New conservation summer program for high school students

Students will build skills and connections while working in local forests, wetlands and waterways.

FLCC’s Muller Field Station will host a free, eight-day immersive program designed to connect local high school students interested in environmental conservation with stewardship projects, career pathways and college programs. 

Located at the south end of Honeoye Lake, the recently renovated Muller Field Station offers more immersive experiences across its 48-acre site, known for its wooded and wetland habitats.  

What is Project Hi-FLOW?

The program, Project Hi-FLOW (High Schoolers Investigating Finger Lakes Ontario Watershed), will provide students with hands-on experience in forests and wetlands within major watersheds of Ontario County. 

Project Hi-FLOW is open to high school students entering grades 9 through 12. 

Program dates and schedule

The program will run Monday, Aug. 3, through Friday, Aug. 14. 

Week One (Aug. 3-6): Fisheries techniques, canoeing, wildlife habitats, invasive species removal and cultural connections to the environment 

Week Two (Aug. 10, 12-14): Forest management, hiking, environmental education and macroinvertebrate sampling 

Each day runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with students beginning and ending at Muller Field Station. Days 7 and 8 will include an overnight, end-of-program celebration in the station’s bunkhouse.  

What's included

The program is free and provides everything students need to participate, including: 

• Journals and writing utensils 
• All activity supplies 
• Transportation for field trips 
• Safety equipment 
• Food and beverages for the end-of-program celebration 

Students will also meet professionals from: 

• Cumming Nature Center
• Finger Lakes Community College (Muller Field Station)
• Finger Lakes Land Trust (Wesley Hill Nature Preserve)
• Ganondagan State Historic Site (Seneca Art and Culture Center)
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area)
• New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area) 
• The Nature Conservancy (Hickory Ridge Preserve)

How to apply

Applications open April 1 and close June 20. Applicants will hear of their acceptance no later than Wednesday, June 24. 

Students must submit a letter of recommendation as part of the application. 

Apply for the program 

What to bring 

If selected, participants must bring: 

• Water bottle and packed lunch (daily) 
• Sunscreen and insect repellent 
• Backpack 
• Appropriate hiking clothing and footwear 
• Linens and overnight items for bunkhouse stay (Days 7-8) 

 

For any questions, please contact the Muller Field Station Program Manager Teresa Pietrusinski at Teresa.Pietrusinski@flcc.edu.