Save The River would like to thank the attendees, volunteers, sponsors, and tabling-partners for attending the 36th Annual Winter Environmental Conference.
With over 140 people in attendance and dozens more on livestream, Save The River was blown away by the support shown for local research and science communication by the River community.
Highlights from the conference include awarding John Peach the 2025 Friend of the River. John was unable to attend the conference in-person, but in a video recorded earlier this year at his home in Clinton, John recounted his gratitude for the many people and programs he was able to work with while at Save The River. His speech was followed with a standing ovation from the crowd.
Nick Edwards was named the 2024 Dan Tack Muskie Catch & Release Tournament winner. Nick is the only angler to submit multiple muskie catch & releases for the 2024 season and was able to accept the award in-person with his two daughters. Save The River is excited to see fishermen like Nick teaching the next generation of St. Lawrence anglers how to care for this iconic species such as the muskie. Congratulations Nick!
Three professors from SUNY Potsdam, including Dr. Kate Cleary, Dr. Glenn Johnson, and Dr. Jessica Pearson, shared current studies being conducted in and around the St. Lawrence Valley region to improve animal connectivity, invasive species management, and habitat protection.
Save The River was also excited to welcome two speakers from downriver, Matt Windle from the River Institute and Britney Bourdages from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, to recap the 10-year anniversary of the Freshwater Identification Nearshore Survey (FINS) program.
The River Institute held the first-ever Thousand Islands Regional Meeting the day before. This space was open for environmentally-concerned stakeholders to collaborate on initiatives to protect the St. Lawrence and is under their new initiative called the River Strategy.
Dr. John Farrell from SUNY ESF presented his work researching Northern Pike and Muskellunge. He brought attention to a new invasive species in the St. Lawrence River, the Chain Pickerel.
Jake Tibbles, Executive Director of the Thousand Islands Land Trust, recapped progress in the Save Blind Bay campaign from last year and projected where the movement is headed in 2025. He highlighted the importance of working with allies in Washington D.C. so that Blind Bay can continue to be protected.
A full recording of the conference is now available on Save The River’s Youtube page for free. Thank you again to everyone who made this year’s conference possible and Save The River looks forward to organizing this event again next winter.
