John Jablonski III
The North American Lake Management Society recognized John Jablonski III of Lakewood with its “Lake Management Success Story Appreciation Award” for his accomplishments with the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, at the 44th International Symposium of the Society at South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Nev. in November.
Each year, members from the North American Lake Management Society community nominate their peers for a variety of awards to highlight achievements in lake management and service to NALMS. Nominations are reviewed, and a winner is selected for each award by the board of directors.
At the awards session, Michelle Balmer, spokesperson of the awards committee stated, “John has been the visionary and passionate co-founder who conceptualized and led the creation of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Inc. in New York State, serving as its first president in 1990 and then executive director for 30 years. Under John’s remarkable tenure, the conservancy succeeded in protecting over 1,200 acres of woodlands, wetlands, shorelands, and waterways in the Chautauqua area and creating 33 local nature preserves, all of which are open to the public for outdoor recreation, enjoyment, and refreshment.”
“Notably, John drafted grants and proposals facilitating State investments of over $9.5 million (such as the Cheney and Stow Farm Lakeshores, as well as Midway Park) to conserve local open space and outdoor recreation assets and has conceptualized, packaged, and/or facilitated multiple watershed land conservation and water quality projects across Chautauqua County. Over two miles of the Chautauqua Lake shoreline and Lake Outlet were conserved through his efforts. His longtime leadership, strategic planning, technical expertise, and passion for the natural world have greatly benefited our community in myriad ways. Now widely recognized and regarded for its promotion of best practices in land, wildlife, and water resource management, the Conservancy has helped inspire countless others to better understand and appreciate the connection between ecologically healthy waters and habitats, healthy people, higher quality of life, and the economic prosperity of the Chautauqua region.”
Although Jablonski stepped down from the executive director position in 2023, he continues to serve the Conservancy and lake community as the Conservancy’s Special Projects Coordinator, focusing on impactful habitat and waterway conservation and restoration projects. John also continues to serve on the board of the New York State Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA).
He holds degrees in Natural Resources from Cornell University and Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a concentration in water resources. He is an avid fisherman and boater on Chautauqua Lake and other waters and an enthusiastic advocate for healthy recreational waterways, people, and wildlife.