Save Skaneateles Lake

Skaneateles Lake faces an immediate crisis. Eurasian watermilfoil, an aggressively invasive aquatic plant, threatens to drastically and permanently change the character of the lake. Unchecked, the weed spreads quickly and forms large, dense mats of floating vegetation.

In 2007 supported by the donations of hundreds of local residents, the Skaneateles Lake Milfoil Eradication Project removed 4 acres of milfoil from the lake. Building on this success, nearly 15 acres were removed in 2008, 6 in 2009, and 8 in 2010. Our goal in 2011 is to complete the project; this involves removing the remaining 7 acres. Your contribution by joining the Skaneateles Lake Association as an Active Member will help to make this possible.

Fortunately, we have developed over the last four summers effective ways of controlling milfoil. The successful implementation of a hand-pulling program supplemented by benthic matting has enabled us to remove approximately 33 acres of milfoil to date.

This will be an extremely demanding, labor-intensive and costly effort. Approximately $1,500,000 will be required to finance this five-year eradication initiative. Your help is desperately needed to pay for the equipment and labor necessary to preserve Skaneateles as the sparkling jewel of the Finger Lakes. Without sufficient funding, this program cannot succeed.

The Skaneateles Lake Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Part of the mission of the organization is to remove invasive species from Skaneateles Lake. Your donation is completely tax-deductible.

	A recent photograph of milfoil on Cayuga Lake that has been allowed to grow unchecked. Click image for full size.