/ / / SMLA Accomplishments Highlighted at National Symposia

SMLA Accomplishments Highlighted at National Symposia

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SMLA is reaching national audiences to share the work being done to keep SML clean and safe.

“SMLA is doing good work, and we are excited to share it with the wider lake science community,” said Green. “To have the opportunity to share with and learn from experts across the continent and in our backyard is invaluable. If some of our discoveries and progress inspire others to follow, all the better.”

At the Virginia Water Monitoring Council (VWMC) annual conference, SMLA Dock Watch program chair Mary Colligan shared updates on SMLA citizen science programs with over 100 attendees representing academia, lake managers, watershed organizations, state agencies, and water quality monitoring organizations from across Virginia.

SMLA also presented at the North American Lake Managers Society’s (NALMS) Annual Conference. Nearly 500 attendees from across North America gathered to discuss the latest science and technology that help lake managers successfully address issues affecting so many lakes.

The VWMC conference presentation titled “Citizen Science Programs at Smith Mountain Lake” presented the efforts of SMLA’s programs to monitor and update the community about water quality topics. The day-long conference included seven other presentations from organizations and state agencies.

SMLA was invited to give two presentations at the NALMS symposium. Keri Green, SMLA vice president, spoke on “SMLA Dock Watch, an Early Warning System, under construction” and “Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Successful Citizen Science Programs.” The three-day conference had over 100 speakers presenting diverse topics on lake science, management, monitoring, and technology.

About the Virginia Water Monitoring Council
The VWMC promotes information sharing among its members and encourages collaborations among water monitoring programs in Virginia. The VWMC offers an opportunity for dialogue and teamwork for all interested in water monitoring. The organization has approximately 830 members belonging to more than 300 different organizations. For more, visit https://vwmc.vwrrc.vt.edu/about/

About the North American Lake Managers Society
NALMS was founded in Portland, Maine in 1980 as an organization with membership open to professionals and citizens interested in applied lake management. The mission is to forge partnerships among citizens, scientists, and professionals to foster the management and protection of lakes and reservoirs for today and tomorrow. NALMS has over 1,000 scientists, lake managers, academics, watershed organizations, and other professionals represented in its membership. SMLA has been a member since 2024. For more, visit https://www.nalms.org/our-mission/

About SMLA
The Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) mission is to keep Smith Mountain Lake clean and safe. Established in 1969, SMLA is the longest serving advocate for the SML community. Activities help to retain the pristine beauty of Smith Mountain Lake and the vibrant local economy. SMLA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer-led organization that relies on memberships, donations, and grants to support programs that protect SML.

Doug Light, left, and Mary Colligan look at data collected by SMLA Dock Watch volunteers. Colligan presented about the SMLA program at the Virginia Water Monitoring Council annual conference.
Doug Light, left, and Mary Colligan look at data collected by SMLA Dock Watch volunteers. Colligan presented about the SMLA program at the Virginia Water Monitoring Council annual conference.
SMLA Vice President Keri Green, left, presented at the recent NALMS conference about SMLA programs to engage citizen scientists like the Lake Days program held at the SML State Park in the spring.
SMLA Vice President Keri Green, left, presented at the recent NALMS conference about SMLA programs to engage citizen scientists like the Lake Days program held at the SML State Park in the spring.
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Smith Mountain Lake Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). We are a volunteer-led organization that relies on memberships, donations and grants to support programs to keep SML clean and safe.

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