EPA Recognizes Local Environmental Stewardship Organization Founded by Honeywell in Partnership with Audubon and Central New York Engineering Firms
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps on April 24 with a 2015 Environmental Champion Award. The award honors “individuals, businesses and organizations that have contributed significantly to improving the environment and protecting public health.”
With a goal of engaging citizen scientists and environmental stewards in the restoration of the Onondaga Lake watershed, Honeywell partnered with Audubon New York, Montezuma Audubon Center, Onondaga Audubon Society, Parsons, and O’Brien & Gere to create the Corps in 2012.
“The EPA is thrilled to honor the work of these environmental trailblazers,” said Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “These New Yorkers work tirelessly to protect human health and the environment, inspiring us all to strive for a more sustainable future.”
![01 Chris Lajewski, director of Montezuma Audubon Center, accepts a 2015 Environmental Champion Award from EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck on behalf of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps. Donovan Richards, Chair of the New York City Council's Committee on Environmental Protection, is on the left.](http://www.lakecleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/011.jpg)
Chris Lajewski, director of Montezuma Audubon Center, accepts a 2015 Environmental Champion Award from EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck on behalf of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps. Donovan Richards, Chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection, is on the left.
“Since the beginning of the cleanup process I knew I wanted to be involved, and the Conservation Corps has given me the chance,” said Paul Marconi, a Corps volunteer. “As a lifelong resident of Geddes, it’s not only great to see the change, but it’s also gratifying to be a part of it.”
“EPA’s award honors the pride, dedication, and hard work of hundreds of these citizen scientists who have become stewards of the Onondaga Lake watershed,” said John McAuliffe, Honeywell Syracuse program director. “We look forward to engaging more volunteers in May as we plant native plants and construct and install bird boxes to create homes for wildlife. Congratulations to all Corps members who are helping foster a sustainable ecosystem.”
More than 500 volunteers have planted about 4,500 plants, trees, and shrubs in the Onondaga Lake watershed since the formation of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps.
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Left: Community volunteers participate in the first Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps event at the Geddes Brook wetlands in July 2012. Right: Geddes Brook wetlands in September 2014. Geddes Brook was recognized with the 2015 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Syracuse Section.
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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. Left: Corps volunteers pledge to protect and conserve the Onondaga Lake watershed in July 2014. Right: Corps volunteers participate in a citizen science bird-watching survey in October 2014.
“The Environmental Champion Award is the highest recognition presented to the public by the EPA, and we’re extremely proud and deeply honored that the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps has been selected for this award,” said Erin Crotty, executive director of Audubon New York. “We know that where birds thrive, people prosper and the Corps is a successful model of public, private, and community partnership for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, Onondaga Lake’s communities, and people. This distinguished recognition is further validation that innovative partnerships are the key to addressing our most pressing conservation challenges. Congratulations to Montezuma Audubon Center, Honeywell, O’Brien & Gere, Parsons, Onondaga Audubon Society, and everyone who has made this success possible – most notably the hundreds of Corps volunteers.”
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The Corps has contributed to the improvement of 44 acres of wetlands and other areas that are home to 320,000 native plants and more than 110 species of fish, birds, and mammals. Left: Corps volunteers plant a tree near Harbor Brook in June 2013. Right: Volunteers build habitat structures on Onondaga Lake’s western shoreline in July 2014.
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Left: Corps volunteers plant a tree near Nine Mile Creek in October 2012. Right: Volunteers work with experts to examine the quantity and diversity of various species in the Geddes Brook wetlands in July 2012.
To learn more about the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps or participate in future activities, please contact montezuma@audubon.org or call 315-365-3588. Schools, community groups, local organizations and individuals are welcome. Like the Corps on Facebook or visit YouTube to learn more.
For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, visit www.lakecleanup.com.
For more photographs of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, click here.