OWLA December 4th Meeting

OWLA December Meeting Notice

Members and Guests are invited

Wednesday, December 4th, 2013

7 pm at Springside Inn
6141 West Lake Road, Auburn 13021

Guest Speaker:

Dr. Walt Aikman - Adjunct Ass istant Professor

Department of Science, CCC

“Learning About Our

Watershed Stakeholders”

Business meeting following the speaker


Please check OWLA web site for more info:
www.owla.org

OWLA meeting - Wed. Nov. 6, 2013

OWLA November Meeting Notice

Members and Guests are invited

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

7 pm at Springside Inn
6141 West Lake Road, Auburn 13021

Guest Speaker:

Frank Shipp
"Increasing Your Membership and Volunteerism"

Business meeting following the speaker


Please check OWLA web site for more info:
www.owla.org

2013 Finger Lakes Research Conference

Please plan to attend the 2013 Finger Lakes Research Conference that will highlight panelists discussing land use, invasive species, and nutrient management within the Finger Lakes region of New York. In addition, a number of research posters will be displayed.

Keynote Speaker: Katherine Bunting-Howarth, Associate Director, New York Sea Grant Institute and Assistant Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension

  

Please encourage your lake association members, public decision makers, citizen scientists, academic institutions (students and faculty), and private research scientists to participate and attend! 

When:

Friday November 15, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST

Where:

Hobart and William Smith Colleges Scandling Center

300 Pulteney St.

Vandervort Room

Geneva, NY 14456 

For more information: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=6tkitjfab&oeidk=a07e8a92mi07ae48346&oseq=a01h2gn96hckq

Recycling!

I attended a nice recycling event put on by Cayuga County today. The event was well run and I waited no more than a few minutes in line to drop off some electronics. These events are important for our environment and keep contaminants out of our landfills and road side ditches. I hope you will consider some upcoming recycling opportunities this fall.

Two more events coming up;

- Household Hazardous waste drop-off day Saturday October 26th 2013,
by Registration only at 315-255-1183 or goto: https//www.reg.cce.cornell.edu/HHW13_205

- America Recycles Day - Electronics Event - Saturday November 16th, 2013 at the Auburn City Landfill,
call CCE at 315-255-1183 for more information or goto; http://www.cayugacounty.us/DoingBusiness/PlanningandEconomicDevelopment/SolidWasteManagement/CurrentandUp-comingPrograms/AmericaRecyclesDayElectronicsEvent.aspx

Water Chestnut Alert!

Water Chestnut Alert!

Water Chestnut is an invasive aquatic plant that:

-Grows and spreads rapidly

-Is already in the Seneca River

-Forms dense surface mats

-Impacts beaches, rivers, streams

Learn more here: http://www.owla.org/waterchestnutalert.pdf

August OWLA Meeting

Wednesday, August 7, 2013, at 7 pm

Springside Inn

6141 West Lake Road, Auburn

 

AGENDA:

Committee Reports

Strategic Plan Update

Lake Day 2013 Report

Water Testing Report

Fundraiser Golf/Dinner Report

Watershed/Lake Protection Update

 

  Members and Guests are invited

 

more info at:

www.owla.org

Invasive Species - Learn more about them!

We are hearing more and more about Invasive species affecting our lakes and streams.The Cayuga County Planning Department is sponsoring a series of training classes to help folks identify and deal with various aquatic invasive species. The five sessions are being held at various locations around the finger lakes.

• 6 p.m. Monday, July 22, at the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network Offices (2nd floor, Zabriskie Hall), Wells College, Aurora

• 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, in Meeting Room A of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, 615 Willow Ave., Ithaca

• 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at the Finger Lakes Institute, 601 S. Main St., Geneva

• 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, in the auditorium of the Yates County Office Building, 417 Liberty St., Penn Yan

• 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at First Presbyterian Church, 97 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles

Get more details at:
http://auburnpub.com/news/local/cayuga-county-to-hold-aquatic-invasive-species-training/article_87f9982f-462f-5ab1-8092-0cfde014ccfb.html

Learn about invasive plant species too: http://auburnpub.com/lifestyles/eco-talk-get-to-know-invasive-plant-species/article_8f357c53-074d-5b62-9cfd-4d04ccb170d8.html

A Great Day!

