Students interested in pursuing a student program at the Finger Lakes Institute should contact:

Sarah Meyer
(315) 781-4382

Student Programs in Research at the FLI

The FLI and Hobart and William Smith Colleges' faculty and students will conduct research Projects in collaboration with watershed management and environmental protection programs currently in place throughout the Finger Lakes region. Projects will be coordinated and carried out by FLI faculty with partners/collaborators and will be primarily interdisciplinary and focused on issues relevant to the Finger Lakes region. Research meets goals of enhancing academic training on the environment, improves the quality of training and research in environmental studies, environmental science and natural resources management. Programs are interdisciplinary, and provide training in environmental management.

FLI Student Program research projects can provide background information and insights about the local environment, and may include but are not limited to:

• Exotic Species introductions and their ecological impacts on the Finger Lakes
• Watershed/Lake Limnology, Hydrogeochemistry, and Ecology of the Finger Lakes
• Ongoing environmental monitoring of the Finger Lakes
• Watershed management training/experience
• Technical training for water monitoring personnel in Finger Lakes region that includes experience on either The William Scandling or the Institute’s traveling research vessel, The J.B. Snow.
• Comprehensive assessment of research programs and remedial implementation approaches on each of the Finger Lakes under local watershed management initiatives
• Resource sharing/clearinghouse information on research in the Finger Lakes region
• Hydrology and water resource issues
• Human interactions and their effects on water quality
• Records of environmental and climate change

Internships in Education at the FLI

The FLI will create, disseminate and coordinate a variety of educational resources and opportunities that will build on and sustain existing programs at the Colleges as well as other programs in the Finger Lakes Region. Students will work closely with the Education Outreach Coordinator during their term. The primary goal will be to develop curricular materials and resources that support and extend existing programs such as Science on Seneca and ESSYI.

FLI Student Program educational pursuits might include but are not limited to:

• Developing and accumulating K-12 curricular resources that focus on the Finger Lakes environment and regional environmental issues
• Creating ongoing teacher professional development programs aligned with national and state standards
• Assisting with school groups visiting the FLI building
• Assisting with our successful Science on Seneca (SOS) and Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute (ESSYI) outreach programs
• Providing opportunities for Hobart and William Smith teacher education students
• Providing internet and interactive computer technologies to promote publications of educational materials, environmental data and related information
• Develop more inputs to curriculum enhancements in local school programs – seat educator on local advisory groups for educational development in K-12 settings

Programs in Community Outreach and Public Service at the FLI

The FLI serves as a clearinghouse for environmental information about the Finger Lakes and the surrounding region. Students will work closely with the Community Outreach Coordinator. Collaboration with regional non-profit organizations, local, state, and federal government agencies, watershed management programs, and other academic institutions will allow the FLI to serve as a clearinghouse for information about the region. These collaborations will enable the development of outreach programs that foster communication and sustained connections among the numerous stakeholders in the region.

Such FLI Student Program linkages might include but are not limited to:

• Handling public visitors or specially scheduled groups
• Creating and maintaining an ongoing public lecture series
• Annual research symposia
• Consulting on the development of educational exhibits
• Publications
• Developing and coordinating outreach programs and opportunities throughout regional Finger Lakes communities
• Developing programs for alumni/alumnae and other adults
• Fostering student internships to work with public and private organizations
• Creating expanded clearinghouse of resource information for FLI’s website
• Public conference/workshops

 Programs in Economic Development and Regional Planning at FLI

As the Finger Lakes region experiences unprecedented growth and emergence as a priority area for tourism and economic development, public water supplies, storm water runoff and wastewater management of public and private systems are some of the emerging primary concerns. Growing demands for water and wastewater management by domestic and industrial users that include agriculture, industry, housing developments, and a burgeoning tourism industry could soon outpace current capacity levels and existing local plans and capabilities to provide these so-called “utilities”. Most of the current watershed management programs are combined local and grassroots initiatives that integrate technical information, applied research and education with public involvement and local policy development. However, many of these programs do not yet collectively address the long range impacts from increased development, as well as the pressures associated with the growth of tourism on a regional basis.

Such FLI Student Program linkages might include but are not limited to:

• Land Use Planning and Development
• Sustainable or Low Impact Development
• Smart Growth
• Economic Development
• Green Industrial Practices and Incentives
• Infrastructure Capacity/Development
• Community Environmental Management
• Drinking Water Quantity Studies
• Clearinghouse of information to support informed decision-making on land use and development that incorporates environmental protection measures
• Energy generation, utilization and environmental impact
• Community environmental issues and concerns
• Green industrial practices and incentives

FLI 2004-2005 Student Projects:
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