Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship

Eye on the Sky: Derby Hill Hawk Migration (3/25/10 - 3/31/10)

2010-03-29T11:48:00.016-04:00

Throughout the year, the eastern shore of Lake Ontario is a great destination for bird watching enthusiasts, due to its combination of unique habitat and positioning along major migratory routes for many species. Spring is a particularly exciting time to watch the skies along the shore, as this time of year brings the return of the raptors. Starting in March and continuing through May, a wide variety of birds of prey, including Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks and many others, can be seen making their way north along the eastern shore. When conditions are right, thousands of raptors can pass overhead in a single day. One of the best sites to view this spring migration is the Onondaga Audubon Association's Derby Hill Bird Observatory, located just south of the Salmon River near Mexico, New York.

A view from the bluff overlooking Lake Ontario at Derby Hill. Photo: Greg Chapman, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

When conditions are right, numerous birdwatchers will converge upon Derby Hill to observe the spring hawk migration. I, Steward Greg Chapman, visited Derby Hill on March 27th, a sunny but cold Saturday morning, and joined a group of about ten birdwatchers keeping their eyes on the skies. It didn't take long before an impressive variety of birds were spotted--sometimes solitary, sometimes in groups--making their way overhead. Many were relatively common species seen this time of year such as Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks, which were seen in abundance, and several Bald Eagles were seen as well. Several less common species were also sighted during my brief visit, including a Northern Goshawk and an early Osprey--the second sighted this year (although these will become more common as the season progresses). What was really exciting for me, however, was a visit from a Golden Eagle, who came close enough for me to get a great look at through my binoculars. This was my first time seeing this large bird whose numbers have been increasing in recent years.

Jason Mauro of Syracuse, NY and Counter Seth Cutright (in red) look for hawks at Derby Hill Bird Observatory in Mexico, NY. Photo: Greg Chapman, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

Derby Hill has been an important hawk-watching site for over 40 years--its elevated position along Lake Ontario's southeastern shore makes it the perfect spot to observe high-flying raptors heading north. These birds will not cross Lake Ontario during their migration, because they depend on currents of heated air rising off land heated by the sun, known as "thermals." Riding these thermals allows raptors to conserve energy during their long flight north. Derby Hill is one of a number of sites that keeps careful track of how many hawks are sighted each year--since 1979, a full-time counter has been employed by the Onondaga Audubon Society each spring to observe and tally the returning raptors. This spring, visitors to Derby Hill are likely to meet Seth Cutright, a Wisconsin native who is serving as this year's counter. The data he collects is entered into a database maintained by the Hawk Migration Association of North America (HMANA). The counts can be found online, with both monthly summaries for this year as well as daily reports, by clicking here.

Paul M. Roberts, in the foreground, Counter Seth Cutright, in red and other birdwatchers position themselves for the best view of migrating raptors. Photo: Greg Chapman, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

The Derby Hill Bird Observatory is free and open to the public, and is located at 36 Grand View Ave in Mexico, NY. Directions can be found here. If you come, be sure to bring your binoculars. A helpful guide illustrating some of the important features of the many raptors that may be seen, as well as silhouettes that will help identify hawks flying high over head, is provided online by HMANA and can be found here. The number and variety of birds seen each day is dependent on a number of conditions; although some raptors will likely be seen most days throughout April that are free of rain and unusually cold weather, in general the best days to come are on warm, partly cloudy days with wind coming from the south. Mid to late April is truly the peak of the spring hawk migration season; some days may see thousands of raptors passing overhead, including many Broad-winged Hawks that often arrive in great numbers. For more information about Derby Hill and the spring hawk migration, visit the Derby Hill Bird Observatory website at http://www.derbyhill.org/.

