Cayuga’s Cultural Speaker Series to Spotlight Lake Ontario Marine Sanctuary

Cayuga Community College’s Cultural Speaker Series will shift to the Fulton Campus next week to highlight the new Lake Ontario Marine Sanctuary and its potential impact on the greater Oswego County community.

Designated earlier this year by the federal government, the Lake Ontario Marine Sanctuary recognizes the environmental, commercial, and historic importance of the Great Lake, as well as its role in the maritime landscape. Cayuga Professor Robert Humphrey, who served on the Lake Ontario Marine Sanctuary Advisory Board, will discuss the process behind the designation and its importance to the region.

The presentation is scheduled for 4-5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, in Room F204 on Cayuga’s Fulton Campus. The discussion is free to attend.

“The designation of the Lake Ontario Marine Sanctuary celebrates the history, cultural resources, and archaeological significance of our region. As a member on the Advisory Board, Dr. Humphrey will discuss the designation process, as well as illustrate what it means for Lake Ontario and the surrounding area moving forward,” said Emily Cameron, Cayuga’s Director of Community Education and Workforce Development.

“The National Marine Sanctuary designation honors Lake Ontario’s cultural and historic role, and recognizes its growing potential for community, education and tourism purposes,” said Dr. Humphrey. “At the same time, because the designation is so unique, many people aren’t overly familiar with what it means. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences on the Advisory Board and helping people appreciate the importance of the designation for our region.”

The Lake Ontario Marine Sanctuary represents 1,300 square nautical miles bordering Cayuga, Jefferson, Oswego and Wayne Counties. The designation expands opportunities for education, research, and protection of resources, as well as recreation and tourism promotion.

The 2024 designation came seven years after the adjacent counties and the City of Oswego submitted a nomination to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). There are currently only 17 marine sanctuaries in the United States.

A member of the Advisory Board since its founding in 2020, Dr. Humphrey has been a full-time biology professor at Cayuga since 2009. He’s received several awards in his time at the College, including the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He earned his doctorate in Science Education and Evolution from Cornell University, and has also earned master’s degrees from SUNY Cortland and Cornell.

Dr. Humphrey’s presentation is the second installment in this fall’s Cultural Speaker Series at Cayuga. The third and final presentation is Nov. 18, with author Heidi Nightengale presenting The Creative Writing Process at the Auburn Campus.

Registration is recommended for all Cultural Speaker Series events, and can be completed by calling the Office of Community Education and Workforce Development at 315-294-8841.