5
4
R a r e
a n d
u n i q u e
s p e c i e s
DISCOVERED
a t
O n o n d a g a
L a k e
During the first-ever Onondaga Lake BioBlitz in September 2014, more than
450 living species, including several rare and unique species, were
identified by State University of New York College of Environmental Science
and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) professors and students, and Onondaga Lake
Conservation Corps volunteers.
Led by SUNY-ESF, the BioBlitz, an extensive survey conducted
in 24 hours, provides a snapshot of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds,
fish, insects, fungi, trees, shrubs, and other plants. Scientists say that
snapshot will help them learn more about how to continue restoring this
important landscape. Among the discoveries were a patch of rare American
ginseng, salt-meadow grass, and a naturally reproducing population of
brown trout in Onondaga Creek.
A u d u b o n
N e w
Yo r k
p h o t o g r a p h y e x h i b i t
s h o w c a s e s
l a k e's
RESURGENCE
Nearly 500 Central New Yorkers viewed spectacular images of bald eagles, common
mergansers, American black ducks, and other waterfowl at Audubon New York's
"Birds of Onondaga Lake" photography exhibit in spring 2014 at the Onondaga Lake
Visitors Center. Audubon New York hosted the exhibit with support from Honeywell
and the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps. Onondaga Lake became an Important
Bird Area in 1997 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
returned to the wetlands
to see how volunteers
helped create a home
for more than 65 fish
and wildlife species.
C o m m u n i t y v o l u n t e e r s
p r e s e r v e
a n d
PROTECT
O n o n d a g a L a k e
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, hundreds of community members
have participated in Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps events.
More than 500 volunteers have planted more than 4,500 native
plants, trees, and shrubs at wetlands adjacent to Nine Mile Creek,
Geddes Brook, and Harbor Brook, and along Onondaga Lake's
western shoreline. Founding partners of the Corps include Audubon
New York, Montezuma Audubon Center, Onondaga Audubon Society,
Parsons, O'Brien & Gere, and Honeywell. Schools, community
groups, local organizations, and individuals are welcome.
To learn more or participate in future activities, please
contact
montezuma@audubon.org or call 315.365.3588.
For more information visit us at:
"
ESF has been thrilled with the opportunity to work
with Honeywell to restore the habitats around the lake.
It really is one of the greatest sources of hope today.
Quentin Wheeler, Ph.D., SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry President
"
I have lived in Geddes my entire
life. I never thought the lake
would change in my lifetime.
The water is cleaner and wildlife
is returning; rare species are
now calling Onondaga Lake
`home.' The future is bright.
Paul Marconi, Onondaga Lake
Conservation Corps Volunteer
The remediation
of Onondaga Lake
and adjacent waters
and lands will make
this area one of
the most interesting
landscapes in
upstate New York.
Donald Leopold, Ph.D.,
SUNY-ESF Professor
"
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