June 7, 2023 - Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon opened a new fishing pier at Onondaga Lake on May 24, 2023. The fishing pier provides anglers the ability to fish into deeper waters in search of the lake’s trophy fish such as large and smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, and an array of other fish. The new fishing pier is adjacent to Onondaga County’s Loop-the-Lake Recreation Trail.

“Today marks another great step in the historic restoration of Onondaga Lake. This fishing pier is a great example of how meaningful community engagement can create real and tangible projects that benefit the Central New York community,” said Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. “I want to thank Honeywell and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for their focus on soliciting public input during the remediation of Onondaga Lake and to the Fish & Wildlife Service and the great staff at County Parks for their hard work in making this project a reality.”

The fishing pier extends nearly 100 feet into deeper sections of Onondaga Lake, making fishing accessible to people without a boat.

“The new deep water fishing pier enhances the Onondaga Lake experience for all and we commend this partnership for creating an important access opportunity,” said Acting DEC Region 7 Director Dereth Glance. “Local angler participation propelled the idea for the deep water pier to promote more fishing opportunities. We thank Onondaga County for managing the new pier, which is one project among many that restores public access to the bountiful recreational opportunities provided by the lake.”

Early in the lake restoration planning process, Honeywell, in partnership with DEC, created a Habitat Working Group consisting of local habitat, conservation, and community organizations. Over several years, opinions and perspectives from these groups helped identify how the public wanted to use a restored Onondaga Lake. Expanding fishing access for people without the use of a boat came as a direct result of the community Habitat Working Group recommendations.

“Public input has always been the cornerstone of Honeywell’s engagement with the community. Habitat and lake enthusiasts provided thoughtful and valuable input for how to create expanded fishing access to anglers of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities,” said Shane Blauvelt, Honeywell’s Senior Remediation Manager. “The Central New York community has embraced a restored Onondaga Lake and thousands of people are coming back to the lake and its shoreline for fishing, boating, and Onondaga County’s Loop-the-Lake trail.”

The new deep water fishing pier can be accessed from I-690 in Geddes along the southwest lakeshore. A parking lot is adjacent to the pier.

The fishing pier is one of several projects completed providing greater public access to Onondaga Lake and its shores.

These projects are being done as part of an agreement among Honeywell, Onondaga County, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and DEC to restore and protect wildlife habitat and water quality, and to enhance recreational opportunities.

As part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup, Honeywell has restored about 150 acres of wetlands and about 1.1 million native plants are being planted. More than 290 wildlife species are now calling these areas home, and over 140 unique bird species have been identified in and around Onondaga Lake. Honeywell also is working with federal and state government officials on additional projects to restore and protect wildlife habitats and enhance recreational opportunities, including creating 100 acres of new native grassland habitat and conserving about 1,600 acres within the watershed.

Settling Basins 9-15 Closure Plan
Virtual Public Meeting/Public Comment

A virtual public meeting was held on May 25, 2021. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with a 30-minute presentation followed by Q&A.

Comments were accepted at the public meeting and during the public comment period that began on May 12, 2021 and ended on June 11, 2021.

Honeywell hosted a May 25^th public meeting and provided a Fact Sheet to inform the public about ongoing and upcoming closure activities at Settling Basins 9-15 located on approximately 662 acres in Camillus and Geddes, New York. The Settling Basins are near Interstate 690, NYS Route 695, State Fair Boulevard, and the New York State Fairgrounds.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Honeywell entered into a Consent Order for Settling Basins 9-15 (referred to in the Consent Order as Wastebeds) on December 6, 2010 and amended in December 2014.

The Consent Order identifies activities required for the successful closure of the Settling Basins including implementation of a Closure Plan incorporating an effective cover system. Significant progress has been made over the last decade.

Please see the Setting Basins 9-15 Fact Sheet and the Public Meeting Documents below.

Public Meeting Documents:

Consent Order [PDF]
Consent Order Amendment [PDF]
Closure Investigation Report [PDF]
Site Closure Plan [PDF]
Off-Site Surrounding Affected Area Restoration Plan [PDF]
Operation & Maintenance Plan [PDF]
Performance Verification Plan [PDF]
Shrub Willow Sustainable Remedy PDI Report [PDF]
Inland Salt Marsh Interim Measure Report [PDF]
Closure Investigation Data Evaluation Report [PDF]
Alternate Solar Closure Plan [PDF]

Bikers Joan Schmitkons (left) and Tom Schmitkons (right) ride along the new trail extension near the Harbor Brook area.

