestown Audubon Society, Department of Environmental Conservation, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and Chautauqua Lake Association. The Water Expo is just the start of a week to learn more about water issues, with Chautauqua Lake serving as a prime example for watersheds worldwide.
Throughout the course of "Water Matters" week, the BTG Club will offer lake walks in conjunction with the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy.
The Strohl Art Center will also host an exhibition of selected work from National Geographic photojournalist Brian Skerry. Other events include daily lectures by speakers including Enric Sala, explorer-in-residence at National Geographic, Sandra Postel, founder and director of the Global Water Policy Project, and Dennis Dimick, executive editor of National Geographic.
Special sessions will be held throughout the week. From 9 to 10:30 a.m. today through Friday in Hultquist 101, Jane Conroe and Deb Naybor will host Water: Possibly The World's Most Valuable Resource. The course will teach participants the limitations of the world's water supply and help foster understanding of contamination through experiments. Conroe and Naybor will also discuss the difficulty of managing water resources, with Chautauqua Lake as a model. The course costs $22 for the first session and $88 for the entire week.
Jeff Diers, Chautauqua Lake Watershed coordinator, and Fred Hitzhusen will lead Ecologic and Economic Assessment of Chautauqua Lake Restoration from 3:30 to 5 p.m. today through Thursday in the Turner Community Center, Room 103. The course will highlight nutrient loading and its effect on water quality, recreation and housing values. The course costs $22 for today's session and $72 for the entire week.
For more information on "Water Matters" week, as well as other events being held at Chautauqua Institution, visit www.ciweb.org or call 1-800-836-2787.