The Colgate University Upstate Institute awarded the Lake Moraine Association two summer fellows: Katelyn Parker for the summer of 2015 and Andy Sia for the summer of 2017. They worked on the aquatic invasive species problem, by staffing the boat-launch, working with volunteers there, making signs and other educational material. In 2017, Andy Sia assembled, with the guidance of LMA board members and others, a number of resources for further education and understanding of the ecological history of the lake, and of useful steps that all community residents can take to guarantee the health of the lake long into the future. These are organized into categories. All materials on this site are either public domain/fair use or belong to the Lake Moraine Association. Some excellent resources come from nearby lake associations and NYSFOLA - the NY State Federation of Lake Associations, of which the LMA is a longstanding member. If you have any questions about the material on this site, or something to contribute, please contact nries@colgate.edu.
Lakeside Gardening
As a homeowner, you can help keep our lake clean. Runoff from waterfront properties may pollute a lake by introducing sediments, or nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus (see: Nutrient Loading), into the lake. Alongside maintaining your septic system (see: Septic Systems), gardening can actually help minimize runoff to lakes!
Two gardening practices help to reduce lake pollution:
1. Planting a buffer of native plants. This means planting and maintaining a strip of native plants around the shoreline of the lake. These plants will filter sediments and nutrients from runoff, as well as minimize erosion from the shoreline (See: Shoreline Stabilization). Buffer strips can also enhance your property by functioning as a natural screen against noise and wind. For more information on planting buffer strips, take a look at page 24-29 and 53-61 here.
2. Planting a rain garden. A rain garden is a small, depressed plot filled with plants. The depression will capture runoff and allow it to soak to the ground, filtering out pollutants to the lake. Besides being good for the local environment, the rain garden will also enhance the beauty of your yard and neighborhood. For more information on planting rain gardens, take a look here.
Thank you for helping to keep Lake Moraine clean!