Shape the Future
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps is an expanding organization of community volunteers who are contributing to restoration projects that are creating or improving wildlife habitat in the Onondaga Lake watershed.
The Corps was founded in 2012 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 Audubon Important Bird Area.
Onondaga Lake is an important wintering area for Bald Eagles and waterfowl, providing habitat, food, and water sources that many bird species depend upon for survival during the cold winter months.
**As of May 13, 2022, the program is full.**
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps is seeking volunteers to construct nest boxes for Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and other cavity nesters on Sunday, May 22 from 10 AM – 12 PM. Tools, materials, and supplies will be provided to construct the boxes. This outdoor, rain or shine event, will take place at Honeywell's Onondaga Lake Visitors Center, 280 Restoration Way, Syracuse, NY 13209. Nest boxes offer some bird species a better chance to successfully breed and thrive. Also, the boxes help reduce declines in populations and restore species to places they once inhabited.
After building the nest boxes, we will lead a 1-mile walk along the Onondaga Lake shoreline to explore the newly restored habitats and migratory songbirds, birds of prey, waterfowl, and shorebirds that use the lake as a rest stop during their long and arduous journey. Binoculars will be provided.
Participants will learn from Audubon New York and Montezuma Audubon Center staff and Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps advisory board members about the restored habitats and their importance in supporting the Onondaga Lake watershed and the lake's value as an Important Bird Area. More than 120 bird species have been identified at Onondaga Lake.
This is a free event, but space is limited and registration is required. There are only 12 nest boxes available to build and participants are limited to one box per registration. Click here to register. Call 315-365-3588 or email montezuma@audubon.org with questions. The event is sponsored by Honeywell, Audubon New York, RES, and Parsons.
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The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps is a hands-on, experienced-based organization of community volunteers participating in stewardship and educational activities that help restore and sustain the Onondaga Lake watershed, ecosystem, and natural resources.
Plan your trip to the Visitor's Center along the shoreline of Onondaga Lake to see firsthand the significant work that's taken place.
Worksheets based on cleanup activities reinforce NYS standards and Next Generation Science Standards for middle school students.
Join us for programs, family activities, and habitat restoration projects in your area!
Help us to continue to protect and conserve the natural resources of Onondaga Lake.
About the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps
The Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps was founded in 2012 by Honeywell in partnership with Montezuma Audubon Center and Onondaga Audubon and is now an Audubon New York program. Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps supporters include Parsons, Ramboll, Anchor QEA, RES, Converge Properties, Central NY Community Foundation, Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation and John Ben Snow Foundation.
Schools, community groups, local organizations, and individuals are welcome. To learn more or participate in future activities, please contact montezuma@audubon.org or call 315-365-3588.
Pledge to conserve Onondaga Lake for future generations.
Please consider making a donation to the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps to help us inspire the future stewards of our planet to protect the birds, other wildlife, and habitats we all share.
