Climate Connections Can farmers help save New York's Finger Lakes?
Nov 27, 2025
Olivia Green, a conservation professional with the Nature Conservancy, highlights the connection between farm practices and harmful algal blooms in New York's Finger Lakes. She explains how stormwater and agricultural runoff contribute to beach closures, affecting the local economy. Green advocates for sustainable practices like cover crops and wetland protection to filter pollutants. The discussion reveals how managing nutrient runoff can be a game-changer for improving water quality and safeguarding public health.
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Visitors Finding Closed Beaches
- Visitors to New York's Finger Lakes sometimes find beaches closed because of harmful algal blooms that block recreation.
- Olivia Green describes drone images after storms showing plumes that look like chocolate milk entering the lakes from creeks.
Runoff And Warming Drive Toxic Blooms
- High nitrogen and phosphorus in runoff fuel microorganism growth that can produce toxins harmful to people, pets, and wildlife.
- Climate warming worsens the problem by increasing frequency and intensity of storms that carry more pollutants.
Use Cover Crops And Protect Wetlands
- Plant off-season cover crops to absorb water and hold soil, reducing fertilizer runoff from fields.
- Protect forests and wetlands to filter stormwater before it reaches the lakes and keep them cleaner.