WELCOME!
​  ABOUT SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
Please Note: The Office Will Be Closed in Observance of the                                         Following Holidays in 2023

New Year's                                          MONDAY, JANUARY 2
Martin Luther King Day                  MONDAY, JANUARY 16
Presidents' Day                                 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Memorial Day                                    MONDAY, MAY 29
​Juneteenth                                         MONDAY, JUNE 19
4th of July                                           TUESDAY, JULY 4
Labor Day                                            MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Columbus Day                                    MONDAY, OCTOBER 9
Veterans Day                                      FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Thanksgiving                                     THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Day after Thanksgiving                   FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24
​Christmas                                           MONDAY, DECEMBER 25
                      IN THE NEWS
Reprinted Syracuse.com
Beck Farms in Tompkins County offers virtual farm tours through American Dairy Association
by: Adrienne Smith
FREEVILLE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Did you know it’s National Agriculture Week? As a way to highlight the industry, the American Dairy Association North East has teamed up with Beck Farms in Tompkins County to offer virtual farm tours to students.
As a proud fourth-generation farmer, Tyler Beck of Beck Farms is at the forefront of evolving his family’s dairy farm in Freeville. His great-grandfather founded the farm in the 1920s.
One thing that has remained consistent for Beck Farms over the last 100 years? The hard work and dedication it takes to run the dairy farm.
Thanks to technology advancements and a partnership with the American Dairy Association North East, Beck Farms is reaching the younger generation, near and far.
Since 2018, the American Dairy Association North East has been working with local dairy farmers to bring their farms right to the classroom.
The lessons not only educate students about where their dairy and agricultural products come from, but it gives them a glimpse of life on the farm in real-time.
“It takes about 35 people to complete this team and care for about 2,000 cows,” Beck explained. “It’s hard nowadays to find people that want to get up earlier, work the long hours out in the cold, do everything it takes to be a farmer, but once you get into it, you get addicted to it. It’s very fruitful.”
Modern technology is not only helping to teach the younger generation about the agricultural industry, but it also helps with the growing day-to-day operations at Beck Farms.
“With the technology, we can basically monitor each cow on an individual basis because when you have 2,000 of them, it’s hard to keep track of them all,” Beck explained. “So the buttons and technology allow us to really watch their health metrics.”
If you’re interested in signing up for a virtual farm tour, click here. You can also find pre-recorded virtual farm tours that you can watch anytime!

​​BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS
2023 
​Meeting schedule: 4th Wednesday of every month
10:00 a.m. at the District office (unless otherwise noted)
JANUARY 25
FEBRUARY 27 (MONDAY)
MARCH 22
APRIL 26
MAY 24
JUNE 21
JULY 26
AUGUST 23
SEPTEMBER 27
OCTOBER 25
NOVEMBER 15
DECEMBER 20

hydroseeding_aide.pdf
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The 2023 Water Quality Symposium was held this year  in Syracuse at the Double Tree Inn.  Pictured below are staff and board members from both the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultural Program, and the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District.

SOIL AND WATER IN YOUR SCHOOL!!!!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOIL AND WATER VISIT YOUR CLASSROOM FOR A ROUSING PRESENTATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT :
315/457-0325 OR VIA EMAIL AT INFO@OCSWCD.ORG


From NYS AG & Markets Website
MARCH 20, 2023
 ALBANY, NY
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Kicks off New York Agricultural Literacy Week
Agriculture and Education Commissioners Participate in Ag Literacy Week, Reading to Boulevard Elementary School Students in Gloversville Wednesday, March 22
Week-Long Celebration Benefits More than 80,000 Students, Promotes Importance of Agricultural Industry Through Literature and Hands-On Lessons
More than a Dozen Agriculture and Markets Staff Read to Students in Schools Across the State.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball today announced the start of Agricultural Literacy Week in New York with a full slate of reading events planned across the State throughout the week. Now in its 18th year, Agricultural Literacy Week is a statewide effort, organized by New York Agriculture in the Classroom (NYAITC), to educate students about the importance of agriculture and opportunities for careers in the industry. 

Commissioner Ball said, “Cliché as it may sound, our children really are the future. As leaders in the agricultural community, it’s our responsibility to foster an understanding and appreciation of how our food is grown and where it comes from in our young people. Agricultural Literacy week gives us the opportunity to teach New York students to see the value of agriculture in their daily lives, and maybe even find a calling in the field. I am grateful to my fellow State Commissioners, our Department employees and so many other volunteers from across the State who are helping to share the importance of our industry this week.” 

New York State has one of the longest running and largest Agricultural Literacy Week programs in the country. Each year, thousands of volunteers visit schools throughout the state to read an agricultural-themed book to elementary school students. This year, more than 80,000 students statewide will participate in Agricultural Literacy Week.

Students also benefit from an interactive lesson with volunteers sharing their experiences in agriculture. Teachers are provided with follow up activities to continue these important educational opportunities throughout the school year. All follow-up lessons, activities and supplementary materials are aligned with the Common Core Learning Standards.  
This year’s selected book is “Tomatoes for Neela,” by Padma Lakshmi, an intergenerational tale of connecting with other cultures, building communities, and bonding with family through food.