The 2013 Owasco Lake Day was a smashing success! Hundreds of folks turned out to enjoy the festivities yesterday at Emerson Park. Browsing the various booths, displays and listening to the guest speakers kept the attendees all very busy. Even a late afternoon thunderstorm didn't chase off the majority of visitors.

The event was a true community collaboration involving volunteers along with both local and state agencies. Thanks to all the OWLA volunteers who worked hard to make this event possible. Dr. Joe would have been proud of you all!

Read more about the event at: http://auburnpub.com/news/local/community-cheers-for-lake-s-health-during-owasco-lake-day/article_09c2b857-ae84-5353-8b79-ae964bfc7602.html

Owasco Lake Day 2013 - Wednesday June 26th - Don't miss it!!!

Dear OWLA members and friends,

 

A reminder that Owasco Lake Day 2013 will be here next Wednesday, June 26, from 3 to 7 pm at Emerson Park. Lake Day Co-chairs Amy Barra and Rick Nelson ask that all OWLA members and friends put aside some time to celebrate Owasco Lake! They also ask that you volunteer some of your time if possible. Please call Rick Nelson at 315-729-3823 if you can help.

Lake Day will include plenty of activities and information for everyone:

There will be pontoon boat rides, complete with narrators who have interesting information about the lakes. The Boy Scouts will once again be selling hotdogs and hamburgers and are even giving away free popcorn. Chobani has graciously donated some of their delicious Greek yogurt again this year, so come enjoy some while checking out the resource fair.

Owasco Lake inspector Katie Jakaub will have a booth at the Resource Fair, along with the Finger Lakes Museum, Beaver Lake Nature Center, Green Drinks and other area organizations. OWLA will have a table as well, where you can join or renew membership or gather new information.

There are plenty of activities for all ages: DEC is bringing a fishing game for children (and young-at-heart adults), and the Creation Station will be there with small statues to paint and take home.

From 4:30-7:00 pm you can listen to our dynamic group of speakers in the Pavilion.

Topics covered will include: what has been done in Owasco Lake, using the watershed for education, agriculture and the Lake, citizen science in the watershed and the state of the Lake.

There will be live music throughout the event, and it's an excellent time to visit Emerson Park.

Celebrate Owasco Lake on Wednesday, June 26, from 3:00-7:00 pm at Emerson Park in Auburn, with OWLA.

Tips on fertilizing your lawn (and protecting the lake!)

Katie Jakaub has a nice article today in the Auburn Citizen describing friendlier methods of fertilizing your lawn. Nutrients from lawn and farm fertilizers can have significant impacts on water quality in our lake. We encourage you to learn more about nutrients that can effect the lake.

Read the entire story: http://auburnpub.com/lifestyles/how-to-weed-fertilize-your-lawn-without-hurting-the-environment/article_d4b68b60-ea71-5084-83d0-90a69b36ed63.html

Check out the OWLA Strategic Action Plan

The OWLA board of directors has been working very hard on a multi-year Strategic Action Plan.

"The strategic action plan is designed to be a “work in progress”, a draft based on our organization’s vision and mission.  It is also a capacity building document; we invite all community members and organizational partners to join with us in working together to contribute to the development and implementation of this plan."

Please take a minute to give the plan a look and feel free to comment or ask questions. OWLA asks you send along those questions or comments to info@owla.org. You can also add comments on this blog...at the COMMENTS tab below. 

Link to the OWLA Strategic Action Plan: http://www.owla.org/5.27.13%20Draft%20OWLA%20Strategic%20Plan%20Action%20Plan-1.pdf

Lake Day - only a month away!

Don't forget! 

Owasco Lake Day 2013 is Wednesday, June 26 from 3 - 7 pm

Emerson Park and Pavilion

Speakers at the Pavilion (4:30 pm):

Bill Graney, Chair, Owasco Lake Management Council

Council Accomplishments and Goals

John Lawler, Weedsport Science Teacher

 Using the Watershed for Education

Karl Czymmek, Cornell Sr Ext Assoc, Nutrient Management

Agriculture and the Watershed

Hilary Lambert, Ph.D

Watershed Citizen Science and Invasive Species

John Halfman, Ph.D

Status of the Lake

Activities:

Resource Fair

Family and Kids Activities

Pontoon Boat Rides

Food Available

Free Admission and Parking

NOTE: Volunteers for Lake Day are needed. If you are interested in helping, please call Rick Nelson at 315-729-3823

Lake Conference Report

NY Federation of Lake Associations (NYFOLA) held their 30th Annual Membership Meeting and Conference; “Managing Lakes in a Changing World”.