Step Into Spring! (3/18/10 - 3/24/10)

2010-03-29T00:24:00.008-04:00

The Step Into Spring Fair at Jefferson Community College on March 24th drew in students and local community members who wanted to learn about recreational opportunities within Jefferson and Oswego Counties. Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Coordinator Mary Penney, and I, Steward Liz Wolff, spoke to dozens of visitors about the various wildlife management areas that are free to visit in both counties and also about recreation along the Salmon River. We were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who had visited the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes or Salmon River previously. Some people, however, were unfamiliar with those resource areas, and so we offered them maps, educational materials and suggestions about what locations they might like best.

Steward Liz Wolff welcomes visitors to the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program display at the Step Into Spring Fair at Jefferson Community College. The display includes photos from past educational programs and recreational opportunities at the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and on the Salmon River. Photo: Mary Penney, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

The event was also a great place to meet other local groups who promote stewardship. We met with leaders of both Boy and Girl Scout organizations who wanted to know how their young people could become involved with volunteering in partnership with the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program (ELODSRSHP). Potential volunteer opportunities include invasive species removal and organized beach cleanups--two areas where the more enthusiastic volunteers who pitch in, the better the result! We also made another exciting connection with Fort Drum Community Outreach Educator, John Pike. John was interested developing a relationship between the ELODSRSHP and the Fort Drum community so that the stewards could educate soldiers and their families about fun and proper usage of local resource areas.

Fort Drum Community Outreach Educators John Pike and Nancy Fitting provided visitors with information and guides to local recreation. Photo: Liz Wolff, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

The Wild Center at Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks was another presenter at the fair. The Wild Center is a museum including live animals and exhibits that change daily. Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County also had a display; they have a program specifically dedicated to Agriculture and Natural Resources in Jefferson County. There is a multitude of fun and educational outdoor programs and activities in Oswego, Jefferson and other counties across New York State. Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events section of this blog to find out what's happening next!

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County--one of the many vibrant and educational displays at the Step Into Spring Fair at Jefferson Community College. Photo: Liz Wolff, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

A Great Time to be Outdoors! (3/11/10 - 3/17/10)

2010-03-16T01:52:00.020-04:00

With the blanket of snow on the ground rapidly disappearing, one last winter event took place on Saturday, March 6th at Winona Forest in Mannsville, NY. Steward Greg Chapman attended The Tug Hill Tourathon, an annual cross country ski race hosted by the Winona Forest Recreation Association. One hundred seventy five participants competed over three distances (12.5km, 25km, and 37.5km) during the one-day event. Full results can be found here, and more information about Winona State Forest and the Winona Forest Recreation Association can be found here.

A pack of cross country skiers race at the Tug Hill Tourathon hosted by the Winona Forest Recreation Association. Several events take place at Winona Forest each winter. Photo: Greg Chapman, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

Left to right: Brooke and Ted Orosz of New York City, and Mark Plaat of Albany participated in the Tug Hill Tourathon. Photo: Greg Chapman, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

One winter recreation activity that continues despite the melting snow is fishing along the Salmon River. Steward Greg Chapman reports that although water levels have risen recently due to snow melt and releases from the reservoir, many determined anglers are still sticking around to take advantage of the great steelhead fishing.

A train passes over-head as an angler tries his luck at the Schoeller fishing access location. Photo: Greg Chapman, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

As the weeks progress, there will likely be more traffic on the Salmon River as we head into the prime of steelhead spawning season. Steelhead, unlike Pacific salmon, usually do not die after the spawning process, meaning that they can spawn multiple times during their life-span.

Capturing Clues of a Waning Winter (3/4/10 - 3/10/10)

2010-03-15T17:34:00.012-04:00

With the exception of the sound of waves crashing against ice along the coast, the drumming of woodpeckers as they drill into trees, and the occasional hum of snowmobiles off in the distance, the eastern shore of Lake Ontario is quiet in winter. Recently, I, Steward Liz Wolff, took a trip to Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to check for signs of human recreation and to capture images of the winter landscape. Though my snowshoe tracks were the only ones around, I did see plenty of animal tracks in the snow, some of which may have belonged to the skunk I could smell lingering in the area. The most incredible sights and sounds, however, were along the cobble shoreline of Deer Creek Marsh WMA. Ice buildup on the water's edge created huge mounds--mounds that were quickly melting as the sun beat down, ushering in early signs of spring.

