CANANDAIGUA, NY — A $10,000 grant will help local students contribute to the conservation of Canandaigua Lake.
The Rotary Club of Canandaigua has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association to launch the Jim Holden Legacy Project, an environmental education initiative.
Who was James Holden?
Honoring the late James Holden, a Rotarian, public servant and passionate advocate for youth and education, the grant is funded through a bequest from the estate of Jim and Jane Holden.
A former school board member and Canandaigua town supervisor, Holden was among those who helped in the purchase of land that would become the lakeside Onanda Park in the town.
The project will engage students in protecting Canandaigua Lake by monitoring the lake’s water quality through hands-on science experiments. Participants will gain both technical skills and a deeper sense of stewardship for their community’s most vital natural resource.
Supporting the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association in educating students about the lake also honors Holden’s lifelong dedication to the greater Canandaigua community, according to Mark Sheppard, a Canandaigua Rotary board member and close friend.
“Jim always gave of his time, talents and treasures to assist others,” Sheppard said. “He educated through example, and those who listened and observed were changed for the better.”
Students will study Canandaigua Lake over summers
Canandaigua Lake, a source of drinking water for over 70,000 people, is facing increasing threats from warming temperatures, invasive species and rising levels of pollutants.
Students will use professional-grade equipment to measure key environmental indicators such as pH, temperature, chloride levels and harmful algal blooms. Their findings will contribute to the Watershed Association’s ongoing research, aiding efforts to address climate change and pollution impacts on the lake.
The project will feature two tailored learning modules: one integrated into the Watershed Association’s existing Water & Wildlife Summer Camp for middle school students, and another designed for high school science classrooms in partnership with local schools.
These modules align with state science standards and emphasize inquiry-based learning, environmental relevance and real-world problem-solving.
“We are deeply grateful to the Rotary Club of Canandaigua for their generous support and shared commitment to protecting Canandaigua Lake,” stated Susan Martenson, president of the Watershed Association’s board of directors. “This collaboration exemplifies the power of community partnerships. Together, we’re not only safeguarding a vital natural resource but also working to inspire the next generation to continue this important work.”
For more information about the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association, visit www.canandaigualakeassoc.org.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Students to help protect Canandaigua Lake with $10K grant for environmental education
Reporting by Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