OWLA Board members Jim Beckwith and Bob Brower attended the Annual Conference of the NY Federation of Lake Association. The conference was held at the White Eagle Conference Center in Hamilton, NY, on May 3 and 4.

 Learn more about the conference and read the report at : http://www.owla.org/page26.html

Electronics Recycling event

Local agencies are sponsoring an Electronics Recycling event on Saturday May 18th.

Spring Electronics Recycling Event

Saturday May 18th 9:00-2:00

Cayuga Onondaga BOCES 1879 West Genesee Street Rd Auburn

  

It’s time for the annual spring electronics recycling event! On Saturday May 18th load up your old or broken electronics and drive over to the Cayuga Onondaga BOCES at 1879 West Genesee Street Rd in Auburn. Our crews will unload your vehicles for you and take your electronics be recycled. We use a company based out of Rochester NY, so your electronics will be recycled locally in the US!

                We take almost any electronic device you can think of, some examples are:

Computer equipment

Fluorescent light bulbs

Video game systems

TVs

Propane tanks

Freon appliances (50 pound limit)

Button Cell, lithium and rechargeable batteries

Cell phones

And any other electronic items!

If you have very large items or are not sure if an item can be recycled at this event, please call (315) 255-1183 or e-mail Cayuga@cornell.edu

This event is sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, Cayuga County Solid Waste Management Program Office, Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development and hosted by the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES. 

Funding for the event is provided by Cayuga County and Nucor Steel-Auburn.

Learn more at the Cayuga County Recycling web-site:http://co.cayuga.ny.us/hazwaste/electronics13spring.htm

Golf to Benefit OWLA

Cayuga County Association of REALTORS

Annual Charity Golf Tournament

To benefit OWLA and

Neighborhood House of Auburn.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Dutch Hollow Country Club, Owasco N.Y.

more information here: http://www.owla.org/page25.html

Boater Safety Classes

It is that time of year when many of us are thinking about taking to the water. In New York State anyone under the age of 18 must have taken and passed an 8 hour Boater Safety Class in order to operate legally. Also ALL operators of Personal Watercraft (PWC) must also take the same course. Please take a minute to  become aware of this training along with equipping and operating your craft in a safe manner.


Learn more about NYS Boater Safety requirements at this link:
http://nysparks.com/recreation/boating/education.aspx


It is also a good time to inspect your boat or watercraft to be sure you have the proper safety equipment required by NYS law.

Link to required equipment list: http://nysparks.com/recreation/boating/documents/VesselEquipmentGuide.pdf

Get out any enjoy our beautiful waterways.....SAFELY!
- Lakeman

Upcoming safety classes in Cayuga County:

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Cayuga Comm. College, Auburn (Cayuga)

Stiver, Leonard (315)294-8841

This class is for adults and children

The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Montezuma Town Hall, 8102 Dock St., Montezuma (Cayuga)

Malenick, John (315)729-6611

This class is for adults and children

The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Thursday, May 02, 2013

Bass Pro Shops, Finger Lakes Mall, Auburn (Cayuga)

Gray, Ralph (315)258-2700

This class is for adults and children, 2 evening session must attend both

The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Montezuma Town Hall, 8102 Dock St., Montezuma (Cayuga)

Malenick, John (315)729-6611

This class is for adults and children

The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Scipio Fire Company, 3550 St. Rt. 34, Sciopio (Cayuga)

Nedza, John (315)364-7251

This class is for adults and children, Safe Boating week

There is no cost for this class. If you are 18 or older you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Montezuma Town Hall, 8102 Dock St., Montezuma (Cayuga)

Malenick, John (315)729-6611

This class is for adults and children

The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Saturday, June 01, 2013

Montezuma Town Hall, 8102 Dock St., Montezuma (Cayuga)

Malenick, John (315)729-6611

This class is for adults and children

The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Sunday, June 02, 2013

Fair Haven Beach S. P.,Sabin Hall, ,14985 S. P. Rd., F.H. (Cayuga)

