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