The Nawakwa Outdoor Association of New York, Inc.

Keyholder —> Log in

The Nawakwa Outdoor Association of New York, Inc.

Paid Environmental Internship at Lake Sebago in Harriman State Park

Paid Environmental Internship at Lake Sebago in Harriman State Park
Organization: American Canoe Association

Summary of Position:
Gain valuable work experience in the field of conservation. Spend your summer weekends outdoors on the shore of Lake Sebago as a paid intern with the American Canoe Association (ACA). The ACA is taking part in the Lower Hudson PRISM’s (Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management) Watercraft Inspection Steward Program and is seeking an intern to lead this outreach effort. You would provide critical education and outreach to boaters on Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) identification and spread prevention methods while performing voluntary boat inspections and collecting data on boater habits. This job is on land; no canoeing experience is necessary.
As an intern you will receive training on public outreach, invasive species identification and management, principles and methods of watercraft inspection, digital data collection, and survey methods from experts at LH PRISM. You would also work with LH PRISM Aquatic Invasives Strike Force to conduct a survey of Lake Sebago to assess the current presence, absence and distribution of aquatic invasive species.

Hours and Compensation:
Pay is $15/hour. Work will be 8 hours a day on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from May 28 – September 5. (With some flexibility of a few weekends off throughout the summer.) Additionally there will be 2-4 days of paid training before the May 28th start date.

Location:
Lake Sebago Boat Launch off Seven Lakes Drive, Ramapo, NY. Parking is available on site.
Duties and Responsibilities
● Educate boaters about AIS and teach clean boating practices, by distributing outreach and educational material to watercraft users while performing voluntary boat inspections
● Enter boat inspection data in a data collection app (equipment will be provided for this)
● Work with LH PRISM Aquatic Invasives Strike Force to conduct a survey of invasive species in
Lake Sebago
● Perform outreach about AIS at the Youth Regatta canoe races on Lake Sebago and the ACA
Camp at Lake Sebago during New York Invasive Species Awareness Week.
The ideal candidate will
● Have an interest in conservation and/or environmental education
● Be motivated to learn more about AIS management and education
● Be comfortable talking with visitors and taking part in outreach events
● Enjoy working outside and be able to maintain a positive attitude in a variety of conditions ● Have a reliable cell phone and mode of transportation to the public boat launch

To Apply
Send an email describing your interest in the position and your resume to Erin Thelen, Director of Conservation and Public Policy for the American Canoe Association Atlantic Division at conservation@aca-atlanticdivision.com

 

Background on this position 

Grant for Lake Steward Position

 

Summary
The ACA Atlantic Division Conservation Committee received a grant from Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (LH PRISM) to hire an intern to educate the public about aquatic invasive species and serve as a Watercraft Inspection Steward at the public launch of Lake Sebago.  With this grant we are taking the next step to manage the spread of AIS through voluntary boat inspections, a lake-wide monitoring effort, and outreach to both the general public and the Lake Sebago group camp community.    

The intern will:

• Act as a Watercraft Inspection Steward on weekends and holidays from May 2022- September 2022
• Provide outreach materials/demos on invasive species and on how to use iNaturalist and/or imapInvasives
• Conduct a survey of Lake Sebago to assess the current presence, absence and distribution of AIS, together with a team from LH PRISM Aquatic Invasives Strike Force
• Provide education and outreach on mitigating spread of AIS to boaters and anglers, as well as group camp community members
• Provide an educational program during NY Invasive Species Awareness Week at the ACA Camp at Lake Sebago


What is a Watercraft Inspection Steward Program (WISP)?
WISPs work to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species spread via hitchhikers on boats.  These programs provide free, voluntary boat inspections to recreational boaters, and educate boaters, anglers, and all recreational users about aquatic invasive species and how clean boating practices can minimize their spread.

Who else is involved?

• LH PRISM Aquatic Invasive Species Program – The LH PRISM AIS Program Coordinator will train the intern in species identification, principles and methods of watercraft inspection, digital data collection, and survey methods. The coordinator will also monitor and manage the data collected by the intern, and provide additional training and notes as needed throughout the season. In addition, the coordinator will provide the basic set-up and outreach materials needed for the intern to perform as a Watercraft Inspection Steward representing the LH PRISM.
• Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) – PIPC will coordinate closely with the ACA on this project and view it as a pilot project for both AIS prevention on park lands and working with group camps to protect and manage the park’s natural resources.
• The Nawakwa Outdoor Association (former the New York Chapter) will help recruit, interview, and serve on the hiring committee for the intern. Once hired, NOANY will also help to train and assist in overseeing the intern’s work.
• Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) – AMC will provide overall project oversight, identify invasive species management projects on lands under AMC’s management, and help recruit and serve on the hiring committee for the intern

Open House May 7, 2022 – all are welcome

Nawakwa Outdoor Association of New York, Inc.

