Hundreds of Central New Yorkers View Spectacular Images of Birds and Other Returning Wildlife
Dozens of breathtaking images of songbirds, eagles, waterfowl, and other wildlife were on display at Audubon New York’s “Images of a Recovering Onondaga Lake” photography exhibit April 25-26 at the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center. The exhibit provided an opportunity for hundreds of community members to connect to Onondaga Lake through the lenses of local photographers.
Audubon New York and Honeywell organized the exhibit in partnership with theĀ Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps.
Click to view photographs that were on display at the exhibit.
Habitat restoration is key to a healthy, sustainable Onondaga Lake. Habitat improvements enhance the quality and diversity of habitat and improve water quality. Improvements create a sustainable system, resulting in healthier ecosystems for fish and wildlife while improving the diversity and abundance of species.
Honeywell is planting about 1.1 million plants, shrubs, and trees to enhance habitat for fish and wildlife. To date, 44 acres of wetlands have been restored at Geddes Brook, Harbor Brook, Nine Mile Creek, and the former LCP Chemicals site, and along Onondaga Lake’s western shoreline. And over 320,000 native plants have been planted.
More than 110 species of fish, birds, and mammals have returned to the restored wetlands and nearby areas, including mink, beaver, wild turkey, bald eagles, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, snapping turtles, pied-billed grebe, great heron, osprey, brown trout, and sunfish. Onondaga Lake became an Important Bird Area in 1998 and was subsequently co-adopted by Montezuma Audubon Center, Onondaga Audubon Society, and Honeywell because of its value to waterfowl.
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps seeks to inspire future stewards of Onondaga Lake and its watershed through a hands-on, experience-based program that offers citizens and organizations the opportunity to participate in activities that help restore and sustain Onondaga Lake and its value as an Important Bird Area. Since its formation in 2012, more than 500 community members have participated in Corps events. Founding partners of the Corps include Audubon New York, Montezuma Audubon Center, Onondaga Audubon Society, Parsons, O’Brien & Gere, and Honeywell.
To learn more about the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps or participate in future activities, please contact montezuma@audubon.org or call 315-365-3588. Schools, community groups, local organizations, and individuals are welcome. Like the Corps on Facebook or visit YouTube to learn more.
For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, visit www.lakecleanup.com.