Woodard, Ro (315)947-5205

This class is for adults and children

There is no cost for this class. If you are 18 or older you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Sunday, June 09, 2013

Montezuma Town Hall, 8102 Dock St., Montezuma (Cayuga)

Malenick, John (315)729-6611

This class is for adults and children

The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Montezuma Town Hall, 8102 Dock St., Montezuma (Cayuga)

Malenick, John (315)729-6611

This class is for adults and children

The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Montezuma Town Hall, 8102 Dock St., Montezuma (Cayuga)

Malenick, John (315)729-6611

This class is for adults and children

The instructor charges a fee for this course. If you are 18 or older in addition to the class fee you will be required to pay NYS Parks a $10.00 fee for your boating safety certificate.

Owasco Lake Day 2013

Owasco Lake Day 2013

Wednesday, June 26, 3 - 7 pm at the Emerson Park and Pavilion

Guest Speakers:

Bill Graney, Chair, Owasco Lake Management Council

Accomplishments and Goals

John Lawler, Weedsport Science Teacher

Using the Watershed for Education

Karl Czymmek, Cornell Sr Ext Assoc, Nutrient Management

Agriculture and the Watershed

Hilary Lambert, Ph.D

Watershed Citizen Science and Invasive Species

John Halfman, Ph.D

Status of the Lake

Activities:

-          Resource Fair

-          Family and Kids Activities

-          Pontoon Boat Rides

-          Food Available

Free Admission and Parking

NOTE: Volunteers for Lake Day are needed. If you are interested in helping, please call Rick Nelson at 315-729-3823.

Owasco Lake's Carousel

 There is a nice article in today's Auburn Citizen about the merry-go-round that used to reside in Enna Jettick Park (now Emerson Park) at the foot of Owasco Lake. The carousel was in use from 1929 to 1944, when it was sold and moved to Hershey Park, Pennsylvania. Lakeside Park was a very popular park in the 30's and 40's and many area residents have fond memories of the park and carousel.

                                                                                                               (Photo from rootsweb.ancestry.com)

Read the entire story at:
http://auburnpub.com/lifestyles/whatever-happened-to-the-emerson-park-merry-go-round/article_de63e8ef-9fbe-56b8-9f85-aa63ccf694db.html

The Owasco Lake News blog 5th anniversary

It seems like we only started this blog yesterday, but it has been 5 years. The Owasco Lake News blog was initiated to share the latest Owasco Lake information and news to members of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association and the public.This was the beginning of an expanded on-line presence for OWLA, which now includes our web site, this blog, as well as Facebook and Twitter feeds.

We appreciate all that have contributed information and suggestions along the way. We also encourage you to continue by adding adding comments here or emailing us at: owlanews@gmail.com.

Owasco Lake’s Call for Participation

A local student is researching how citizen participation can improve perceptions and understanding of watershed protection. In cooperation with the Owasco Watershed Lake Association, Adrienne Canino, a graduate student at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is doing her Master's Thesis as a case study on how citizen participation can effect watershed perceptions and understanding.

You can learn more details about her project from this article at: http://flihappenings.wordpress.com/2013/03/30/regionally-speaking-owasco-lakes-call-for-participation/

You can also participate in an online survey concerning Owasco Lake at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OwascoLakeWatershed

OWLA meeting Wed. April 3rd

             April OWLA Meeting

       

  Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 7 pm at Springside Inn

 Guest Speaker: 

 Doug Kierst, Executive Director of the CC Soil and Water Conservation District

- Business meeting will be following the guest speaker.

  

 Note: Please take the new OWLA survey and check the environmental film info at:                      www.owla.org

Finger Lakes Fisheries Meetings

State officials conducted two public meetings this week to discuss the "State of the Finger Lakes."

Fisheries scientists from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation discussed the fisheries of Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles and Otisco Lakes. These four lakes comprise more than 60,000 acres. NYSDEC says the estimated value of their fisheries exceeds $8.9 million. The meetings were held at Bass Pro Shops in Auburn and at the Groton High School in Groton.

The DEC says the Finger Lakes and their tributaries support a variety of trout and salmon, bass, walleye, yellow perch, and panfish. DEC biologists gave updates on the status of trout and salmon fisheries, warmwater fish, regulations, lamprey control, and the Angler Diary Program.

