Photo: Matt Champlin

Protecting Water Quality in the Finger Lakes Region

Water Quality > Home Page

Toxic algae blooms, or harmful algal blooms (HABs), have become the predominant threat to water quality in the Finger Lakes region. Please share our toxic algae pages and help us protect our waters!

The Finger Lakes Land Trust protects water quality by permanently conserving thousands of acres and cooperating with partners to restore natural systems that safeguard our watersheds. See our 5-Point Water Quality Initiative and our Regional Conservation Agenda.

The 11 Finger Lakes are the lifeblood of our region. They provide drinking water for one million residents while attracting tourists from around the world. The lakes have long been known for clean waters, but nutrient-laden runoff – exacerbated by a warming climate – has resulted in declining water quality.

You can help us save more land and keep our water clean.

Toxic Algae: Harmful Aquatic Blooms (HABs) in the Finger Lakes

A web resource created by the Finger Lakes Land Trust to inform our communities about an intensifying menace to water quality, public health, and economics across the region.

See the site

Our New Initiative for Immediate Action to Protect Water

The 5-point plan to expand water protection efforts of the Finger Lakes Land Trust including lakeshores, stream buffers, wetlands, and strong partnerships with lake associations.

See the plan

Our Partners in Finger Lakes Water Quality Protection

Lake associations, conservation agencies, and other collaborators in our enduring mission to protect water quality and fight toxic algae in the Finger Lakes region.

See our partners

Our Projects to Save Lakes, Streams, and Drinking Water

Saving sensitive lands in the watersheds, restoring and creating wetlands, and other practices to protect water quality in the 11 Finger Lakes and our region as a whole.

See key projects

Three Nonprofits Join Forces in Skaneateles Watershed

The Nature Conservancy, Finger Lakes Land Trust, and Skaneateles Lake Association form a coalition to combat harmful algal blooms (HABs) and safeguard the watershed.

See the story

Press Releases and Media Stories on Our Water Quality Work

Read selected press releases and media coverage of Finger Lakes Land Trust projects and partner efforts that are protecting water quality in the region.

See the stories