       OCSWCD ANSWERS THE LITERACY CALL!
Pictured below are soil and water staff members Chris Travis and Eric Jensen reading Tomatoes for Neela at McKinley Brighton Elementary School and Dr. King Elementary School.
Did you know March is the peak of maple syrup season?
 Check out these Central New York Maple Syrup Producers
1) Critz Farms – Cazenovia’s Critz Farms offers family-friendly activities throughout the year. During maple season, families can take a wagon ride to the sugarbush, learn about production, and sample syrup.
Where: 3232 Rippleton Road, Cazenovia.
More information: critzfarms.com.
2)Dutch Hill Maple – Dave Williams founded Dutch Hill Maple in 1968 with 15 maple trees. Since then, the number of taps has grown to more than 7,500. Maple syrup, maple crunch, maple BBQ sauce, and maple pops are all available for purchase, but keep in mind, orders must be shipped or picked up.
Where: 1435 Dutch Hill Road, Tully.
More information: dutchhillmaple.com.
3) Red Schoolhouse Maple – Located south of Lake Ontario, Red Schoolhouse Maple produces pure maple syrup. Make sure to also try some of its specialty products, including maple cream, hot maple mustard and sweet maple and apple cider vinaigrette.
Where: 2437 County Route 4, Fulton.
More information: redschoolhousemaple.com.
4) Schoolyard Sugarbush – Schoolyard Sugarbush’s name comes from its roots – the business started outside a one-room schoolhouse. Now in its fourth generation, it offers maple sugar, maple candy, and maple cream, along with several grades of its maple syrup.
Where: 5967 Appletree Point Road, Moravia.
More information: schoolyardsugarbush.org.
5)  Skaneateles Sugar Shack – Skaneateles Sugar Shack collects more than 100,000 gallons of sap each year, according to its website, shipping its products all over the world. Stop by its retail space about five miles south of the village to purchase maple syrup, maple cotton candy, maple sugar, and more.
Where: 2234 Benson Road, Skaneateles.
More information: skaneatelessugarshack.com.
6) Smokey Hollow Maple Products – Nearly five decades ago, the Hotaling family started making maple syrup with a wash tub and a campfire, eventually turning their hobby into a business in 1986. These days, they use a more modern process, selling everything from maple syrup to maple coated nuts to maple mustard.
Where: 8597 Pierce Road, Jordan.
More information: smokeyhollowmaplesyrup.com.
​

DEC Summer Camps are Special
DEC camps help instill a life-long passion for nature and stewardship of natural resourcesDEC camps combine environmental education, hunter education programs, and outdoor recreation into a fun adventure. We use a hands-on approach to teach about the environment. Camps run Sunday afternoon through Friday afternoon.
Campers will have the opportunity to learn outdoor skills including backpacking, camping, and canoeing. They will explore New York's diverse habitats, have the chance to learn basic ecological concepts, and how human activities affect the environment. Campers solve challenges, explore environmental concepts, practice outdoor skills, and spend the week immersed in nature. The 2022 Camp Season marked 75 years of fostering a love for the natural world.
Explore DEC's Summer Camps through images on the DEC's Summer Camps Facebook page. (leaves DEC website)
Adventure, Education, & Fun!
Lessons at camp cover a range of topics led by counselors with backgrounds in science, education, or recreation and include examining insects and flowers in a field, using nets along the lake shore to study macroinvertebrates, or venturing in the forest to learn about biodiversity and forestry. Throughout the week campers engage in activities that emphasize basic ecological concepts about habitats, species identification, and how organisms and habitats adapt to changes. Campers also consider environmental solutions through activities and scenarios that encourage them to make decisions to mitigate their impacts on the environment.
At camp, youth also have a chance to try new skills, including archery, canoeing, fishing, birding, or taking a hunter education course. Hunter education programs are limited and offer campers a chance to complete their safety certificates on the path to a hunting, bowhunting, or trapping license. Visit Hunter Education at Camp to learn more. Counselors also use the I FISH NY program to teach about fishing and fish identification.
Day trips might include hiking, canoeing in nearby lakes, or visiting local nature museums as the week allows. Each week campers also go on one overnight trip and learn camping skills.
Of course, camp also includes skits, songs, campfires, swimming, and recreation games to round out the week. Many of the games and activities at camp are from environmental education programs like Projects Learning Tree, WILD, & WET, allowing campers to play games while further reinforcing ecological concepts.
Follow these links to learn more about camp.
  • Camp Colby (11 to 13 year-olds, 1 week for 14-17 year-olds) in Franklin County, next to the Adirondack Forest Preserve
  • Camp DeBruce (11 to 13 year-olds, 1 week for 14-17 year-olds) in the southern Catskills
  • Camp Rushford (11 to 13 year-olds, 2 weeks of 14-17 year-olds) in Allegany County
  • Camp Pack Forest (14 to 17 year-olds, 2 weeks of 11-13 year-olds) in the southern Adirondacks
About Our Camp Counselors
Our counselors are well-educated and committed to providing a great experience for all campers. Many of our staff are former campers, continuing the DEC Summer Camps tradition by returning to teach the next generation of campers. All environmental education camp counselors have at least two years of college in natural or biological sciences, natural resource conservation, recreation management, environmental education or primary and secondary education. Our counselors are all certified in First Aid and CPR/AED and have been checked through the NYS Sex Offenders Registry.
Cost and Sponsorships
DEC camp costs $350 per camper, per week.
Many campers are sponsored by local conservation organizations, hunting and fishing clubs, garden clubs, and community groups. Talk with organizations in your area to find out if they offer sponsorships, and how to receive one. Sponsored campers must work with their sponsoring organization to receive sponsorship ahead of the March 2023 registration opening for camps. Visit Sponsoring Youth to Camp for more information.
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SWCD 'Municipal Partner of the Year' Award presentation to the Town of Skaneateles
 On Monday, January 30th, the Onondaga County Soil & Water Conservation District ‘2022 Municipal Partner of the Year’ Award was presented to the Town of Skaneateles. Janet Aaron, Town of Skaneateles Supervisor, and Tim Dobrovosky, Highway Dept Supervisor, were present for the Town of Skaneateles at the Town office building to receive the honor. SWCD Board of Directors, Julie Abbott and Ken Bush, and Mark Burger, Executive Director were on hand to congratulate the Town of Skaneateles for their conservation partnership efforts.
 The ‘Municipal Partner of the Year’ award recognizes the Town of Skaneateles’ significant and ongoing support of the Onondaga County Soil & Water Conservation District work by assisting the implementation of essential streambank stabilization projects. Partnerships like this are essential for water quality improvement projects and soil conservation efforts to happen in our communities all around the county. 

