During Wednesday’s Rose Café,  Andy Zepp came in to discuss his work with the Finger Lakes Land Trust. It was interesting to learn about his work preserving nature. I did not know that the run-off from agriculture land was affecting lakes. It was interesting to learn that algae bloom was caused by excess phosphate from the run-off of agriculture lands. It has a large ecological effect. It is not good for the environment and ecosystem for there to be toxic algae blooms that create dead spaces and are harmful. It is important to protect the environment and our surroundings because we are living in the area and should make it a good place for not only us to live in, but also for the local animals and plants to thrive in as well. We have a responsibility for caring and protecting our surroundings. It was also interesting to learn the impacts that the salt we use on the ground during the winter can impact Cayuga Lake. I never thought about where all the salt that we use during the winter ends up. Although there currently are no visible effects, salt should be used with the possible effects in mind and alternative to salt that does not have a strong environmental impact should be used instead. During the summer, I would love to visit the places that the Finger Lakes Land Trust has helped to protect and preserve.