Left: Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon (right) and New York State Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli (left) announcing the new trail extension on the southwestern shore of Onondaga Lake.
Right: The Loop-the-Lake Trail now extends nearly nine miles from Liverpool to Harbor Brook.

“The successful completion of the new trail extension marks another day of progress in the community. After almost 100 years, and as the result of an amazing public-private partnership, the public has access to and can enjoy this part of Onondaga Lake,” said Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. “I want to thank and commend Honeywell for their collaboration and commitment to the lake, and for helping to reopen this body of water back to the public in ways it hasn’t been for generations.”

The new Loop-the-Lake Trail extension passes through wetlands where Honeywell has planted a variety of native plant species.

The Loop-the-Lake Trail extension (also called the Southwest Shore Recreation Trail Project) is one of several Natural Resource Damage Restoration projects on the Southwest Lakeshore; also included are improved fishing access, an angler parking lot, and the future installation of a deep-water fishing pier. These projects are being done as part of an agreement among Honeywell, Onondaga County, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to restore and protect wildlife habitat and water quality, and to enhance recreational opportunities.

As part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup, Honeywell has already restored about 90 acres of wetlands and about 1.1 million native plants are being planted. More than 270 wildlife species are now calling these areas home, and over 135 unique bird species have been identified in and around Onondaga Lake. Honeywell also is working with federal and state government officials on additional projects to restore and protect wildlife habitats and enhance recreational opportunities, including creating 100 acres of new native grassland habitat and conserving about 1,600 acres within the watershed.

Thousands of Central New York families participated in and learned about a number of outdoor recreational opportunities during the 2019 Honeywell Sportsmen’s Days. The Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs hosted the annual event September 28 and 29 at Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery in Elbridge. The event was created as a tribute to National Hunting and Fishing Day and is one of the largest celebrations of its kind in New York State, featuring several hands-on activities, engaging presentations, and information on new local projects.

Community members of all ages enjoyed outdoor activities with local woodsmen and sports enthusiasts, including archery, fly fishing, trout fishing, canoeing, and turkey calling. Professional fishermen answered questions and offered tips, and attendees had the chance to meet conservation officers and forest rangers who made guest appearances throughout the weekend.

Left: Grace Millet, 9, of Liverpool, fishes for trout in the public fishing pond at Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery.
Right: Six-year-old Robert Murray, of Elbridge, tries his hand at archery with instruction by Jim Kilmartin from the Clay Sportsman’s Club.

Central New York residents learned about outdoor recreation, and habitat and wildlife conservation, through presentations and displays by area wildlife artists, professional chefs, Hall of Fame sportsmen, and retriever and pointer dog trainers. Experts led demonstrations and hosted displays on live pheasants, birds of prey, survival skills, and taxidermy.

Left: Six-year-old Dexter Rinaldi, of Warners, paddles a canoe across the pond with his father, Damian. “This is a good family event. There is lots to learn and do,” said Damian Rinaldi, who attended Honeywell Sportsmen’s Days this year for the first time.
Right: New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame President Stephen Wowelko demonstrates fileting and cooking pickerel, one of many cooking demonstrations that took place throughout the weekend.

Left: Ten-year-old Allison Darling, of Auburn, prepares to throw a hatchet while keeping her eye on the target in the hatchet-throwing area.
Right: Walden Schild, 5, of Liverpool, reels in his line while trout fishing. Walden is already an avid fan of fishing.

At its booth, Honeywell shared information about joining the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, updated attendees on habitat restoration progress achieved as part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup, and shared information about new recreational and ecological projects underway. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are overseeing the implementation of a series of projects to restore and protect wildlife habitat and water quality, and increase recreational opportunities at Onondaga Lake.

Project highlights include connecting the Erie Canal Trail from Camillus to Onondaga Lake, extending the Loop-the-Lake trail, creating 100 acres of native grassland habitat, providing increased access for fishing and recreation, and preserving wetlands, restoring habitat, and conserving more than 1,400 acres within the Onondaga Lake watershed.