Top: Ice and snow build up on the shore of Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area. Bottom: North facing view of Deer Creek. Photos: Liz Wolff, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

Steward Greg Chapman has been enjoying the sun and warmer temperatures along the Salmon River Corridor. At the Salmon River Falls Unique Area, Greg noticed that the ice sheet which once covered most of the falls has melted allowing the water to cascade into the gorge once again. On a much smaller scale, Greg was fascinated by the sheer quantity of stoneflies emerging along the Salmon River. Close inspection of the snow, rocks, and bridges around the river revealed at first a few, then dozens, then hundreds of these small flies. Anglers wishing to "match the hatch" (a popular artificial bait selection strategy for catching trout) took note of these emerging adult insects, as well as their immature aquatic nymphs. These nymphs can be found by looking under river rocks this time of year.

Warmer temperatures have begun to melt the ice, allowing water to flow over the Salmon River Falls. Photo: Liz Wolff, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

Stoneflies are an important source of food for larger inhabitants of the river, including steelhead and brown trout. However, the flies are also an indicator of the river's water quality. Stoneflies in general are sensitive to pollution, and their presence is a sign of clean, unpolluted water. The Salmon River, whose waters flow from a 285-square mile drainage basin consisting largely of undeveloped, forested Tug Hill Plateau lands, is considered a high-quality cold water fishery. Therefore, the abundance of these stoneflies along the river is to be expected as an indicator of the river's continued health and cleanliness!

This is a stonefly, which belongs to the scientific Order Plecoptera. All stoneflies belong to this order. Photo: Greg Chapman, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

It's that time of year: Steward Recruitment! (2/25/10 - 3/3/10)

2010-03-08T11:41:00.009-05:00

Only a few short months remain before a new group of stewards will begin patrolling the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Salmon River Corridor. Over the last several weeks, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program Coordinator Mary Penney and I, Steward Liz Wolff, attended local college career fairs to recruit potential steward candidates.

On January 28th we visited Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) and spoke to interested students about what it means to be a steward. From public education in the natural resource areas to blogging about our experiences, we detailed the range of tasks that make being a steward an educational and rewarding experience. The FLCC career fair was also a great place to debut the new stewardship display. Complete with updated photos of both the Salmon River and Eastern Lake Ontario Dune sites, the display board visually summarizes the stewards' main activities and objectives.

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program Coordinator Mary Penney and I had another opportunity to recruit on February 24th at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). The Ninth Annual Environmental Career Fair drew in hundreds of students looking for jobs and internships. We talked to many eager students who signed up to receive
updates about the recruiting process. To our delight, we even met ESF graduate student, Matt Brincka who is a New York Sea Grant Scholar working for Diane Kuehn and Valerie A. Luzadis from ESF's Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management. Matt is currently investigating Constraints and Motivations Related to Bass Fishing along the Lake Ontario Coast. The goal of the study is to promote a strong and sustainable Lake Ontario resident bass fishing population. The request for proposals (RFP) for the next round of New York Sea Grant project funding is due 3/05/2010. To learn more about this study visit
http://www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/Images/Uploads/PDFs/omnibusresearch0910-projects.pdf .

ESF graduate student and New York Sea Grant Scholar Matt Brincka and New York Sea Grant's Mary Penney discuss the progress of the research project that Matt's working on. Photo: Liz Wolff, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

Though the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat program is reaching the end of its contract cycle, potential stewards are still encouraged to apply. Multiple grant proposals were submitted and, pending funding, a new group of stewards will begin work in May. If you are a college student, recently graduated, or a graduate student interested in applying, please visit www.nysgdunes.org and click on the job descriptions to learn about the application procedure. Interviews begin in March so don't delay, apply now!

