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Otsego Lake Steward Retires

Harman Reflects on 50+ Years as Head of SUNY Field Station

DR. BILL HARMANPhoto provided

By ELIZABETH COOPERCOOPERSTOWN

It’s the end of an era. Dr. Willard “Bill” Harman, who has headed SUNY Oneonta’s Biological Field Station on the shores of Otsego Lake for 56 years, is retiring.

He is 86 years old and has dedicated most of his life to studying and protecting Glimmerglass, and teaching students to do the same for freshwater ecosystems across America and even in Europe.

Glimmerglass is beloved by area residents for its natural beauty and cool waters. It is also a tourism magnet and economic driver for many businesses. And it is the source of drinking water for the Village of Cooperstown. So, keeping the lake healthy is important on many levels and Harman and his team have earned the gratitude of many in the community for their tireless work.

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