Left: Property along the Seneca River was developed for use as a public boat launch, featuring a concrete boat ramp, floating boat dock, a platform compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, and a parking area.
Right: Rendering of the future Kenneth P. Lynch Boat Launch at Onondaga Lake for trailered motorboats and car-top boats such as canoes and kayaks. Lynch is a retired DEC Executive Deputy Commissioner and former DEC Region 7 Director. The free, public boat launch will be located off of Exit 7 on I-690 West and is expected to open in 2020.

Bill Lansley (left), Onondaga County Parks Commissioner and President of the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, gives Honeywell’s John McAuliffe a tour of the trout ponds at Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery.

“The Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and other local habitat and conservation groups have shared valuable feedback with Honeywell that has helped shape habitat restoration efforts and recreational access at Onondaga Lake and its tributaries,” said John McAuliffe, Honeywell Remediation Director, Design and Construction. “This event provides a wonderful opportunity for community members to enjoy recreational activities in our own backyard.”

“Honeywell Sportsmen’s Days showcases local conservation efforts and outdoor sports for thousands of Central New York families,” said Bill Lansley, Onondaga County Parks Commissioner and Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs President. “Honeywell’s partnership with our member organizations and Onondaga County Parks is critical to the success of this annual event.”

View more photographs of Honeywell Sportsmen’s Days at Carpenter’s Brook.

For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit www.lakecleanup.com.

Community members are invited to attend free open houses at the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center on Fridays from 12-4:30 p.m. through November. To date, more than 20,000 people have toured the center and learned about the lake cleanup firsthand.

“As life residents of the lake vicinity it’s wonderful to see the transformation of Onondaga Lake,” said Jim and Mary Hettler, of Pennellville, New York. “As naturalists and bird watchers the return of many species to the area is especially encouraging. The Visitors Center is a must-see for anyone interested in the resurgence of Onondaga Lake and the contribution it makes to the Syracuse area.”

The Visitors Center was designed and built by Honeywell to provide public access to the significant work that has taken place. It is located in Geddes along the southwest shoreline of Onondaga Lake.

As part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup, Honeywell has already restored about 90 acres of wetlands and about 1.1 million native plants are being planted. More than 260 wildlife species are now calling these areas home, and 130 unique bird species have been identified in and around Onondaga Lake. Honeywell also is working with federal and state government on additional projects to restore and protect wildlife habitats and enhance recreational opportunities, including creating 100 acres of new native grassland habitat and conserving about 1,600 acres within the watershed.

In 2015, Honeywell received Audubon New York’s Thomas W. Keesee, Jr. Conservation Award for its leadership in the cleanup, “one of the most ambitious environmental reclamation projects in the United States.”

From significant improvements in water quality to the return of native plants and animals, the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center allows community members to see the progress being made to restore the natural beauty and value of Onondaga Lake and its adjacent habitats.

The Onondaga Lake Visitors Center regularly hosts group tours, including school groups. To schedule a group tour, please call 315-552-9751 or submit this form.

TO ACCESS THE VISITORS CENTER: From Points West: Take I-690 East to Exit 7, turn left onto State Fair Boulevard, take the first left passing under I-690, drive straight toward the lake and follow signs to the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center. From Points East: Take I-690 West to Exit 7, turn right at the off ramp and follow signs to the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center.

For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit www.lakecleanup.com.

Local wildlife photographers will display colorful images of birds of prey taken in recently restored and enhanced areas along the Onondaga Lake shoreline at the “Onondaga Lake Birds of Prey” photography exhibit March 30-31. The exhibit will showcase the diverse range of species including bald eagles, osprey, turkey vultures, hawks, owls, and falcons that have returned to Onondaga Lake. The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps is hosting the exhibit in partnership with Honeywell, Audubon New York, and NextEra Energy.

The exhibit runs Saturday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, March 31, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Honeywell’s Onondaga Lake Visitors Center, along the southwest lakeshore in Geddes. The suggested donation is $5/person and $15/family.

Left: “A Fish’s Last View” – Osprey by Walter Freeman.
Right: “Wind Walker” – Bald Eagle by Greg Craybas.

