About Seneca Lake Guardian

Seneca Lake Guardian is a New York State Not-for-Profit Corporation with 501(c)(3) and is dedicated to preserving and protecting the health of the Finger Lakes, its residents and visitors, its rural community character, and its agricultural and tourist related businesses through public education, citizen participation, engagement with decision makers, and networking with like-minded organizations.

Our Mission

To participate in the development of projects, To organize educational and public relations programs, To encourage citizen participation, To interact with charitable and governmental organizations, To provide advice and assistance to other groups in the Finger Lakes region

See our full Mission Statement

Background:

Seneca Lake Guardian was founded by Yvonne Taylor and Joseph Campbell, the leaders behind Gas Free Seneca, along with Mary Anne Kowalski, a Seneca Lake Pure Waters Board member. Their efforts arose from the urgent need for active involvement in addressing the numerous threats facing Seneca Lake. The Leadership Team of Gas Free Seneca, known for successfully stopping a proposed gas storage and transport hub in the Finger Lakes, formed Seneca Lake Guardian to continue the fight for environmental protection.

Seneca Lake Guardian is a Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate, connecting it to the largest and fastest-growing nonprofit solely focused on clean water. This global network unites more than 300 Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates that patrol and protect over 2.5 million square miles of rivers, lakes, and coastal waterways across six continents—all working toward the shared goal of drinkable, fishable, swimmable water everywhere.

Seneca Lake itself is the heart of the Finger Lakes region, containing 4.2 trillion gallons of fresh water and serving as a drinking water source for 100,000 people. The region’s thriving agricultural and tourism industries depend on the lake’s health. While other groups monitor water quality or focus on single issues, Seneca Lake Guardian is the only organization dedicated to actively protecting the lake and the Finger Lakes region from industrial projects that could jeopardize water quality, community character, the Finger Lakes Brand, and the livelihoods of small business owners who depend on the lakes for their success.

Seneca Lake Guardian is committed to:

Promoting sustainable energy
Increasing investment in water supply and sewer systems
Challenging destructive power plants, reckless development, and failing infrastructure

These efforts extend beyond Seneca Lake to protect the entire Finger Lakes region. Our lakes are at risk—we need a strong Guardian to protect them.

Bios

(click on bio for more)

Joseph Campbell

Dr. Joseph Campbellis a lifelong resident of the Finger Lakes. After graduating (cum laude) from New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls in 1996, he established a successful practice in Naples, NY.

Yvonne Taylor

Yvonne Taylor has a BA in English and a Minor in Public Relations from SUNY Geneseo ,a BA in Speech and Language from Elmira College, and a Masters Degree in Reading from SUNY Cortland. She lives on the East side of Seneca Lake on land that has been in her family for generations.

Jessica Wall

Jessica has lived and travelled across the world, but has called the Finger Lakes her home for over 40 years.