Recent News

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

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

Get Involved

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.

Geddes Brook Wetlands

Work at Geddes Brook has been completed, transforming 21 acres of land in the Onondaga Lake watershed into a diverse new habitat for wildlife. The improved Geddes Brook is part of a green corridor emerging in the Onondaga Lake watershed connecting habitat from the lake to upland sites. More than 260 species of fish, birds, and other wildlife have already returned to restored habitat near the lake; more than 185 have already returned to the re-established Geddes Brook and wetlands, including threatened bird species in New York State.

The project involved the removal of contaminated soil and invasive plants, and the planting of about 50,000 native shrubs, flowers, and trees, which are critical to protecting and enhancing habitat for wildlife such as fish, birds, frogs, and turtles. By planting native species, re-establishing the wetlands, and improving habitat, the project is improving the ecosystem and playing a significant role in creating a productive, healthy Onondaga Lake watershed.

The remediation was performed under the oversight of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Department of Health, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In 2015, Honeywell was honored with an Outstanding Civil Engineering Award by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Syracuse Section, for the remediation and restoration of Geddes Brook and Nine Mile Creek.

Members of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, a volunteer organization, assisted in transforming the Geddes Brook Wetlands. 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.

For more news about this cleanup area, click here.