“The resurgence of the bald eagle and other birds of prey at Onondaga Lake is a sign that the lake is coming back to life,” said Chris Lajewski, Montezuma Audubon Center director and Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps director. “An astounding 74 bald eagles were found along the shoreline, sitting on the ice and soaring overhead, during a guided bird-watching event on March 2, making it the largest bald eagle winter roost in a New York State urban environment. Other raptors on the New York State threatened species list, like the northern harrier, have returned to the restored grassland and wetland habitats. Central New Yorkers are taking pride in this community asset once again, and we are proud to showcase these amazing images that tell the story of Onondaga Lake’s revival.”

Visitors will meet the photographers who captured the images and will have an opportunity to look for birds in their natural habitat with experts from the Montezuma Audubon Center and Onondaga Audubon. (Picture is from a previous photography exhibit.)

The images will be for sale and designated smaller sizes can be ordered. All proceeds will benefit Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps bird conservation and environmental education.

“The restoration of Onondaga Lake has surpassed all expectations for photographic opportunities of bald eagles and other birds of prey,” said Greg Craybas, nature photographer. “We are now inspired by the arrival of winter to visit the lake in all conditions to photograph this natural treasure. I have been photographing the lake’s wildlife for nine years, and this year is proving to be the best yet.”

Onondaga Lake became a priority Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA) in 1998 and was subsequently adopted by Honeywell, Montezuma Audubon Center, and Onondaga Audubon because of its value to waterfowl and bald eagles during the winter months. The IBA program serves as a catalyst for achieving bird conservation.

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 IBA. Since its formation in 2012, more than 850 community members have participated in Corps events.

The Corps was founded by Honeywell in partnership with Montezuma Audubon Center and Onondaga Audubon and is now an Audubon New York program. Additional Corps supporters include Parsons, OBG, Anchor QEA, Bond Schoeneck & King, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and Wild Ones Habitat Gardening in CNY Chapter.

As part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup, Honeywell has already restored about 90 acres of wetlands and about 1.1 million native plants are being planted. More than 260 wildlife species are now calling these areas home, and 130 unique bird species have been identified in and around Onondaga Lake. Honeywell also is working with federal and state government on additional projects to restore and protect wildlife habitats and enhance recreational opportunities, including creating 100 acres of new native grassland habitat and conserving about 1,600 acres within the watershed.

To learn more about the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps or participate in future activities, please contact montezuma@audubon.org, visit http://ny.audubon.org/OLCC, or call 315-365-3588. Schools, community groups, local organizations, and individuals are welcome. Like the Corps on Facebook or Instagram, or visit YouTube to learn more.

To access Honeywell’s Onondaga Lake Visitors Center: From Points West: Take I-690 East to Exit 7, turn left onto State Fair Boulevard, take the first left passing under I-690, drive straight toward the lake and follow signs to the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center. From Points East: Take I-690 West to Exit 7, turn right at the off-ramp and follow signs to the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center.

More than 20 community members explored and learned about Onondaga Lake’s recovery on Oct. 20. The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps partnered with the Central New York Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America’s Young Naturalist Leadership Team (YNLT) to record Onondaga Lake’s most recent improvements. Participants found evidence of thriving ecosystems, including 23 unique bird species. Notable bird species observed include bald eagle, white-throated sparrow, and ruby-crowned kinglet. Other significant finds included coyote tracks; white waterlily, which creates habitat in deep-water areas; and young-of-year largemouth bass, which indicate that fish are spawning in Onondaga Lake.

Left: Botanist Joe McMullen (center) shows Joe and Jan Hansen (left), of Liverpool, and YNLT member Kate Abbott (right) characteristics of plants found in wetlands along the southwest shoreline of Onondaga Lake. Young trees seen in the wetlands included swamp white oak, sycamore, and red maple.
Right: Autumn Keefe, of Syracuse, observes a cattail seed pod during a scavenger hunt to inventory plant species.