Read more in the Syracuse.com article here: http://blog.syracuse.com/outdoors/2013/03/finger_lakes_fisheries_healthy.html

Forum examines Owasco Lake issues

The Owasco Lake - OWN IT ! conference examined the current condition and ways to improve water quality in Owasco lake on Saturday. The conference was held at the Bisgrove Theater at Cayuga Community College. Two of the speakers were Professer John Halfman of Hobart & William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY and Todd Walter of Cornell university.

The event was sponsored by the Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA), the Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology (IAGT) and

Cayuga Community College (CCC).

Read the Auburn Citizen article at: http://auburnpub.com/news/local/forum-examines-improving-quality-of-owasco-lake/article_1ed9fb10-8b39-526f-84e0-5014ff17ba5c.html

Take the OWLA survey

Important Owasco Lake Survey

A new public opinion survey focused on Owasco Lake and its watershed is intended to help OWLA understand concerns regarding the Lake. Results will influence the OWLA 3-Year Strategic Action Plan.

Please click here to take this short survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LNYRFBT

Learn about cover crops

"COVER CROPS FOR FIELD CROP FARMERS"

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

12:00 PM to 3:00 PM

 Location:  Cornell Cooperative Extension, 248 Grant Avenue, Auburn NY

  

11:00- OWLA members are invited to attend a special session with cover crop experts, this will be an “introduction to cover crops”. OWLA members are also invited to stay for the rest of the day if they choose.

12:00 -  We will ask Paul Salon, ( NRCS-USDA) to speak about some of his research and discoveries at the Big Flats  Plant Materials Center, a Field Station focusing on Cover crops and other Conservation practices.

1:00 - Quirine Ketterings, Associate Professor Cornell Nutrient Management Spear ( Soil Fertility)Program Department of Animal Science Cornell University,  will speak on the Double cropping research that provides many of the positive enhancements that cover cropping normally does and allows for an additional crop to be harvested to increase yield from that field.

2:00 - Growers panel  We are asking a number of local farmers to speak about their experiences with cover crops under conditions very close to your own here in Cayuga County.

After each session we will have a chance for farmers to inquire or clarify what the speaker provided.

We are doing this meeting to provide information about cover cropping systems that could improve conditions within your fields

There will be no fees associated with this presentation, and no lunch provided, so plan to eat before or after.

If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations for a program, contact us as soon as possible, please.

Amy Barra

Environmental Educator

Cornell Cooperative Extension Cayuga County

248 Grant Ave Auburn, Ny 13021

(315) 255-1183 x. 229

(315) 255-1187

Alb356@cornell.edu

February OWLA Meeting

The February OWLA Meeting will be held Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 7 pm

at the Springside Inn, 6141 West Lake Road, Auburn

The public is invited.

Owasco Lake . . . OWN IT !

Owasco Lake . . . OWN IT ! is a conference focused on the current condition of Owasco Lake and efforts to reduce phosphorus loading.

Where and When:

Saturday, March 9, 2013

9am- 12:30 pm

Bisgrove Theater

Cayuga Community College

199 Franklin Street, Auburn, NY 13021

Speakers:

John Halfman

Professor Dept of Geoscience & Environmental      Studies Program

Finger Lakes Institute Endowed Chair in Environmental Studies

Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY

Todd Walter

Associate Professor

Biological and Environmental Engineering Dept

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

  

The conference is free, but registration is requested to reserve your place and to receive updates.To register by phone or for more information call:  315-252-8669

This conference is a companion event to Owasco Lake Day 2013, to be held at Emerson Park, on the shores of Owasco Lake, on June 26, 2013.

Event sponsors:

Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA)

Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology (IAGT)

Cayuga Community College (CCC)

Owasco Lake gets funding for management plan update

The 2012 Regional Economic Development Council Awards were presented in December by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

The Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, as the five-county group received one of two "top performer" awards and $93.8 million in funding for 73 projects.

Cayuga County received $1,973,500 for eight projects. One significant project, was a $75,000 grant for Cayuga County to develop an updated Owasco Lake Watershed Management Plan. The last plan, was done in in 2001 and was overdue for an update. 

Look forward to more information on the update of this plan in early 2013.