           FROM the NYS DEC   

TROUT HARVEST SEASON OPENS APRIL 1, 2023
Most people fishing in New York need a New York State Fishing License. There are three ways to get a fishing license in New York. You can visit an official License Issuing Agent, order over the phone, or order online.
​
Free/Reduced Fee & Lifetime Licenses License Requirements
You need a fishing license if you are 16 years and older and fishing for:
  • Freshwater fish species by angling, spearing, hooking, longbow, and tip-ups.
  • Frog species by spearing, catching with the hands or by use of a club or hook.
  • Freshwater baitfish for personal use.
Note: You need a marine fishing registration if fishing for migratory fish of the sea and saltwater fish species.
You do not need a fishing license if you are:
  • Fishing on a licensed fishing preserve
  • Fishing during the free fishing weekend
  • Fishing at a free learn to fish clinic
  • A resident landowner primarily engaged in farming (including lessees and members of their immediate families) when fishing on farm lands they are occupying and cultivating.
  • A farm fish pond license holder (including members of their immediate families) fishing on waters covered by the license.
  • A Native American living and fishing on reservation land.
  • A patient residing at a qualifying U.S. Veterans Administration hospital or facility in New York State.
HOW VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY HELP AGRICULTURE
REPRINTED FROM AN BLOG WRITTEN BY ANASTASIIA UDOVICHENKO FOR VISARTECH
To start a small-scale farm, you need at least 5 people. And the bigger the farm gets, the more staff is necessary. With innovative farm technologies – the staff needs complex training.
Modern equipment is not cheap. As unskilled workers may cause a malfunction or get an injury, virtual training allows you to avoid such situations. A new employee can work out certain scenarios in the game mode, train their skills to automatism, and after that start working with real technology.
Virtual training recreates a real working environment. An employee can carry out pre-planting field processing or harvesting. He or she executes the given scenarios and receives a certain number of points. After completing the task, the points are summed up, and the employee obtains a qualification mark. If something does not work out from the first try, you can always “replay”. It is necessary to train muscle memory, which works better than pure knowledge in extreme situations. The muscle memory is working out a reflex, and thus way more increases the efficiency of work. Of course, there are video training or personal trainers. But in the first case, there is only a possibility to watch and it’s boring, while personal trainers are expensive and can not deal with several people at the same time.
AR Saves Money on Plants’ Protection Tools
When you are aware of pests and diseases, as well as of the means to be used, it allows you to make an operational decision to save the crop and reduce costs.
You can conduct a survey of the field using virtual reality. It is easier for farmers to determine the quality of the soil, to pick up the appropriate crops, and effectively use the soil potential for crop production.
How is it implemented? There are sensors that get installed in the field that scan the crops. All an agronomist has to do is point a tablet or a smartphone camera to the plant to receive information about the weather, temperature, plant health, fertilizer needs, and harvesting date.
There are two options for augmented reality implementation: with the help of special glasses or smartphones and tablets.
Some smartphones have two cameras: one transmits thermal images, and the other is volumetric. Sensors that transmit information to the camera are installed in the ground. The camera reads the data and displays pop-ups on the screen. The smartphone and sensors are all the equipment you need to implement the technology. In addition, these sensors are quite inexpensive.
To learn more, please visit Visartech's website at Visartech.com
WHAT CAN YOU PLANT IN MARCH IN NEW YORK??
As soon as the soil is ready, avid gardeners and farmers alike can begin planting cooler season crops such as spinach, peas , lettuce, or broccoli. Spring is on its way!
             FROM PARKS & REC.
                                 FROM THE DEC
For Release: Friday, March 24, 2023
DEC Announces 16th Annual Juvenile Eel Monitoring Project
Area Volunteers, Teachers, and Students Join DEC to Count Hudson River Eels
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that all along the Hudson River estuary, volunteers including teachers, students, and residents are donning waders and venturing into tributary streams to participate in ongoing research on migrating juvenile American eels (Anguilla rostrata).
"New York is home to significant habitat that is critical to the life-cycle of many migratory fish species," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "The Hudson River Eel Project connects students and local residents with nature gathering data that can be valuable for the future study of this species and its role in the Hudson Valley ecosystem."
Now in its 16th year, the project was initiated by DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program and Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve to gather data to inform multi-state management plans for eel conservation. Eel collection takes place at most sites daily from mid-March through mid-May. Since the project began, volunteers have caught, counted, and released more than one million juvenile eels into upstream habitat.
This spring, students, local volunteers, DEC staff, and partner organizations will monitor glass eels at 11 sites on the Hudson River from New York Harbor to the Capital Region.
American eels have one of the most unusual life cycles of any fish. The eels are hatched in the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, and every spring arrive in estuaries like the Hudson River as translucent, two-inch long "glass eels." DEC and volunteers check 10-foot, cone-shaped nets (fyke nets) specifically designed to catch these small eels during this life stage. Volunteer and student researchers then count and release the glass eels back into the water and record environmental data on temperature and tides. Most of the eels are released above dams, waterfalls, and other barriers so that the eels have better access to habitat. Eels will live in freshwater rivers and streams and for up to 30 years before returning to the sea to spawn.
Coastal states from Florida to Maine monitor the young-of-the-year migrations of American eels, using the protocols of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Hudson River Eel Project participants are trained in these field collection protocols to ensure useful data is collected.

