Local Residents Invited to Learn about Lake Cleanup and Habitat Enhancements
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.”
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.
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.