Category: Uncategorized

Kari Terwilliger, Director, Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development

The Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development was awarded a grant from the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund to conduct the Countywide Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Pre-Planning Inventory and Analysis Project.

As part of this effort, the Cayuga County Department of Planning & Economic Development invites community members to participate in a Project Kickoff event. This meeting will introduce residents and stakeholders to the Countywide BOA Pre-Planning Inventory and Analysis planning initiative by providing an overview of the project scope and key topics to be addressed. Additionally, they are seeking public input to help identify and prioritize sites around the county that are potentially contaminated and/or underutilized. A public survey will be released immediately following the meeting to gather additional public input and comments. This project represents a vital step forward in identifying priority sites that may be potentially contaminated and/or underutilized across the county for future cleanup and redevelopment.

Both meetings will follow the same format and cover the same materials, so attendees are encouraged to come to the session that is the most convenient for them. Each meeting will begin with a brief presentation and then continue open house-style with interactive displays. The meetings are scheduled for the following dates & locations:

Southern Location
Wednesday, April 22nd from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Locke Volunteer Fire Department; 1060 State Route 38, Locke, New York 13092

Central Location
Thursday, April 23rd from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES; 1879 W. Genesee Street Road, Auburn, New York 13021

Anyone with questions please send an email to planning@cayugacounty.gov or call (315) 253-1276.

Cayuga Recycles, a program of the Cayuga County Planning Department, in conjunction with the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, is sponsoring the annual “Trade-A-Tree” program in Cayuga County. Bring in your “used” (real) Christmas tree after the holidays, and we will give you a certificate for a tree seedling to be picked up in the spring! Old trees will be chipped into mulch to be used on county projects, rather than taking up space in landfills. A White Spruce seedling will be given out to anyone who redeems their certificate on May 8, 2026, at the Annual Conservation District Spring Tree & Shrub Sale.

Trees must be free of decorations, tinsel, wraps or any other foreign objects. Trees will be accepted at the Natural Resource Center, 7413 County House Road, Auburn, NY during the following hours:

December 26, 2025, from 8 AM – 3:30 PM.
December 29-30, 2025, from 8 AM – 3:30 PM.
December 31, 2025, from 8 AM – 12 PM.
January 2, 2026, from 8 AM – 3:30 PM.
January 5-9, 2026, from 8 AM – 3:30 PM.
January 12-16, 2026, from 8 AM – 3:30 PM.

For more information, please visit our website at https://www.cayugacounty.gov/1820/Trade-a-Tree-Program or call the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District at 315-252-4171 ext. 4, or stop by their office located on County House Road in Sennett. They are available Monday – Friday from 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM.

By Michele Wunderlich, Principal Environmental Planner, Cayuga County Planning Department

As the beautiful fall colors arrive and leaves begin to drop, it’s important to remember that how we manage those fallen leaves can affect the health of our local lakes, rivers, and streams.

When leaves break down, they release phosphorus, a natural nutrient that plants need — but too much of it in the water can lead to algae growth, poor water quality, and harm to fish and other wildlife. When leaves are raked or blown into the street, ditches, or storm drains, rain and melting snow can wash them straight into nearby waterways. That is why managing leaf litter properly is key to keeping our water clean and healthy.

Easy, Lake-Friendly Ways to Manage Leaves

Mulch them:
Run your lawn mower over leaves to shred them into small pieces. These mulched leaves naturally decompose, enriching your soil with nutrients and improving its structure.

Compost them:
Mix fallen leaves with grass clippings and other “green” materials to create nutrient-rich compost for your garden. It’s an easy way to recycle organic matter and give back to your soil.

Leave them in place:
In garden beds, around trees, or in wooded areas, let leaves stay where they fall. They provide habitat and food for beneficial insects, protect soil, and help retain moisture.

Keep dead stalks:
Avoid cutting down dead stems or branches until spring. They serve as shelter for overwintering insects and birds, helping local wildlife make it through the colder months.

Why It Matters

Protects water quality — Keeps excess phosphorus out of our lakes and streams.
Reduces waste — Keeps leaves out of landfills and supports a more sustainable, “circular” economy.
Improves soil — Adds organic matter, helping your soil stay healthy and moist.
Supports wildlife — Provides food and shelter for pollinators, insects, and birds.
Helps meet Cayuga County and state goals — Aligns with Cayuga County and statewide efforts to reduce waste and protect our natural resources.

Every Leaf Counts

By managing your leaves responsibly, you’re doing more than keeping your yard tidy — you’re helping protect clean water, support wildlife, and strengthen your community’s environmental health.

Let’s keep our yards beautiful and our waters clean — one leaf at a time!

 

By Sam Beck-Andersen, Coordinator, Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management

Keep an eye out for spotted lanternfly! Spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive insect from Asia that feeds on dozens of plants found here in the Finger Lakes, including grapes, apples, maple and walnut trees, and more. This pest sucks sap from host plants and secretes honeydew, which in high concentrations can cause black sooty mold that damages plants.

Last fall, Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) staff were the first to identify spotted lanternfly in Ontario County on the Hobart and William Smith Colleges campus, right down the street from their offices at the Finger Lakes Institute. New and significant populations in the Finger Lakes region have been identified in 2025 and have garnered interest and concern from local grape growers and other stakeholders.

Finger Lakes PRISM staff have been working closely with Cornell Integrated Pest Management and Finger Lakes Grape Program teams, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to track and respond to new populations in the area. This invasive insect is on the rise in the Finger Lakes, and you can help managers track its spread. While active management methods for grape growers are available, the public can also help to support the efforts to address spotted lanternfly in the Finger Lakes by reporting sightings. Head over to Cornell IPM’s spotted lanternfly page for more information about threats, life cycle, management, and reporting – https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/whats-bugging-you/spotted-lanternfly.

Also, feel free to contact Finger Lakes PRISM staff for more information: Sam Beck-Andersen, Finger Lakes PRISM Coordinator – beck-andersen@hws.edu; Lydia Martin, Terrestrial Invasive Species Program Manager – lmartin@hws.edu.

Dr. Adam Effler, Executive Director

When asked about the significance of the WQMA to the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council (OLWMC), Executive Director Adam Effler shared:
“From my perspective, the WQMA meetings are incredibly valuable for learning about what other organizations in the environmental conservation sector are working on. Coming to understand the various projects and programs that are underway among partnering groups helps me identify potential partnerships and support mechanisms. The meeting discussions also prompt new ideas and pathways for the OLWMC.”