Throughout the event, participants worked with the Young Naturalist Leadership Team and habitat experts from Onondaga Audubon, OBG, and Parsons to inventory species found in the recently restored habitat areas at Harbor Brook, and the southwest and western shorelines of Onondaga Lake. The observations will be compiled with other data being collected by wetland ecologists to understand conditions of recently restored areas in the Onondaga Lake watershed. Participants also learned about aspects of maintaining a healthy ecosystem, such as pond ecology, the importance of macroinvertebrates to the environment, and creating seed bags for the wetlands, which are made of topsoil, small stones, and seeds placed in a small biodegradable burlap bag.

Tracy Willey (center), Biology Teacher at Westhill High School, examines and identifies macroinvertebrates with Tom Hughes (left), YNLT volunteer and Natural Resource Steward Biologist with New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and Katie Moranz (right), a wetland ecologist at Parsons. Macroinvertebrates found included mayfly nymphs, scuds, caddisfly larvae, daphnia, and water beetles.
“The experience today monitoring pond water quality along the western shoreline of Onondaga Lake was amazing,” said Willey. “When we scooped out material from the wetland, it didn’t look like there was anything there. But as we sat still and waited, a variety of tiny organisms emerged from the vegetation. I came today out of curiosity to see what’s here and it was a privilege to take part. I can bring this information back to the classroom.”

Left: Sisters Evie (left) and Autumn Keefe, of Syracuse, take turns tossing burlap seed bags containing pickerelweed seeds into the wetlands.
Right: YNLT member Candace Schermerhorn (center) removes fish from a seine net for closer observation with Matt McDonough (left) and Jim Molloy, of Parsons. Species found included banded killifish, emerald shiner, and rock bass.

Onondaga Community College student Kaitlyn Jordan (left), and Alivia Sheffield, YNLT volunteer and Piping Plover Project Coordinator with the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation, examine a shed snakeskin found in a wetland area on the western shoreline.
“Understanding and knowing the past of this area, it was incredible the amount of biodiversity we were able to find, from small macroinvertebrates to bald eagles and coyote prints,” said Sheffield. “This ecosystem is starting to thrive once again. Saturday not only showed that, but that the community cares and is willing to put in the effort to keep it that way.”

On the shores of Onondaga Lake and along its tributaries, about 90 acres of wetlands have been restored by Honeywell and about 1.1 million native plants are being planted. Nearly 260 wildlife species have been identified in and around Onondaga Lake, including more than 120 unique bird species.

The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps is an expanding organization of community volunteers who are contributing to restoration projects that are creating, improving, and monitoring wildlife habitat in the Onondaga Lake watershed and sustaining its value as an Audubon Important Bird Area.

Since the formation of the Corps, over 30 events have brought together nearly 850 volunteers who have become environmental stewards and Corps members. In recognition of their work, the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps was awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2015 Environmental Champion Award.

The Corps was founded in 2012 by Honeywell in partnership with Montezuma Audubon Center and Onondaga Audubon and is now an Audubon New York program. Additional Corps supporters include Parsons, OBG, Anchor QEA, Bond Schoeneck & King, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and Wild Ones Habitat Gardening in CNY Chapter.

To learn more about the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps or participate in future activities, please contact montezuma@audubon.org, visit http://ny.audubon.org/OLCC, www.facebook.com/onondagalakecc, or www.youtube.com/onondagalakecc, or @onondagalakecc on Instagram, or call 315-365-3588.

View more photographs of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps.

Forty-three volunteers gathered along the future home of the Loop the Lake Trail extension Saturday, September 29, to build and install bird boxes, and participate in citizen science monitoring. The volunteers are part of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, an expanding organization of community volunteers who are contributing to restoration projects that are creating or improving wildlife habitat in the Onondaga Lake watershed. The volunteers built nearly 30 bluebird nesting boxes, which were provided through a partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and FORCES (Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship).

Left: First-time Corps volunteers Ian (left), 6, and mom Rebecca Margiotta, of Baldwinsville, construct a wooden nesting box to attract Eastern bluebirds.
Right: Deborah and David Holihan (left), of Liverpool, install a bird box near Harbor Brook.

The boxes offer bird species a better chance to survive and thrive, reducing declines in population and restoring species to places they once inhabited. When birds nest in the structures, they have the best likelihood of raising their young successfully.

