ESSLA Volunteer Gets Top Award

Congrats to Jane Smith, a dedicated lake lover who is one of many who share a passion for protecting Schroon Lake and our other bodies of water, on receiving the volunteer of the Year award, from the New York State Federation of Lakes (NYSFOLA).

More from ESSLA's Bill McGhie, and his nomination letter to NYSFOLA::

"Back in 2006 Jane was instrumental in the reorganization of ESSLA.  Changing it from a nice social association into a dynamic protector of Schroon Lake and its watershed.

Since Jane has taken over as ESSLA’s President many new and exciting things have happened.  With Jane’s guidance ESSLA initiated a Floating Classroom program where we take children out on a boat and teach them about Schroon Lake and its watershed.  With instructors from Paul Smith’s college taking the lead and with the use of a large barge from the Word of Life Organization we invite children from all around the area to join us.

Thanks to Jane’s leadership and perseverance we now have a boat decontamination station at the Horicon Boat launch and she is currently working to secure a station for our neighbors on Paradox Lake.  ESSLA provides local training, with the help of Paul Smith’s College and the Town of Horicon, for the area’s Lake Stewards.

We started what we refer to as our SOS Program (Sieve our Shore) where we have volunteers check the sandy sections of our lake for Asian Clams.   We purchased several sieves and once a year we send out teams of volunteers to check key sites.

The web site has been brought into the 21st century, and we now have an electronic Mini Pearl where we send information out to our members throughout the year.   Along with the new web site we have automated the process for joining ESSLA and paying the dues.

Jane has established a great working relationship with the Town of Horicon and is involved in many town activities. With the hope of working closer with our neighboring lake associations Jane has periodic meetings with the presidents of the Schroon Lake and the Paradox Lake Associations.  She along with several ESSLA members took part in the Read Across America Program at our local school.   ESSLA continues to head up a milfoil scout program, and provide EWM identification training, for area residents.  We also collect Galerucella beetles hoping to control purple loosestrife and have an Adopt–A-Highway program.

Jane is also one of the prime movers in the Adirondack Lakes Alliance and a strong supporter of NYSFOLA.  To say Jane’s energy seems boundless does not begin to describe her".