        mediation assistance for farmers   
***Courtesy of the NYS Agricultural Mediation Program 
 Agricultural mediation has helped resolve problems of all sizes for farms of all sizes. Mediation can be used at any time—before a conflict escalates or when things are already full blown. 
FARM TRANSITIONS
Different tools for different needs  Farm families and farm enterprises contact us at different stages of a farm transition. Each situation is unique and we customize services to match needs.
Conflict Coaching
Conversations to help individuals identify what is most important to them and how they would like to address issues with the family.
Family Meeting
A facilitator helps the family develop an agenda, assures all have a chance to speak and be heard and drafts up any decisions the family makes during a family meeting.
Mediation
Helpful when a family seems stuck. Working with a professional trained in conflict management can often help family members find common goals and see additional possibilities. CREDIT AND DEBT ISSUES A mediator can help a farmer negotiate realistic plans with lenders or suppliers when they owe money and are struggling to pay on time. A mediator can also help a farmer with small or large claim issues or to have a conversation to resolve issues and maintain business relationships when someone owes them money.       
NEIGHBOR DISPUTES
Individuals or communities seek mediation when they are looking to sort out concerns without going to court. FARM LEASES Going beyond a handshake
Facilitation
Proactive meetings in the first two years of a lease for landowners and farmers to address any concerns with their situation. Facilitators help draft agendas, provide a process for discussion and document any changes to working agreements.
Mediation
Useful when there are disagreements/conflict and either or both landowner and farmer would like supported conversations to explore issues and solutions. INTERPERSONAL FARM FAMILY ISSUES
NYSAMP can offer services for a range of issues for farm families. Please reach out if you would like to see if our services are a good fit for your situation. Here are some examples of situations: Resolving co-parenting issues for parents living apart who might need to adjust child-care responsibilities. Coming to agreements about custody, visitation, and child support. Challenges between parents/guardians and adolescent children. Disputes between family members and other relatives. Siblings and extended family members making decisions about elder care issues.
Contact us for an initial confidential conversation, we can discuss options for your situation. Consultations are free and confidential.

opening soon!!!!
the farmer's museum in cooperstown will be open for the season april1, 2023
HOURS April 1 – May 26
Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm Closed Mondays.
Museum Store open 11:00 am–4:00 pm. Closed Mondays. May 27 – October 9
Open Daily, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Museum Store: open daily, 11:00 am–5:00 pm
Crossroads Cafe: open daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm October 10 – October 31
Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm. Closed Mondays.
Museum Store: open 11:00 am–4:00 pm. Closed Mondays.
Crossroads Cafe: Closed November – March
Closed for winter except for special programs and events.
Museum Store: The Farmers’ Museum Store has everything you need when shopping for the Holidays!
11/1-11/22: open Tuesday-Sunday, 11:00am-4:00pm (closed Mondays and Thanksgiving Day)
11/24-12/24 (Holiday Hours): open daily, 11:00am-4:00pm after Thanksgiving.  

April 1 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm  Join us on opening day for a sheep shearing demo from 11:00am-1:00pm in the Sweet Marble Barn. Included with museum admission.
​
Jump-start your garden with this ancient technique that can beat the late winter cold. You will first construct your own 2ft x 3ft frame to take home, then learn how to set it up by working on the hot frame in one of our historic gardens. We will even send you home with a hand-picked variety of heirloom seeds and seedlings to get you started right away.
Class Fee:  Members $110, includes kit. Non-members $120, includes kit. Lunch will be provided. Requires advance registration, limited to 8 participants. Please wear comfortable and warm clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bringing gardening gloves is recommended. Location: Creamery Classroom and the Lippitt Farmstead Garden.
Please email d.anderson@farmersmuseum.org with any questions.
Reserve your spot at HERE!
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In Case of Emergency

In case assistance is needed at an agricultural spill, and it's after office hours (4:30 p.m.) you can call Mark Burger directly at 315-415-5057.
This year we invite you to participate in Skaneateles Easter Scavenger Hunt starting March 31st and going until April 14th! Scavenger Hunt Forms are available at the Skaneateles Chamber (22 Jordan St.), Hobby House Toys (7 Jordan St.), and Pride + Joy (88 E Genesee St.) or digitally through the pdf below. 
Families will find Easter/Spring themed cutouts in the windows of shops throughout the Village. Put 5 place names with the correct picture together to get an Easter Bag of goodies. Correctly find all the cutouts and you'll get an Easter Bag and an entry for the chance to win one of three grand prizes donated by ​​HABA Toys, Hobby House Toys, and Pride + Joy.
This event is planned for children, but there are no age-specific requirements. If you have any questions about the event don't hesitate to contact us at (315) 685-0552.
The Skaneateles Chamber office hours are Monday-Friday from 10-4 pm.
This event is hosted by The Skaneateles Foundation.
         WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GIVE A ZOO ANIMAL AN EGG?


Animal Egg-stravaganza
Watch the animals as they enjoy their very own “Egg-Stravaganza.” A variety of animals will receive eggs and egg-shaped enrichment items throughout the day. Don’t miss this egg-citing event! Presenting unusual items to the animals is part of the zoo’s enrichment program, designed to promote natural behaviors and keep our animals engaged, curious and happy.
SUNDAY
APR 2
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
FREE WITH ZOO MEMBERSHIP OR ADMISSION.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Schedule:
10:30 a.m. Komodo Dragon – Social Animals Building
11 a.m. Siamang – Social Animals Building
11:30 a.m. Red Panda – Wildlife Trail
12 p.m. Red River Hogs – Wildlife Trail
12:30 p.m. Meerkats – Social Animals Building
1 p.m. Stanley Blue Cranes – Wildlife Trail
1:30 p.m. Andean Bear – Wildlife Trail
2 p.m. Asian Elephants – Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve
2:30 p.m. Turkmenian Markhor – Wildlife Trail
3 p.m. Giant Pacific Octopus – USS Antiquities
3:30 p.m. Diversity of Birds Aviary


Free with zoo membership or admission.

   Onondaga County Soil & Water
Conservation District​
6680 Onondaga Lake Parkway
LIverpool, NY 13088
(315) 457-0325
 Fax:  (315) 457-0410




                UPCOMING RECYCLING EVENTS 

APRIL 22, 2023
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING 8:00AM-2:00PM 
LOCATION: DESTINY USA PINK PARKING LOT
REGISTER: https://form.jotform.com/Sunnking/Magnarelli23
What You Can Bring
computers
televisions
tablets
monitors
cameras
copiers
fax machines
scanners
printers
vcr + dvd players
cable boxes
digital music players
gaming consoles
cell phones
av equipment

MAY 6, 2023
SHREDDING OPPORTUNITY 9:00-12:00PM
LOCATION: DESTINY USA PINK PARKING LOT
REGISTER: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/William-B-Magnarelli/story/105155

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
SHREDDING OPPORTUNITY 9:00AM-12:00PM
LOCATION: DESTINY USA PINK PARKING LOT
ONLY CONFIDENTIAL PERSONAL DOCUMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. NO PHONE BOOKS, MAGAZINES, JUNK MAIL, RECEIPTS, HANGING FILE FOLDERS, BINDERS, PHOTOS, PHOTOS OR PHOTO ALBUMS.
       OCSWCD GOES TO ALBANY!
Executive Director Mark Burger accompanied by  Conor Larkin, Conservation District Technician, WAPRC Board members, Eric Brayman and David Perry, and OCWA Representative , Cody McQueeney braved New York weather to travel to Albany February 28, 2023 for Legislative Days.
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On Wednesday, March 22, 2023 OCSWCD staff and the District Board were invited to  the Lafayette Highway Department to witness a demonstration of REACT snow plow blades. The Highway department piloted use of the blades on its plow vehicles this winter with impressive results.
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               PLAN EARLY TO TAKE PART IN EARTH DAY EVENTS AROUND CNY

Earth Fest 2023 Sustainable Manlius is partnering with Renewable Fayetteville to bring EarthFest back for 2023! This year EarthFest will be held at Fayetteville's Canal Landing Park. With even more EV's to showcase at the EV Car Show, Music, Food Trucks, Fun Activities for kids and more, EarthFest will be an amazing event celebrating sustainable practices, products and more.
Learn how you can electrify your ride, home and more at EarthFest 2023! Visit “EV Row” where you can see a variety of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and their owners. Meet with local organizations who offer great educational resources and volunteer opportunities to help make our community a more sustainable and eco-driven community. Connect with local business owners and learn how their business is striving to help our community reach our sustainability goals.
For more information contact Craig: 315-952-4227

​

​Downtown Syracuse Earth Day Registration
The Downtown Syracuse Earth Day Cleanup 2023 will be Saturday, April 22. Throughout the morning, our staff will meet volunteers at four different locations spread out through Downtown Syracuse. We'll provide gloves, trash bags and distribute t-shirts to all volunteers.

8:30 am - Clinton & Adams Streets: Early birds can meet our staff at the parking lot behind 572 S. Salina Street (map).

9:00 am - Onondaga Creekwalk: Our crew will meet the next round of volunteers at the Walton Street extension near West Street (map). To provide a frame of reference, this is the park located across from the Syracuse University Warehouse.

9:30 am - Armory Square: Our third meeting location is in Armory Square. We meet volunteers on the lawn outside The MOST (map).

10:30 am - Downtown East: Our fourth and final meeting location of the morning is at 217 Montgomery Street (map)

If you are interested, let us know how many volunteers will be participating, the location if you have a preference and the sizes of the shirts for your volunteers.

If you have any other questions, please email us at Mail@DowntownSyracuse.com.

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PLACE
Corner Rt. 370 & Vann Road
Baldwinsville, NY US 13027
DESCRIPTION
EARTH DAY HALF MARATHON, 5K & Relay      April 23, 2023
The Earth Day Half Marathon & 5K has quickly become one of CNY’s most looked forward to springtime races! Along with some of the best swag out there, all participants get a tree to plant! Runners love the connection to the countryside setting. As you run along the low-traffic country roads, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of rolling farmland, pastures with cows and horses and the lookout at Beaver Lake. The race start/finish and post-race fest are at the Emmi Farm’s Greenhouse with lots of parking, conveniently nearby- within walking distance.
The half marathon is mostly a loop course on low-traffic, country roads with many friendly neighbors that come out to cheer you on! The course is described as having rolling hills with a couple good ones between Mile 8/9. The Half Marathon Relay is a 2 person relay with each member of the team running 6.55 miles (1/4 marathon). The 5K is an out & back along two fairly flat stretches of country road.
The Earth Day Half Marathon, Relay & 5K event benefits the Baldwinsville Meals on Wheels, the Volunteer Center and other local not for profit groups.

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Ready for spring? We. Can't. Wait. Enjoy a lovely day outside, get some exercise with friends and pick up litter during OCRRA's Annual Earth Day Cleanup!
You won't find a more flexible way to volunteer! Pick an area where you'd like to clean up litter in Onondaga County, pick your partners and pick the time and day.
Individuals or groups can register to volunteer on Friday, April 21 or Saturday, April 22 - Earth Day!
OCRRA will mail trash bag stickers and drop-off instructions to group leaders before the event.
Since YOU lead the way, this is a perfect opportunity for company community service, volunteering as a family or getting your exercise group out of the gym.

Register here by April 12, 2023: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/522956365567

It's never too early to start planning for better weather and a clean community.




Reprinted from Farm Journal Ag Web
What Bodies of Water are Considered WOTUS?
By JIM WIESEMEYER March 19, 2023
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The EPA’s new definition of Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) takes effect Monday. It will be a key topic Wednesday when EPA Administrator Michael Regan appears before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Naysayers to the Biden WOTUS approach should take heart because as usual, EPA will take longer than most expect to implement it.
WOTUS BackgroundBiden’s EPA action would replace the Trump-era WOTUS rule with a new regulation that would expand federal protections for certain bodies of water.
The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 3, 2021, and is known as the "Definition of Waters of the United States" rule. Under the proposed rule, the following bodies of water would be considered WOTUS and therefore subject to federal regulation:
Traditional navigable waters
•    Tributaries that contribute perennial or intermittent flow to such waters
•    Certain ditches that meet specific criteria related to flow and function
•    Certain lakes and ponds
•    Impoundments of otherwise jurisdictional waters
•    Wetlands that are adjacent to jurisdictional waters


 The proposed rule also seeks to provide more clarity around which waters are not considered WOTUS and therefore not subject to federal regulation. For example, the rule would exclude certain types of ditches, ephemeral streams that only flow in response to precipitation, and groundwater.
The Biden administration has emphasized that the proposed rule is grounded in science and aims to protect public health, support communities and economies, and address climate change. However, the rule is likely to face legal challenges from industry groups and some states and as noted, the real “clarity” will come by June via the Supreme Court ruling.


Don’t waste your time following congressional efforts to overturn the WOTUS rule under the Congressional Review Act (CRA).
Even though it passed the House, and even should it clear the Senate (by no means a certainty), President Joe Biden has already said he would veto it and the votes to override are lacking.


               INTERNATIONAL TASTE FESTIVAL AT THE NEW YORK STATE FAIR GROUNDS
The 2nd Annual International Taste Festival will be held April 1, 2023 at the New York State Fairgrounds ~ Center of Progress Building!
With a focus on the tastes and traditions of many different countries and cultures, we invite you to attend with family and friends.
Enjoy foods from our diverse Regions:
* Foods of the Americas
* Asian Creations
* Middle Eastern Treats
* Pan African Cuisine
* Tastes of Europe
Enjoy family fun, local diverse entertainment, and all food vendors will offer $2 sample items, along with full priced items!
An International Taste Fest 5K/10K is also part of the event- please see attached details for separate registration.
Visit us here for updates and… we can’t wait to see you there!
International Taste Festival 2023 details:
​April 1, 2023
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
NYS Fairgrounds ~ Center of Progress Building
581 State Fair Boulevard
Syracuse, NY 13209
https://www.showpass.com/internationaltastefest/

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Syracuse PHA Horse Show
The 71st Annual Syracuse Chapter PHA Horse Show with competitions for riders of all ages.
USEF NATIONAL RATED JUMPER 1 RATED.
Featuring Hunter Classics, Junior/Amateur Owner, Children's, Adult Amateur, & Bit O'Straw.
New for 2023: $3500 Syracuse PHA Pairs Exhibition
ADDITIONAL DATES AND TIMES
Thu, Apr 27, 2023 at 8:00am - 8:00pm
Fri, Apr 28, 2023 at 8:00am - 8:00pm
Sat, Apr 29, 2023 at 7:30am - 8:00pm
Sun, Apr 30, 2023 at 7:30am - 6:00pm

DETAILS
                                        MANY THANKS 
                      TO OUR  NEWSLETTER SPONSORS!!​
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 March is Women's History Month

Meet Mollie H. Beattie:
Mollie H. Beattie (April 27, 1947 – June 27, 1996) was an American conservationist and government official who served as director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2009, she was designated a Women's History Month Honoree by the National Women's History Project.
From 1985 to 1989, Beattie was Vermont Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation. From 1989 to 1990, she was deputy of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. From September 10,1993 to June 5,1996, she served as the first female director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.  She oversaw the successful reintroduction of the gray wolf into northern Rocky Mountains. During her tenure, she oversaw the addition of 15 new wildlife refuges, and established over 100 new habitat conservation plans. Mollie also fought fiercely in Washington D.C. to bring a new "ecosystem approach" to fish and wildlife management, to protect the wildlife refuges, and against efforts to weaken Endangered Species Act of 1973.

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                                  Skaneateles Weather Station Encourages IPM
                                         By Eric Jensen, Resource Conservation Specialist
The Skaneateles Lake Watershed Ag Program (SLWAP) is partnering with Anyela’s Vineyard to install a KestrelMet 6000 ag weather station to foster greater Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program use in the watershed. This station is compatible with the Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA) which collects on-farm weather data from more than 700 weather stations across 15 partner states and generates crop production tools and IPM forecasts. These agronomic tools promote better IPM, reduced pesticide use, and improved environmental protection.
The on-farm weather data and all the IPM tools are available on the internet via the www.newa.cornell.edu website at the Skaneateles station marker. Many farm managers find that “NEWA provides reliable IPM information that supports responsible management practices, enhances decision-making, and increases awareness of pest and production risks.”
A comprehensive suite of various crop IPM tools and pest forecast information, including for grape management, is available on the website. The growing degree day (GDD) calculator is very helpful to any local grower or gardener to track plant and pest development stages. This Skaneateles IPM weather station will provide valuable data for local growers and has the potential to help reduce environmental risks in the watershed for years to come.
For more information, contact the SLWAP & Onondaga County Soil & Water Conservation District office location at 6680 Onondaga Lake Parkway, Liverpool at (315) 457-0325.
Pictures Above : Jim Nocek of Anyela's Vineyard standing next to the IPM weather station.
BEAVER LAKE NATURE CENTER
8477 East Mud Lake Road
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Wood Duck WanderAdvance Registration Required
No duck is more striking than the Wood Duck, which is often found at Beaver Lake nesting in the old Beech trees along the Deep Woods Trail. Early spring is when Wood Duck pairs seek a suitable nesting location in a hollow tree. A quiet guided walk in the early morning may allow you to see one of nature’s finest offerings.
SATURDAY
APR 1
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
FREE WITH NATURE CENTER ADMISSION
315-638-2519