Tom Hughes (right), Natural Resource Steward Biologist with New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, demonstrates how to construct bird boxes.
“We at New York State Parks are committed to conservation efforts within our communities,” said Hughes. “Constructing and installing bluebird nesting boxes is one way we can all work together to create or enhance habitat for New York’s official state bird.”

Left: Kathy Chapin (left), of East Syracuse, installs a nesting box with Onondaga Audubon volunteer Frank Moses (right) along the southwest shoreline of Onondaga Lake.
Right: Three-year-old Eleanor Sunkes, of East Syracuse, decorates a bird box held by Barbara Kamerance, of Central Square, before it is placed in the field.

During the event, Corps members tracked native birds on a birding walk along Onondaga Lake’s western and southwest shorelines, and cleaned out existing nesting boxes to prepare them for the next breeding season.

Ten-year-old Leah Jarrett (right), of Liverpool, inspects the contents of a nesting box previously installed along the western shoreline with her parents Cathy (center) and Rich Jarrett.

Left: Liam Adams (left), 13, and mom Heather Adams, of Cicero, track native birds along the western shoreline of Onondaga Lake.
Right: Steve Mooney (center), Managing Scientist at OBG, examines the restored habitat with participants Steven Knowles (right), of Camillus, and Tim Gordon (left).

As part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup, Honeywell has restored about 90 acres of wetlands, and about 1.1 million native plants are being planted. The restored wetlands have become home to nearly 260 wildlife species, including more than 120 unique bird species that have been identified in and around Onondaga Lake.

The 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 the formation of the Corps, over 30 events have brought together more than 800 volunteers who have become environmental stewards and Corps members. In recognition of their work, the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps was awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2015 Environmental Champion Award.

The Corps was founded in 2012 by Honeywell in partnership with Montezuma Audubon Center and Onondaga Audubon and is now an Audubon New York program. Additional Corps supporters include Parsons, OBG, Anchor QEA, Bond Schoeneck & King, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and Wild Ones Habitat Gardening in CNY Chapter.

To learn more about the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, visit http://ny.audubon.org/OLCC, www.facebook.com/onondagalakecc, or www.youtube.com/onondagalakecc.

View more photographs of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps.

For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit www.lakecleanup.com.

Thousands of people learned about outdoor recreational activities, and habitat and wildlife conservation, during Honeywell Sportsmen’s Days at Carpenter’s Brook September 22 and 23. The annual event, which features activities including fishing, archery, canoeing, turkey calling, and skeet shooting, is hosted by the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and is a celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Left: Cousins Camden Davis (front), of Baldwinsville, and Ben Benson, of Syracuse, paddle a canoe in the pond at Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery.
Right: Six-year-old Grayson LaGrow, of Skaneateles, holds a trout caught in the public fishing pond at Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery.

Attendees learned about progress achieved on habitat restoration as part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup. They also learned how to join the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, an expanding organization of community volunteers who are contributing to restoration projects that are creating or improving habitat for fish, birds, and other wildlife in the Onondaga Lake watershed.

Left: “This is the first time we’ve attended this event,” said Heather Williams (left), of Red Creek, pictured with 4-year-old Jayce and husband Dylan. “We participate in outdoor recreational activities and it was nice our son could learn from outdoors experts at Honeywell Sportsmen’s Days.”
Right: Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe (right) baits his hook while visiting with volunteer Joan Gilfilian, of Marietta.

“Local habitat and conservation groups, including the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, have provided valuable input to Honeywell about opportunities to increase recreational use of Onondaga Lake and its tributaries,” said McAuliffe. “We are now seeing the results in areas like Nine Mile Creek, which has become a thriving ecosystem that is open to the public for canoeing and kayaking.”

Left: Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs President Tom Merrill (right) and McAuliffe (center) greet participant John Sharon (left), of Jamesville, at Honeywell Sportsmen’s Days.
Right: Thirteen-year-old Allison Dougherty, of Liverpool, learns how to use a crossbow from Onondaga County Parks Commissioner Bill Lansley.

Local wildlife artists, woodsmen, authors, and sports enthusiasts presented a number of outdoor activities including: canoeing, skeet shooting, waterfowl and turkey calling, archery, crossbow, fly fishing, fly tying, muzzle loading, and trout fishing. Other weekend events included guest appearances by conservation officers and forest rangers.

