Chautauqua, Bear, and Cassadaga Lakes are part of the Conewango watershed. Here’s how we got started. In the late summer of 2019, a grassroots group of scientists, teachers, fishermen, environmentalists, and writers began meeting regularly to discuss shared concerns about Chautauqua Lake – both the lake’s health and the quality of its water. Shortly after our meetings began, our small group (still unnamed at the time) was asked to contribute to The Allegheny Voice, a blog focused on environmental issues affecting the Allegheny River Watershed in western Pennsylvania and western New York. (https://alleghenyvoice.com/). Developing content for that platform helped us to better appreciate our position as part of a larger watershed. And we began to explore ways to connect with others in both western New York and western Pennsylvania who shared our passion for protecting the water quality of our lakes, rivers, creeks, and streams. This led to our group beginning a relationship with the Conewango Creek Watershed Association. (https://www.conewangocreek.org/ )
At the same time, members of our group became aware of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. It is the largest nonprofit solely focused on clean water, with more than 300 branches on six continents. Their mission is to protect everyone’s right to drinkable, swimmable, and fishable water (https://waterkeeper.org/ ) In November, 2019, we submitted a proposal to become a Waterkeeper affiliate with a focus on the larger Chautauqua-Conewango watershed, a stance that would extend our reach and build a larger constituency for clean water. On April 1, 2020 we were officially named the “Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium, a Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate.”
About Our Logo
The turtle featured in our logo is the Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera). These turtles owe their name to the unusual, leathery shell that covers their body. They are a species of Special Concern in New York State and are rarely seen – except in the greater Jamestown area, where they inhabit the Chadakoin River and Chautauqua Lake. In early summer, dozens of these large, bizarre turtles be seen as they sunbathe on the banks of the river, or float near the water surface with only their snorkel-like snout visible. Softshell turtles are excellent indicators of clean water and inform us about the health of our rivers and lakes. We thought these critters would make a relevant and charismatic mascot.
