The Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium has received a $4,000 grant from Freshwater Future to support its work to protect Chautauqua Lake and the region’s amazing water resources.

The consortium is a non-profit organization that works to protect and restore water quality in the Chautauqua and Conewango watersheds. The group’s work includes monitoring water quality, advocating for stronger water protection regulations, and educating the public about water issues.

“We are grateful to Freshwater Future for this grant,” said Jane Conroe, consortium chairwoman. “This funding will help us to make a real difference in protecting the waters of our region.”

The grant from Freshwater Future will be used to increase the Consortium’s visibility and advocacy efforts. The consortium will use the funds to ensure that herbicide permit review processes are enforced, advocate for protections from harmful algal blooms (HABs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and microplastics, and play a more visible role in decision making related to setting and implementing water policies and regulations.

“We are proud to support the work of the Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium,” said Jill Ryan, executive director of Freshwater Future. “The Consortium is doing important work to protect the waters of this region, and we are committed to helping them succeed.” Since 1996, Freshwater Future has awarded $5.5 million in grants supporting nearly 1,400 projects. Through its Grants Programs, Freshwater Future supports community groups with resources and technology to shift their work, from reactive to proactive, making drinking water safer and cleaner, preventing long-term environmental harm, adapting to climate change, and reaching thousands of residents and their families with information on how to stay healthy.

The Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium is an affiliate member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, a global network of organizations that work to protect and restore water quality. The Waterkeeper Alliance has more than 300 member organizations in over 40 countries.