Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps Improves Wetlands and Conducts Citizen Science Monitoring Near Nine Mile Creek
Sixty-seven volunteers gathered on a beautiful fall Saturday near the mouth of Nine Mile Creek behind the Lakeview Amphitheater to plant native wetland species and participate in citizen science monitoring by tracking birds. The volunteers are part of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, an expanding organization of community volunteers who are contributing to restoration projects that are creating or improving wildlife habitat in the Onondaga Lake watershed.
![01 Left: Onondaga Community College students Melanie Tracy (left) and Kourtnie Clark, both of Syracuse, learn from habitat expert Joe McMullen (center) about wetland plant species. Right: Conservation Corps volunteers identify bird species from the Onondaga Lake shoreline.](http://www.lakecleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/01.jpg)
Left: Onondaga Community College students Melanie Tracy (left) and Kourtnie Clark, both of Syracuse, learn from habitat expert Joe McMullen (center) about wetland plant species.
Right: Conservation Corps volunteers identify bird species from the Onondaga Lake shoreline.
![02 “This is my first time volunteering with the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps,” said Lydia Giordano, a student from Onondaga Community College. “I feel a responsibility for Onondaga Lake and privileged to be a part of helping to improve it. Onondaga Lake presents an opportunity for the community to come together. Events like this help people to understand that the lake is a resource.”](http://www.lakecleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/02.jpg)
“This is my first time volunteering with the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps,” said Lydia Giordano, a student from Onondaga Community College. “I feel a responsibility for Onondaga Lake and privileged to be a part of helping to improve it. Onondaga Lake presents an opportunity for the community to come together. Events like this help people to understand that the lake is a resource.”
![03 Left: Onondaga Audubon Society President Alison Kocek helps 14-year-old Corps volunteer Taylor Jones, of Baldwinsville, use a scope to identify bird species. Right: David and 4-year-old Alexander Amidon, of Syracuse, plant native wetland species.](http://www.lakecleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/03.jpg)
Left: Onondaga Audubon Society President Alison Kocek helps 14-year-old Corps volunteer Taylor Jones, of Baldwinsville, use a scope to identify bird species.
Right: David and 4-year-old Alexander Amidon, of Syracuse, plant native wetland species.
The work along the lake’s shoreline will transform 35 acres into new wetlands and improved habitat for wildlife that will play a significant role in creating a healthy watershed and a sustainable ecosystem. A total of 1,400 native plants were installed along the shoreline adjacent to the mouth of Nine Mile Creek, including harlequin blueflag, cardinalflower, softstem bulrush, and switchgrass.
![04 Volunteers identified 24 bird species during the event, including Great Egret (pictured above). Other species spotted include Northern Harrier, Osprey, Great Blue Heron, and Black-crowned Night-Heron.](http://www.lakecleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/04.jpg)
Volunteers identified 24 bird species during the event, including Great Egret (pictured above). Other species spotted include Northern Harrier, Osprey, Great Blue Heron, and Black-crowned Night-Heron.
On the shores of Onondaga Lake and along the lake’s tributaries, Honeywell is improving a total of 87 acres of wetlands and planting about 1.1 million native plants, shrubs, and trees. To date, nearly 600,000 shrubs and trees have been planted. More than 70 acres of wetlands have been restored.
![05 Since the formation of the Corps in summer 2012, 16 events have brought together more than 650 volunteers who have become environmental stewards and Corps members. In recognition of their work, the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps was awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2015 Environmental Champion Award.](http://www.lakecleanup.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/05.jpg)
Since the formation of the Corps in summer 2012, 16 events have brought together more than 650 volunteers who have become environmental stewards and Corps members. In recognition of their work, the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps was awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2015 Environmental Champion Award.
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.
Partners of the Corps include Audubon New York, Montezuma Audubon Center, Onondaga Audubon Society, Parsons, OBG, Anchor QEA, Bond Schoeneck & King, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Habitat Gardening in Central New York, and Honeywell.
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.
View more photographs of the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps.