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Great Lakes Action Agenda Public Meeting

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is holding a series  of regional workgroup meetings to engage with the public about New York’s Great Lakes Action Agenda 2023 (GLAA) (PDF). The workgroups will assist in the implementation of the action plan to guide restoration and conservation and foster sustainable, resilient communities across New York’s Great Lakes region.

Announced in July 2023, the Action Agenda is a strategic ecosystem-based action plan to guide restoration and conservation and help communities in New York’s Great Lakes Basin better prepare for flooding and severe weather events driven by climate change. Building on the foundation of the first GLAA released in 2014, the updated plan provides a shared vision and blueprint for achieving healthy Great Lakes lands and waters through coordinated, collective action by the many federal, state, and local partner organizations working throughout the watershed.

The upcoming southeastern workgroup meeting will be held:

Southeast Lake Ontario:
Nov. 29, 1 – 4 p.m. – McCrobie Civic Center, 21 Lake St., Oswego

Filed Under: Events of Interest

Invasive Species Calendar

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Every year the District publishes an Invasive Species Calendar. The 2024 is now in production. If you would like a FREE calendar, please fill out the form below.

Calendars must be picked up at the Lyons, NY office in November/December.

Filed Under: Invasives Tagged With:

We’re Hiring

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Job posting for a CONSERVATION DISTRICT PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST (Soil & Water)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This position is responsible for performing public relations duties and supervising the dissemination of information in a Soil and Water Conservation District. The work involves responsibility for editing and preparing written material for publications. The work requires imagination and a demonstrated flair for writing and visual presentation of informational materials. The incumbent receives general direction from the District Manager with leeway provided for the use of independent judgment; does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)
• Prepares written communications for public relations publications and press releases;
• Writes, composes, lay-out and arranges for publication of SWCD newsletters, news releases and other publications; in addition to organizing the mailings;
• Collaborates with community groups and school districts; support groups to plan workshops and special events in relation to conservation issues;
• Writes news releases and take photographs for all local newspapers/TV/radio for media coverage of District programs;
• Vigorously publicizes conservation achievements including performances, exhibitions, displays, dedications and recognitions;
• Develops, reviews and edits materials for District website and Social Media;
• Develops ways to bring conservation into the Wayne County school programs and bridges the education to co-curricular involvement in Envirothon programs.

FULL PERFORMANCE, KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat or other document creation/software communication programs; Good knowledge of publicity principles and methods; good knowledge if various photography and computer programs used in publishing; good knowledge of the organization, objectives and content of the Soil & Water Conservation District program; good knowledge of organizations and publications interested in the needs of community conservation; strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate to people in a concise and clear manner; ability to write, evaluate and edit the content, structure, grammar and format of a range of written material; ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with members of the press, television, radio and other publicity media; ability to get along well with others; initiative and resourcefulness; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Valid NYS Drivers License; and either:

1. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associate’s Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or a related field and one (1) year of satisfactory experience in journalism, communications, public relations or marketing; or

2. Graduation from high school or possession of an equivalency diploma and three (3) years of experience as detailed in (1) above. Approved and adopted 11/25/15

DOWNLOADABLE DOCUMENTS (right click to download) Documents open in the same window.

Filed Under: District News

Electronics Recycle Event – Lyons, NY

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The District’s next Electronic Recycling Event will be on Wednesday October 4th and Thursday October 5th for Wayne County Residents. Registration is required. Click here to read more and to register!

Filed Under: Events of Interest

Thinking about Bee Keeping?

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Are you thinking about beekeeping and wondering what all the buzz is about?
Join Master Gardener and Beekeeper, Barb Cummings and learn the basics of beekeeping and what it involves.
Topics covered will be equipment needed, possible diseases and pests, extracting, overwintering, and options for all that wax and honey! We’re hoping this workshop will help you decide whether to Bee or not to Bee keep!
Registration opens Monday, Oct. 16th – $10.00 per person
Mail a check, or stop by the office with cash or check:
CCE Wayne County, 1581 Rte. 88 N., Newark, NY 14513
In the memo: Bee Class
Filed Under: Events of Interest

Water Quality Update 07-28-2023

28 Jul by

Water Quality Update 07-28-2023 – FAQ

Although duckweed can cover the water surface, it is not algae, and does not produce harmful toxins.