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today announced applications are being accepted for New York State’s 2023 Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Leopold Conservation Award. Presented in partnership with the Sand County Foundation, the annual award honors a farm and its nominating Soil and Water Conservation District for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In New York, the $10,000 award is presented in partnership with national sponsor American Farmland Trust, and state partner Cornell Cooperative Extension.  
Commissioner Ball said, “The distinguished New York AEM-Leopold Conservation award is a great way to honor our state’s farmers who work hard to protect our environment and combat climate change; preserve soil health and water quality; and leave the land better than they found it. I thank the Sand County Foundation and all of our partners for their collaboration in presenting this award, and encourage eligible farms to work with their local Soil and Water Conservation District to apply.”  
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. The Sand County Foundation presents the Leopold Conservation Award to private landowners in 25 states. In New York, the longstanding AEM Award joined with the Leopold Conservation Award program in 2020, most recently awarding Greenfield Farms of Skaneateles in 2022. 
Applications for the New York AEM Leopold Conservation Award are now being accepted, with county Soil and Water Conservation Districts applying on behalf of the farm. Eligible candidates successfully incorporate AEM Best Management Practices into the management of the farm, assisting the landowner in meeting business and environmental goals. Applicants should demonstrate conservation leadership and outreach in the agricultural sector and be an inspiration to other landowners. 
Applications for the New York AEM Leopold Conservation Award must be received by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets by May 27, 2023. Nominations will be reviewed by an independent panel of conservation leaders. Interested candidates should contact their local county Soil and Water Conservation District. Contact information can be found at https://agriculture.ny.gov/soil-and-water/soil-water-conservation-district-offices.  
​The application can be found at www.sandcountyfoundation.org/ApplyLCA. 
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Endorsed 4-Hour Erosion                                           & Sediment Control  Training
The 4-Hour Erosion & Sediment Control Training is a required course for certain contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and other qualified individuals that will be involved with the implementation of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan on a construction site that has coverage under a NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit for Stormwater Discharges from construction activity.  The certification received by this course is viable for 3 years from the date that the training was completed. This course is required for new employees involved in such activity as well as individuals who have not taken the course within the past 3 years.
Under the SPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity, certain contractors (Trained Contractor) and certain Qualified Inspectors are required to complete 4 hours of Department endorsed training in the principles and practices of erosion and sediment control (E&SC) every 3 years.
Trained Contractor - Prior to the commencement of construction, an owner or operator shall have each contractor and subcontractor, that has been identified as being responsible for implementation of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), identify at least one employee from their company (Trained Contractor) that has received 4 hours of endorsed E&SC training. The Trained Contractor must be on site on a daily basis when soil disturbance activities are being performed and will be responsible for implementation of the practices included in the SWPPP.
Qualified Inspector - An owner or operator of a regulated construction project, with some exceptions, shall have a Qualified Inspector conduct specific site inspections. Certain Qualified Inspectors who work on these sites (i.e., individuals working under direct supervision of, and at the same company as, a licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Landscape Architect of NYS) are required to complete 4 hours of E&SC training under the General Permit.
*****If your organization requires 4 Hour Erosion and Sediment Control Training, please contact Onondaga County Soil & Water to speak with one of our certified trainers, Conor Larkin, Aaron Buchta, or Mark Burger.*****

watershed_inspector_job_posting.pdf
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                             Pollution Insurance: Are You Properly Covered?
Information Provided by: 
Kristen Juliana, CIC, CRM, AAI
Licensed Insurance Agent/Broker
Eastern Shore Associates
Pollution Liability Insurance can mean different things in different industries. Company forms can be standard or non-standard, and coverage can be written on a narrow or broad scope. It is very important to read your policy forms and make sure your agent is familiar with all of your operations.
So, why is there a need for Pollution Insurance? Standard General Liability policies exclude Bodily Injury or Property Damage arising out of the release, dispersal, seepage, migration or escape of a pollutant. Depending on the policy, pollutants can be defined as a solid, liquid, gaseous, thermal irritant, or contaminant, including smoke, vapor, soot, fumes, acids, alkalis, chemicals, odor, or waste. In addition, waste can include materials to be recycled, reconditioned, or reclaimed.
There are two common options to obtain Pollution Coverage for your operations. First, General Liability policies can be endorsed to cover specific (narrow) exposures depending on the industry and your coverage needs. The second and broader option is a stand-alone Pollution policy that can be tailored to meet your operation’s needs.
Farming, for instance, has some unique exposures that might include:
o Pesticide/Herbicide Application and Storage
o Transportation of Pollutants (Milk can be a pollutant)
o Non-Owned Disposal sites
o Manure Storage Facilities
o Spreading Manure
o Above or Below Ground Fuel Tanks
Coverage to look for in your Pollution Program:
On-Site and Off-Site Clean Up Pesticide/Herbicide application/overspray
On-Site and Off-Site Bodily Injury Over the Road Exposures
On-Site and Off-Site Property Damage Legal Defense
Off-Site Application of Manure Nutrients Bacteria and Odors as Defined Pollutants
Cleanup of Natural Resources Above Ground Storage Tanks/Manure Storage
Under Ground Storage Tanks (fuel, waste oil,
heating oil)
A well nurtured agent client relationship will help you identify exposures and seek out options for insuringagainst loss and not leaving coverage to chance.
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WE NEED YOU, SYRACUSE!
We’re looking for YOUR help to grow the Syracuse Community Forest in 1 of 2 ways:
1. Receive a FREE tree planted in front of your house in the city of Syracuse, N.Y. Homeowners, email sharris@syr.gov, to see if you qualify.
2. Volunteer at Syracuse City community tree planting events, watch for upcoming posts for event dates and times.


