Sanctuary Speaker Series Features Experts in Marine Research

The H. Lee White Maritime Museum presents “Seeing Below the Surface: Exploration of Water Quality in Lake Ontario,” by Andrew S. Brainard, Ph.D., and David Andrews of the Upstate Freshwater Institute (UFI) as part of its Sanctuary Speaker Series. The free program begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at the museum, 1 W. First St. Pier, Oswego.

The duo will explore how UFI’s advanced monitoring buoy systems collect near-real-time data on temperature, waves and weather, and how that information supports scientific research and recreation. With data and imagery captured via underwater cameras, the audience can virtually dive beneath Lake Ontario’s surface to learn about water quality monitoring and its connection to recreation. 

UFI Executive Director Andrew Brainard leads the agency’s monitoring, water quality assessment and applied research programs. Growing up in the Southern Tier, he experienced river fishing trips that sparked an early interest in freshwater systems. Brainard earned his Master of Science in ecology at West Chester University in Pennsylvania and his doctorate at SUNY ESF in Syracuse, where he studied the ecological impacts of invasive aquatic plants and bottom-dwelling creatures across many lakes, including the Great Lakes.

Senior research scientist David Andrews has worked at UFI for seven years. He also leads the UFI Scientific Diving Program, logging many dives to deploy monitoring buoys in Lake Ontario. Andrews grew up in the central Adirondacks, where his interest in the outdoors led him to earn a bachelor’s degree in aquatics and fisheries from SUNY ESF. After working in the marine fisheries industry in Gloucester, MA, he earned his Master of Science in lake management from SUNY Oneonta and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at SUNY ESF.

For more information on UFI, its work and programs, go to www.upstatefreshwater.org. 

The H. Lee White Maritime Museum’s new Sanctuary Speaker Series brings together experts in science, history, preservation and underwater exploration. Speakers offer fresh perspectives on Lake Ontario and its cultural and natural resources and the program is funded in part by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s Sanctuary Community Fund. 

The H. Lee White Maritime Museum and Treasure Chest Gift Shop are open daily from 1 to 5 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in July and August in Oswego’s Historic Maritime District. 

For more information on this or other museum programs, call 315-342-0480 or go to www.hlwmm.org.

COLLECTING WATER DATA – Upstate Freshwater Institute’s (UFI) buoy system is used to collect near-real-time data on water temperature, wave action, weather and more to support ecological research near the city of Oswego in the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary. UFI representatives will discuss their research at the H. Lee White Maritime Museum, 1 W. First St. Pier, Oswego, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19. The event is free and open to the public.

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