Project WHIRL

01/05/2025

Who would be interested in joining Project WHIRL for summer 2025 on the Indian River Lakes? Would you like a summer-long program or week-long? 🐟
Tag a teen who is interested in the environment or being outdoors below. 👇

05/29/2024

🌊🌿 Exciting Opportunity Alert! 🌿🌊

📢 Calling all students and parents! Tomorrow night at 7 p.m., join us for a Zoom meeting hosted by the Indian River Lakes Conservancy. We'll be diving into the details of our WHIRL program - that's Water and Habitat on the Indian River Lakes!

🚣‍♀️ Designed for teenagers aged 14 to 18, our program offers eight days of immersive activities starting July 8th, running through the second week of August, every Tuesday and Thursday. Participants will delve into limnology, the fascinating study of lakes, and master the art of kayaking while developing a deep appreciation for our precious lakes.

🌟 But that's not all! Throughout the program, they'll engage with environmental professionals, gaining insights into potential career paths in the environmental field. It's a fantastic opportunity to explore a future in environmentalism while having a blast on the lakes this summer.

📅 Mark your calendars for Tuesdays and Thursdays, and don't forget to join us tomorrow night (May 30th) at 7 o'clock on Zoom. Whether you have questions or are ready to sign up for an unforgettable summer adventure based in Redwood, NY, we're here to help!

Let's make this summer one to remember, filled with learning, exploration, and fun! 🌞💧

Any questions you can email us at [email protected] or call us at 315-482-4757 

05/28/2023

The Indian River Lakes Conservancy is hosting a 5-week (2 days a week) summer program for teens ages 14-18 during which they will learn about conservation and specifically water resources and the Indian River Lakes. There will be several opportunities for getting out on the lakes in kayaks. The program is experiential (not classroom-oriented) so it's great for kids that do well outdoors or with hands-on learning. The program is free (thanks to our members) but we do ask that students are committed to completing the course. Please message us or email me for more information at [email protected]. This is a great experience for young adults and can really have a lasting impact on their future.

**Also, we are still raising money to get a kayak trailer for the kayaks that Bass Pro shop donated last fall. If you feel called to help, visit indianriverlakes.org. Thanks!!**

See photos from last year's WHIRL program at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA2EwD

Thank you for your participation!

11/28/2022

We hope you'll join us in supporting our Project WHIRL program this . More info at indianriverlakes.org

11/22/2022

Ice-fishing is back this year! We hope you can join us!

Club WHIRL ice-fishing for teens is on the calendar for 2023! Tom Hughes, NY State Sportsman Hall-of-Famer, will provide the instruction, equipment, and fishing stories! Open to all teens aged 14 and up. Message us here or at [email protected] for more info or to sign up! Remember IRLC this Give at indianriverlakes.org
February 18th
10am - 2pm
No experience necessary!

06/16/2022

We are excited to once again be offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for teens to experience the Indian River Lakes Region up close with Project WHIRL!

Project WHIRL - short for "Water and Habitat on the Indian River Lakes" is an environmental education program for teens with the goal of enriching their lives with fun and educational experiences on the Lakes.

Teens will learn everything from how to kayak to the science of watersheds to aquatic ecosystems and fishing to conservation advocacy skills. WHIRL is designed to be participatory, engaging, unique, and educational, with a focus on outdoor environmental exploration of the Indian River Lakes.

WHIRL is a no-cost program; open to all students ages 14 – 18. The program begins on July 12th and will continue on Tuesdays & Thursdays throughout the summer.

Class size is limited so please sign up early. Teens and their parents can register by emailing [email protected] or by visiting the link at indianriverlakes.org/upcomingevents.

With the help of our partners, FORCES at SUNY ESF and Clarkson University, we will also introduce the students to environmental learning opportunities at the higher education level. College-age mentors will discuss their experiences, answer questions and talk about going into the environmental fields professionally.

Together, we mentor the next generation about the need to preserve, protect, and encourage the sustainable management of our natural resources through their exploration of the Indian River watershed.

03/18/2022

Project WHIRL students took to Red Lake to enjoy a day of ice fishing and learning about ecology! We’re so grateful that our landscape affords us this opportunity, and we are blessed to be able to share our love and stewardship of the outdoors with the next generation. Special thanks to Tom Hughes for leading this fishing clinic.

Teens are invited to join us April 9th at Baker Woods Preserve, NY for the next WHIRL event! Sign up by emailing Heidi at [email protected].

02/23/2022

🌲 This page is updated intermittently. To find the latest about event updates, visit Indian River Lakes Conservancy or join our group Friends of the Indian River lakes Conservancy. 🌲

02/20/2022

❄️ Our ice-fishing event has been rescheduled until Friday due to ice conditions on the Lake (slush on the ice). The good news is you still have time to sign up & fish with us on Friday, February 25th. ❄️

02/20/2022

Each year people from around the world come together to watch, learn about, count, and celebrate birds. Join us in February!