“The Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, in cooperation with the Onondaga County Parks Department, and with continuing support from Honeywell, proudly presents Honeywell Sportsmen’s Days at Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery,” said Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs President Tom Merrill. “Thanks to our member clubs and organizations we are able to produce this event, giving people of all ages and backgrounds a chance to try outdoor activities while providing them with an opportunity to learn about improvements to our local environment.”

Left: Seven-year-old Brielle Buxton (center), of Cicero, checks out a pelt at the living history site with her mom Colleen Buxton (right) and brother Owen (left), 8.
Right: Seven-year-old Maddison Perkins, of Syracuse, tries archery with help from Mark Schmid, of the Pompey Rod & Gun Club.

View more photographs of Honeywell Sportsmen’s Days at Carpenter’s Brook.

For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit www.lakecleanup.com.

Central New York community members enjoyed enhanced wetland areas and wildlife as they explored Nine Mile Creek and near-shore areas of Onondaga Lake in canoes and kayaks on Saturday, August 11. Nine Mile Creek is a thriving ecosystem and part of a green corridor connecting Onondaga Lake to upland areas as a result of Honeywell’s remediation and restoration work.

Left: Participants paddle from the public Nine Mile Creek canoe and kayak launch off of Pumphouse Road in Geddes to Onondaga Lake.
Right: Taylor (front) and Pamela Jones, of Baldwinsville, paddle down Nine Mile Creek.

The event was hosted by the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps. During the paddle, participants became citizen scientists as they learned about the enhanced wetlands at Nine Mile Creek and Onondaga Lake and how they are supporting the Onondaga Lake watershed and its value as an Important Bird Area. Habitat experts from Montezuma Audubon Center, Onondaga Audubon Society, Parsons, and Honeywell shared their expertise and discussed the enhancements made to Nine Mile Creek.

“The paddle was an amazing opportunity to see how much work has been done and learn why specific species were planted,” said participant John Scott, pictured above. “Seeing the habitat growth in the restored areas and the wildlife that has returned was incredible.”

The restoration of Nine Mile Creek included restoring forested wetlands, enhancing stream conditions for fish spawning and migration, and improving habitat along the creek. Thirty acres have been transformed into diverse new habitat, a healthier creek, and improved access for recreation. Nine Mile Creek is now home to more than 145 fish and wildlife species, including beaver, muskrat, white-tailed deer, bald eagle, and northern pike. The area is playing a significant role in creating a healthy Onondaga Lake watershed and a sustainable ecosystem.

The creek is open to the public for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.

Watch a video to learn about the restored Nine Mile Creek.

Left: Along the course, participants identified 26 bird species, including great blue heron (pictured above), osprey, indigo bunting, green heron, belted kingfisher, and common yellowthroat.
Right: Jill and Marena Russo, of Baldwinsville, paddle in kayaks.

“As Onondaga Lake’s recovery continues, the community is enthusiastic about opportunities to use the lake,” said Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe. “The restoration work completed at Nine Mile Creek and along the shores of Onondaga Lake is providing increased recreational opportunities and lake access for the Central New York community.”

Nine Mile Creek is one of the primary tributaries of Onondaga Lake, flowing north and east through Camillus and entering Onondaga Lake as it passes under the Onondaga County West Shore Trail extension. The remediation of Nine Mile Creek was performed under the oversight of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

On the shores of Onondaga Lake and along the lake’s tributaries, Honeywell has improved nearly 90 acres of wetlands, and is planting about 1.1 million plants, trees, and shrubs.

View a Nine Mile Creek wetlands plant list.

The Corps was founded in 2012 by Honeywell in partnership with Montezuma Audubon Center and Onondaga Audubon Society. Additional Corps supporters include Anchor QEA, Audubon New York, Bond Schoeneck & King, Habitat Gardening in Central New York, OBG, Parsons, and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Since the formation of the Corps, 21 events have brought together more than 800 volunteers who have become environmental stewards and Corps members. In recognition of their work, the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps was awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2015 Environmental Champion Award.

To learn more about the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, visit http://ny.audubon.org/OLCC, www.facebook.com/onondagalakecc, or www.youtube.com/onondagalakecc.

View more photographs of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps.

For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit www.lakecleanup.com.