​                                         UPDATES FROM MICRON
By Glenn Coin | gcoin@syracuse.com
3/6/2023
Syracuse, N.Y. – The four semiconductor manufacturing plants Micron Technology has pledged to build in Clay would be as tall as the JMA Wireless Dome.
The 160-foot-tall plants would be flanked by dozens of other buildings and facilities, from an office complex to an on-site water treatment plant.
Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard gleaned those details from Micron officials and the application the company filed in its hometown of Boise, Idaho, to build a manufacturing plant there. That plant will be the model for the four in Clay.
The Boise manufacturing plant, called a fab, would be 160 feet tall, according to plans Micron filed with the city of Boise. The fab will have a 600,000-square-foot clean room, or production area. It will look very much like the fabs planned for the Clay campus, Scott Gatzemeier, a Micron vice president in charge of U.S. expansion efforts, confirmed to syracuse.com.
“We’re going to take that one 600,000-square-foot fab and lay out four of them in New York,” Gatzemeier said. “Over time they will be built on very similar architectural and engineering designs to what we have here in Idaho.”
Gatzemeier said the four fabs in Clay will run north to south, and be linked by corridors. The fabs would sit back from the roads, and the public would see a large office building along Caughdenoy Road, he said. The rest of the campus would unfold behind it.
When you drive up, you just see the office buildings, with a good facade,” he said. “The lab and manufacturing and all the gas yards, electrical yards, and all that’s kind of behind it.”
The Boise fab, where millions of tiny computer chips will be produced, is just one of the buildings planned for the Idaho campus. The site would also have a water treatment plant, utility building and administrative offices and thousands of parking spaces.
The total square footage of those ancillary buildings would be three times greater than the fab’s footprint. The whole complex would have nearly triple the square feet of DestinyUSA.
In Clay, Micron says it will build two of those fabs over the next 10 years, at a cost of $48 billion, and the other two would be built in the decade after that. The fabs are plants where silicon wafers are turned into integrated circuits, the tiny chips that power personal computers, cell phones and other electronic devices.
​Each clean room inside the fabs would be the size of 10 football fields.
The Boise fab will also have twin gas-exchange towers, which look like smokestacks. Those towers will each be 185 feet high, taller than the Onondaga County Courthouse or Syracuse City Hall.
Micron already has a large research and development headquarters in Boise, where it has about 5,000 employees. The company owns about 1,000 acres and is annexing about 300 more for the expansion.
Onondaga County has acquired 1,400 acres at White Pines for the Micron development and is still buying up land, for Micron and for the suppliers and contractors expected to locate close to the fab.
Here’s what else Micron plans to build to support the Boise fab. The Clay site is likely to have similar and larger ancillary buildings.
  • A 620,000-square-foot water treatment plant.
  • A 350,000-square-foot building, called production support.
  • A 450,000-square-foot utility building.
  • A 440,000-square foot administration building.
  • A 22-acre electrical substation that will send power to the rest of the complex.
  • Twin 185-foot-high columns resembling smokestacks, to filter out gases from the fab.
  • About 6,000 parking spaces for employees, contractors and vendors.​
Micron said it will spend about $15 billion on the Boise expansion over the next 10 years. It will be built next to the company’s administrative and research complex. Micron will hire 2,000 workers for the fab, which the company said will create an additional 15,000 spinoff jobs.
​Construction is expected to start this year, and chip-making could start in 2025.
In Clay, Micron said it could spend up to $100 billion over the next 20 years. That would create an estimated 9,000 Micron jobs and 40,000 jobs in construction and supply chains.
The first project in Clay would employ 3,000 people in one $20 billion “mega-fab” that would begin production in the latter half of the decade, the company said. Site preparation is expected to begin this year at the White Pines Commerce Park, with construction starting in 2024.
Micron is the world’s fourth-largest semiconductor manufacturer, with revenues of about $31 billion last year. It’s one of the big three global producers of chips called dynamic random access memory, or DRAM. That’s the kind of chips Micron plans to make in Clay.

          SUPPORTING NEW YORK FARMS, FOOD BANKS, AND COMMUNITIES IN NEED
                                                 From the Nourish New York Website
New York State's Nourish New York Initiative is a lifeline for our families and our farmers who have been struggling with changes brought on by COVID-19. This critical program helps people who are food insecure to access the nourishment that they need, while providing a market for farmers to sell their products. A total of $147 million has been dedicated to the program so far. The funding will allow New York's emergency food providers to continue to purchase surplus products from New York farmers and dairy manufacturers and deliver it to New York families in need through the end of the year.
New York farmers, suppliers, and processors are encouraged to share details about their available products, such as produce, meat, eggs, seafood, and dairy products, so food banks across the state can find New York agricultural food products to purchase and distribute to communities in need.
For more information, please email NourishNY@agriculture.ny.gov.
                          



BAT AND BIRD HOUSES ARE HERE!!!!!
             TO ACCESS OUR ONLINE PARTNERS
                         CLICK ON LINKS BELOW
Snow and Ice Control Best Management Practices​​snow_and_ice_control_best_management_practices.pdf

Boat Decontamination
​ boat_decontamination.pdf

Skaneateles Lake Watershed
SKANLAKEINFO.ORG 

ONONDAGA ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE
www.oei2.org/

Kettle Lakes Watershed News:
​www.uppersusquehanna.org/usc/kettle-lakes/

Sharing the Road with Slow Moving Vehicles - What you need to know.
             http://www.safeny.ny.gov/media/SMV-broc4-09.pdf
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​​​Water Deflectors - Managing Surface Water & Reducing Erosion on Unpaved Roads    
water_diversion.pdf
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What's the Poop on Manure Lagoons?  To watch the interview, click below​http://www.newyorkupstate.com/news/2017/06/whats_the_poop_on_manure_lagoons_see_how_they_work_why_farmers_need_them_video.html​ ​  ​​

Information on Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
https://blogs.cornell.edu/nyshemlockinitiative/
https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7250.html
https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/hwafactsheet.pdf
http://nyis.info/invasive_species/hemlock-woolly-adelgid/
Our mission is to promote excellence in the wise use of our rural/urban natural resources.
Our vision is to live in a society in which future generations will have natural resources necessary to sustain and enrich their quality of life.
​​The Onondaga County Soil & Water Conservation District prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.
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