1. Why are weed and algae conditions so frequent this year?

Weed growth in 2023 is in direct correlation from early season water temperatures which began growth early.   The fast and random nature of the storm systems rolling through, keep causing flushes from the tributary streams. Nutrients from these streams are moving into the bay which is causing stronger weed beds in general and with the clarity of the water more dense growth is occurring.  Weeds, many of the Bay viewers are seeing, include many natives and invasive species combined this year. Surprisingly, earlier in the season, regular milfoil, elodea and eel grass.   This past week, the bay turned over which caused a mixing of the water columns. Think of “shaking the Italian dressing bottle.” The previously individualize water columns have now been blended which forced many of the weeds to reach maturity and die. This causes a release of nutrients back into the water, which causes algae to grow and die and then float to the top. Currently, the “nutrient plops = algae” is mixing with break off and floating duckweed.

Certain areas of the bays that are shallower and restricted in water movement do have potential for Cyanobacterial blooms aka Blue/Green Algae.

Cyanobacterial Blooms

How can you help? Run a boat slowly through the area to introduce oxygen and mix the water columns. Oxygen keeps these bacterial strains from growing and multiplying.

2. Are the weeds and striated algal harmful to animals or humans?

The weeds them self and algae that is currently present in many of the areas in Sodus Bay, are not harmful to animals or humans in the nature of medical concerns.
Cyanobacterial Blooms are, if you begin to have an area that looks like a paint spill on the water, do not go in the water or allow animals too. Slowly move the water with a boat or bubbler to introduce oxygen and mitigate growth of the impacted area. https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html

3. How can people get rid of the weeds gathering along their docks and crowding their shorelines?

Short term response to mitigate the algae and weeds from becoming a long term cycle of nutrients from dying plants becoming food for new growth, removal is the best option.  Pull a small amount onto your dock to dry in the sun, then scoop up and apply to flowers or vegetables.  Weeds dry down about 90% and are full of nitrogen. Weeds do not grow well in areas were there is moving water. Regular movement of water and increased oxygen has a lot of benefits.  It will reduce strong weed growth, draw fish and other in water wildlife to eat the weeds. The oxygen will also mitigate algal growth.

Other things that will mitigate weed growth in your immediate waterfront is how you care for your lawn.  Please see Homeowners guide for additional details on strategies: Homeowners Guide for Shoreline Property Owners

 

Filed Under: Water Quality Updates

Finger Lakes Natural Heritage Area Feasibility Study

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The National Park Service (NPS) today delivered the final Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Feasibility Study to Congress. The feasibility study determined that the 14 county study area in the Finger Lakes region of New York state meets the congressionally established criteria to be eligible for inclusion as part of the National Heritage Area System. The counties included in the study area included Wayne, Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, and Yates.
The study found that Central New York’s landscape is nationally important for its association with the distinct geological formations of the Finger Lakes.
This is a very large PDF document (56m), but you can download here: Click Here

Filed Under: District News

2023 Wayne County Youth Derby

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Filed Under: Events of Interest

We’re Rooting for you Mark! – Finalist for AEM-Leopold Conservation Award!

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The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets announced the three finalists have been selected for New York’s AEM-Leopold Conservation Award!

Dygert Farms Creamery (Montgomery County, NY), Humbert Farms (Wayne County), and Tongore Farm, Olivebridge, NY. (Ulster County)

All three family operations that demonstrate exemplary commitment to agriculture conservation. Their dedication and leadership implementing conservation practices not only help provide economic and environmental benefits to their farm but also to the communities in which they farm, protecting the valuable land and water resources of New York State.

Congratulations to these finalists for what is already a tremendous accolade, and look forward to continuing our celebrations when we we join with the Sand County Foundation to award the AEM-Leopold Conservation Award later this year!

We’re rooting for you Mark Humbert!

Filed Under: District News

Blind Sodus Bay Erosion Control

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Filed Under: Other
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