The Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) today announced it has completed a restoration project on a recently acquired property adjacent to Otisco Lake. 650 native trees and shrubs were planted by FLLT staff and members of the Onondaga Earth Corp, a Syracuse-based group with the mission “to empower youth to be active participants in creating positive change for their communities and the environment.”

The plantings will create a buffer of native plants around wetlands and lakeshore on the property, increase native plant diversity, and enhance the land’s long-term ability to protect lake water quality.

Photo: Bill Hecht

The FLLT acquired the 35-acre property over the past summer. It features 2,300 feet of undeveloped shoreline at the southeastern end of Otisco Lake, in the town of Otisco, and was identified as a priority for protection due to its role in maintaining the lake’s water quality. The property will be conveyed to Onondaga County to manage as a public conservation area subject to a perpetual conservation easement held by the FLLT.

All trees and shrubs planted were documented as native to Onondaga County. “Planting at Otisco Lake was different because we were out of the city of Syracuse but I enjoyed it,” said Nesha Walker, Onondaga Earth Corp crew member. “It was a good experience to be on the vast property next to the lake. I would love to do it again and I hope our shrubs grow well!”

Funding for this project came from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Water Quality Improvement Project program and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Restoration and Implementation Program.

To watch a beautiful aerial video and learn more about the property, please visit fllt.org/otisco20.