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Onondaga County Executive Opens New Deep Water Fishing Pier at Onondaga Lake

Onondaga County Executive Opens New Deep Water Fishing Pier at Onondaga Lake

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Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps

To learn more about the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps or participate in future activities, please contact Chris Lajewski at montezuma@audubon.org or call 315-365-3588.

Home » Gallery "Lake Habitat"

Photos & Videos: Lake Habitat

Taylor Jones, of Baldwinsville, shoots photos of water lilies in bloom. The water lilies were Taylor’s “favorite” on the paddle, along with “all the birds.”

August 2018 - Taylor Jones, of Baldwinsville, shoots photos of water lilies in bloom. The water lilies were Taylor’s “favorite” on the paddle, along with “all the birds.”
Participants spot an Osprey flying overhead. Twenty-six bird species were recorded during the paddle, including Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee and Common Yellowthroat.

August 2018 - Participants spot an Osprey flying overhead. Twenty-six bird species were recorded during the paddle, including Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee and Common Yellowthroat.
More than 18 acres of in-lake and shoreline wetlands were created near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek in 2016 as part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup.

August 2018 - More than 18 acres of in-lake and shoreline wetlands were created near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek in 2016 as part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup.
A Great Egret (center) takes flight. Several were spotted during the paddle. Great Egrets were rarely seen at Onondaga Lake prior to habitat restoration.

August 2018 - A Great Egret (center) takes flight. Several were spotted during the paddle. Great Egrets were rarely seen at Onondaga Lake prior to habitat restoration.
Numerous waterfowl are seen in the in-lake wetlands near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek.

August 2018 - Numerous waterfowl are seen in the in-lake wetlands near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek.
Forty-five community volunteers gathered on Saturday, May 5, to participate in citizen science monitoring in restored habitat areas around Onondaga Lake.

May 2018 - Forty-five community volunteers gathered on Saturday, May 5, to participate in citizen science monitoring in restored habitat areas around Onondaga Lake.
A juvenile sunfish is measured before being returned to the lake.

May 2018 - A juvenile sunfish is measured before being returned to the lake.
Two habitat experts use a seine net, moving parallel to the southwest shoreline, to capture fish and other creatures for identification.

May 2018 - Two habitat experts use a seine net, moving parallel to the southwest shoreline, to capture fish and other creatures for identification.
Macroinvertebrates include worms, insect larvae, crayfish, snails, mollusks, and similar small organisms that are an essential part of an ecosystem’s food chain.

May 2018 - Macroinvertebrates include worms, insect larvae, crayfish, snails, mollusks, and similar small organisms that are an essential part of an ecosystem’s food chain.
D-frame nets work well to sample macroinvertebrates on stream or pond bottoms. The health, abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates are indicators of a water body’s health.

May 2018 - D-frame nets work well to sample macroinvertebrates on stream or pond bottoms. The health, abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates are indicators of a water body’s health.
Citizen science volunteers use iNaturalist, a nature app, to record species.

May 2018 - Citizen science volunteers use iNaturalist, a nature app, to record species.
After observation, all fish including this juvenile yellow perch are returned to the Geddes Brook wetlands pond.

May 2018 - After observation, all fish including this juvenile yellow perch are returned to the Geddes Brook wetlands pond.
Seven-year-old Josh Gates watches as captured organisms are transferred into a bucket of water for further observation.

May 2018 - Seven-year-old Josh Gates watches as captured organisms are transferred into a bucket of water for further observation.
Mark Arrigo, Corps volunteer and scientist with Parsons, reels in a minnow trap set earlier to catch small fish and other species.

May 2018 - Mark Arrigo, Corps volunteer and scientist with Parsons, reels in a minnow trap set earlier to catch small fish and other species.
Binoculars and a spotting scope are tools used to help identify water bird species out on the lake.

May 2018 - Binoculars and a spotting scope are tools used to help identify water bird species out on the lake.
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps was formed to inspire future stewards of Onondaga Lake through experience-based programs such as citizen science monitoring.

May 2018 - The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps was formed to inspire future stewards of Onondaga Lake through experience-based programs such as citizen science monitoring.
Volunteers log plant and animal species in the newly restored wetlands at Geddes Brook, and at the western and southwest shorelines of Onondaga Lake.

May 2018 - Volunteers log plant and animal species in the newly restored wetlands at Geddes Brook, and at the western and southwest shorelines of Onondaga Lake.
Ruth Florey (right), Onondaga Audubon Society member and Corps volunteer, tracks bird species with local wildlife photographer and Corps member Phillip Bonn.

May 2018 - Ruth Florey (right), Onondaga Audubon Society member and Corps volunteer, tracks bird species with local wildlife photographer and Corps member Phillip Bonn.
Candace Schermerhorn (right) of the Young Naturalists Leadership Team uses a D-frame dip net to search for organisms on the bottom while YNLT Project Coordinator Shannon Fabiani looks for amphibians and other species along the water’s edge.

May 2018 - Candace Schermerhorn (right) of the Young Naturalists Leadership Team uses a D-frame dip net to search for organisms on the bottom while YNLT Project Coordinator Shannon Fabiani looks for amphibians and other species along the water’s edge.
A water quality meter is used to measure temperature and dissolved oxygen. Ample dissolved oxygen is important for the health of aquatic animal and plant life, as well for decomposition of material on the bottom.

May 2018 - A water quality meter is used to measure temperature and dissolved oxygen. Ample dissolved oxygen is important for the health of aquatic animal and plant life, as well for decomposition of material on the bottom.
Volunteers with the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps and the Young Naturalists Leadership Team (YNLT) of Izaak Walton League fan out to inventory plant and animal species.

