Lake Chelan Research Institute director receives state lake protection award

BELLINGHAM — Philip E. Long, director of the Lake Chelan Research Institute, has received the Washington Lakes Protection Association's 2026 Secchi Disk Award for his contributions to lake research, water quality and environmental stewardship.

Long received the award Oct. 7 during the association's annual conference in Bellingham. The award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the science, management or protection of lakes in Washington or Idaho.

Chelan County Natural Resources Director Mike Kaputa nominated Long for the recognition, citing his work bringing together researchers, community leaders and volunteers to advance scientific understanding and water-quality protection efforts at Lake Chelan.

“Dr. Phil Long has single-handedly brought together well-regarded scientists, local community leaders, and volunteers to advance the science and application of water-quality practices at Lake Chelan,” Kaputa said. “Lake Chelan is a jewel of Washington and now has several related water-quality science and protection efforts in place, with many more to come because of Phil’s efforts.”

Nate Hough-Snee of Meadow Run Environmental and the Lake Chelan Research Institute presented the award to Long at the conference.

Hough-Snee described Long as the “hub of environmental research on Lake Chelan,” citing his connections with scientists and other collaborators involved in research and stewardship projects.

Long credited his colleagues, volunteers, donors and agency partners for supporting the institute's work.

“I am humbled to receive this award when I consider the contributions of previous recipients,” Long said. “I am grateful to my colleagues; to organizations such as the Chelan County Public Utility District; and to the individuals who donate to LCRI or volunteer their time. Lake Chelan is vastly understudied compared with other highly valued lakes, including Flathead Lake in Montana and Lake Tahoe in California and Nevada. We are working to change that with growing support from individual donations and agency grants.”

Long founded the Lake Chelan Research Institute in 2016 in collaboration with Kaputa and the Chelan County Natural Resources Department. The organization conducts and coordinates research focused on Lake Chelan, working with scientists, volunteers, donors and government agencies.

Long holds a bachelor's degree in geology from the University of Washington and a doctorate in geology from Stanford University.

Before establishing the institute, he conducted research at two national laboratories on subjects ranging from the cooling histories of lava flows to the role of subsurface microorganisms in uranium remediation.

His scientific work has been published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has received more than 12,800 citations, according to the institute.

The Lake Chelan Research Institute continues to conduct research and coordinate collaborative efforts focused on understanding and protecting the lake's water quality.