Peter Stuyvesant Post Office Station PO Box 327

New York, NY 10009-9998




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2022

 

Celebration and Open House at Camp Nawakwa on May 7, 2022

 

The Nawakwa Outdoor Association of New York, Inc. invites you to a special Open House and Celebration on the afternoon of Saturday May 7th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at Camp Nawakwa in Harriman State Park.

 

While we were founded way back in 1923 as the New York Chapter, we are taking this first opportunity to kick off the 2022 camp season and celebrate our new name as the NOA. 

 

We’ll have an open house on Saturday afternoon as we extend

  • a welcome back to camp to our long-time members
  • a welcome for new Nawakwans and our new Nawakwa applicants from the past two years
  • a special welcome to all NY Chapter Members – who have free membership in the NOA throughout 2022
  • and a general invitation to everyone interested in finding out more about the NOA, Camp Nawakwa, and all our offerings

 

Visitors will be able to tour our facilities including our Main Lodge built in the 1930’s, our cabins, swimming dock, kayak and canoe landing. Throughout the afternoon you’ll have a chance to speak with members of the NOA and learn about our group activities including hiking, swimming, boating, camping, and eating! We’ll have snacks and beverages to help celebrate. Best of all, the event will be free of charge!

 

If you’re interested in attending, please visit https://noany.org/event/welcome-back-and-open-house-at-nawakwa/

 

Although our club has a new name, the spirit of sharing and teamwork that makes camp and our members special has not changed but endures still. If you agree, please consider including the Nawakwa Outdoor Association and Camp Nawakwa today or in your estate planning. Such support ensures the camp’s continued operation and enjoyment by us and by future generations of Nawakwans. Nawakwa Outdoor Association of New York, Inc. is the correct designation for any special bequests.  Please note that our club is a 501(c)7 non-profit membership club. As such, we are not able to arrange for tax-deductible gifts at this time. Questions and donations may be directed to our treasurer Suzanne Rocheleau treasurer@noany.org or our Chair Ray@noany.org 

 



About the Nawakwa Outdoor Association of New York, Inc.

 

Originally founded in 1923 as the second oldest chapter of the ADK, the Nawakwa Outdoor Association of New York (NOA), a 501(c)7 non-profit, is a membership-run organization dedicated to the enjoyment of the outdoors through hiking, walking, camping, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking in the New York City metropolitan area.  We continue to dedicate ourselves to the conservation and preservation of our wilderness, particularly the mountains, lakes, trails, and camping areas of Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks.

 

Camp Nawakwa – Our Rustic Retreat and Home-Base

Camp Nawakwa was built for us in 1926 by Harriman State Park and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. Nestled on the shores of Lake Sebago, the largest lake in Harriman State Park, Camp Nawakwa has been continuously run by the volunteer members of NOA for the enjoyment of Nawakwans, their families, and guests. All are welcome to visit camp and consider NOA membership and Keyholder status for themselves.

 

Our main cabin can accommodate 50 people for meals and social activities. There are six separate sleeping cabins with comfortable beds, along with numerous tent sites. A large swim dock, swimming area, and floating platform make for great swimming in Lake Sebago. There is also access to a boating fleet which includes kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and a sailboat. Visit us online at noany.org or contact us at info@noany.org










Hosting Availability: Spaces going fast! Late Summer Open

Hosts Needed for Memorial Day Weekend! Other dates are filling up fast, see below for what’s available.

 

Dear Keyholders,

Camp Nawakwa will soon open for its 2022 season!  We would love to see every weekend hosted from the beginning of May through end of October, including midweek (Monday through Friday), especially during popular summer months.

Currently, the available weekends are:

5/28 – 5/29 – 5/30

8/6-8/7

9/3 – 9/4 – 9/5

9/10-9/11

Last long weekend 10/8-10

10/15 – 10/16

10/22-23

 

Please contact the hosting committee chair below as soon as possible with your preferred hosting dates.  Confirm reservation is on a first come first served basis!  Only the hosting committee can confirm that your requested dates are still available between calendar updates.

 

If you’d like to review our hosting policy before committing to hosting, please visit this page: https://noany.org/policies-procedures/

 

Hosts are strongly encouraged to attend an applicant orientation session even if they’re longtime members; there’s a lot to know about the operation of our camp, and some things have changed in recent years.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you,

 

Mintari Preston

Hosting Committee Chair

noamintari@gmail.com

201-655-9813

Recent Posts

Founded in 1923, the Nawakwa Outdoor Association of New York, Inc. is a membership organization dedicated to the enjoyment of the outdoors through hiking, walking, camping, swimming, skiing, sailing, canoeing, and kayaking, and to the conservation and preservation of our wilderness, particularly the mountains, lakes, trails, and camping areas of the metropolitan New York region.