May 2018 - Volunteers with the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps and the Young Naturalists Leadership Team (YNLT) of Izaak Walton League fan out to inventory plant and animal species.
A Sora is spotted during the inventory. The Sora is a migratory, secretive marsh bird in Central New York during its breeding season.

May 2018 - A Sora is spotted during the inventory. The Sora is a migratory, secretive marsh bird in Central New York during its breeding season.
Sixty-seven Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps volunteers met on a beautiful Saturday morning in September to help enhance newly created habitat near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek.

September 2016 - Sixty-seven Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps volunteers met on a beautiful Saturday morning in September to help enhance newly created habitat near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek.

Jeff (right) and Laura McIlroy, of Camillus, and their niece, Ava Purtell, 10, from Baldwinsville, enjoy learning about the variety of birds seen at Onondaga Lake from Onondaga Audubon Society board member Frank Moses (in back).

September 2016 - Jeff (right) and Laura McIlroy, of Camillus, and their niece, Ava Purtell, 10, from Baldwinsville, enjoy learning about the variety of birds seen at Onondaga Lake from Onondaga Audubon Society board member Frank Moses (in back).
The work taking place near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek will transform over 18 acres into new wetlands that will play a significant role in creating a healthy Onondaga Lake watershed and a sustainable ecosystem.

September 2016 - The work taking place near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek will transform over 18 acres into new wetlands that will play a significant role in creating a healthy Onondaga Lake watershed and a sustainable ecosystem.
A Great Egret hunts in shallow water in the new wetlands, waiting for a small fish or possibly a frog or other small animal.

September 2016 - A Great Egret hunts in shallow water in the new wetlands, waiting for a small fish or possibly a frog or other small animal.
Matthew and Elizabeth Tognarelli, graduate students at Syracuse University, use a phone to capture an image of a Great Egret through binoculars.

September 2016 - Matthew and Elizabeth Tognarelli, graduate students at Syracuse University, use a phone to capture an image of a Great Egret through binoculars.
Rachel Elder, M.D. (left), and Alison Kocek, President of Onondaga Audubon Society, spot birds in grassland areas near the shoreline.

September 2016 - Rachel Elder, M.D. (left), and Alison Kocek, President of Onondaga Audubon Society, spot birds in grassland areas near the shoreline.
Honeywell Educators Sue Potrikus and Gary Lipp observe a Great Egret in the newly created wetlands near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek.

September 2016 - Honeywell Educators Sue Potrikus and Gary Lipp observe a Great Egret in the newly created wetlands near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek.

Mark and Elizabeth Bremer, of Manlius, brought daughters Sammie (left) and Ali to also volunteer. Corps members pledge to educate future generations about becoming caretakers of the water, air, land, and wildlife.

September 2016 - Mark and Elizabeth Bremer, of Manlius, brought daughters Sammie (left) and Ali to also volunteer. Corps members pledge to educate future generations about becoming caretakers of the water, air, land, and wildlife.
Lydia Giordano, a student at Onondaga Community College, plants broadleaf cattail along Onondaga Lake’s western shoreline. New plantings are given proper spacing to thrive and will eventually fill in bare areas.

September 2016 - Lydia Giordano, a student at Onondaga Community College, plants broadleaf cattail along Onondaga Lake’s western shoreline. New plantings are given proper spacing to thrive and will eventually fill in bare areas.
Diane Mantooth (left), of Clay, and others install 1,400 native plants along Onondaga Lake’s shoreline Saturday morning. Temperature conditions are ideal for fall planting. The areas will be irrigated to ensure survival of the new plants.

September 2016 - Diane Mantooth (left), of Clay, and others install 1,400 native plants along Onondaga Lake’s shoreline Saturday morning. Temperature conditions are ideal for fall planting. The areas will be irrigated to ensure survival of the new plants.
First-time volunteers Melanie Tracy (left), Julie Harsma (right back) and Kourtnie Clark (right), all from Syracuse, plant switchgrass with habitat expert Joe McMullen.

September 2016 - First-time volunteers Melanie Tracy (left), Julie Harsma (right back) and Kourtnie Clark (right), all from Syracuse, plant switchgrass with habitat expert Joe McMullen.
Kourtnie Clark, a student at Onondaga Community College, hands a bluejoint grass plug to LaFayette teacher David Amidon. Amidon was recently recognized with an award from the White House Council on Environmental Quality and U.S. EPA for environmental education.

September 2016 - Kourtnie Clark, a student at Onondaga Community College, hands a bluejoint grass plug to LaFayette teacher David Amidon. Amidon was recently recognized with an award from the White House Council on Environmental Quality and U.S. EPA for environmental education.

Volunteers fan out along the shoreline to planting areas. Access to the recently restored wetlands is restricted to the public while new plantings become established; the new wetlands can be seen from the lake.

September 2016 - Volunteers fan out along the shoreline to planting areas. Access to the recently restored wetlands is restricted to the public while new plantings become established; the new wetlands can be seen from the lake.
Corps volunteers Joe McMullen, habitat expert, and Natalia Cagide-Elmer, environmental engineer at Parsons, brief volunteers on native species they will plant in the new wetlands.

September 2016 - Corps volunteers Joe McMullen, habitat expert, and Natalia Cagide-Elmer, environmental engineer at Parsons, brief volunteers on native species they will plant in the new wetlands.
Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps held its 16th event on Saturday, Sept. 24, to improve habitat in the Onondaga Lake watershed.

September 2016 - Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps held its 16th event on Saturday, Sept. 24, to improve habitat in the Onondaga Lake watershed.