Mush! ( 2/18/10 - 2/24/10)

2010-03-01T00:32:00.016-05:00

When you think of sled dog racing, maybe the first thing that comes to mind is the famous Iditarod in Alaska. The Iditarod, a grueling course 1,150 miles in length, takes ten or more days to complete. Upstate New York offers mushing opportunities of its own. Though not as epic in length or famous as the Iditarod, local races are a chance to watch or participate in this great winter sporting event.

On Saturday February 20th, Steward Greg Chapman and I, Steward Liz Wolff, headed for the Tug Hill region to attend the Mannsville Quest Sled Dog Competition held in Winona State Forest. The 10,000 acre forest, as part of the Tug Hill, averages nearly 300 inches of snow per year, making it an ideal spot for winter recreation.

Top: A team comes through the chute at the conclusion of the race, but the dogs just want to keep on racing! Photo: Greg Chapman, Eastern lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program. Bottom: Members of a team from Canada rest up before their big race! Photo: Liz Wolff, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

This year's sled dog races, organized by the Pennsylvania Sled Dog Club, ran throughout the day on Saturday February 20th, and Sunday February 21st. Teams of four and six Nordic pure breeds competed in mid-distance races, while "fun" races in the afternoon were open to all breeds. Each competing team raced anywhere from 2.3 to 15.5 miles through pristine snow-covered woodlands.

During the event, we spoke to participants who graciously answered our questions about their fascinating sport. We learned that the most intelligent dog is chosen to be the leader, and that sometimes the dogs wear booties to prevent snow and ice build-up which can cause injury to their paws. We also took the time to survey visitors and participants about sled dog racing and other winter recreation they take advantage of in the area. We use the data collected in the surveys to try and better suit the needs of future visitors.

Sean Samolis of Syracuse, NY introduces the stewards to a member of his racing team. Photo: Greg Chapman, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

Aside from sled dog racing, Winona State Forest is a fine location for cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. Next Saturday, March 6th, check out the 30th Annual Classical Cross Country Ski Race beginning at 9:00 AM at Winona State Forest. For more information on the race and registration, visit http://www.winonaforest.com/skiers.html.

Winter Recreation (2/11/10 - 2/17/10)

2010-02-19T00:32:00.010-05:00

This time of year, it may be difficult to think about anything other than ice fishing on local lakes and ponds. Not so for the crowds of people with summer on their minds who came to the Central New York (CNY) Boat Show, held February 10th-14th at the New York State Fairgrounds. In addition to the numerous boat and boat accessory retailers displaying their wares, attendees were also greeted by the New York Sea Grant Clean (NYSG) & Safe Boat. The 22-foot Grumman pontoon boat, built in New York State and made available by the Marathon Boat Group, was loaded with all the required and recommended safety gear, as well as a variety of items to help make boating more environmentally friendly. All items were clearly labeled, and stationed nearby were groups, such as the Coast Guard Auxiliary, who could further explain specifics related to each item. The NYSG Clean and Safe Boat campaign may be making the rounds at various 2010 summer events to help educate and encourage clean and safe boating.

The New York Sea Grant "Clean and Safe Boat" on display at the CNY Boat Show. Photo: Greg Chapman, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

Transitioning from the warm thoughts at the NYS fairgrounds to the chilly temperatures outdoors, Steward Greg Chapman braved the cold for the 33rd annual Sandy Pond Sportsman's Association (SPSA) Ice Fishing Derby on February 13th & 14th. Nearly 270 anglers took part in the event, which was held behind Sandy Pond's barrier dunes, a familiar sight to summer beach goers from around the area. The event came to a close Sunday evening, when many of the participating anglers gathered at the SPSA clubhouse to witness the announcement of the winners. Steward Greg Chapman was also present with a display highlighting steward activities along the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands Area as well as the nearby Salmon River corridor. Greg provided informational literature and answered questions about the natural resource areas and the mission of Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards.

Garrett Peterson of Pulaski, New York displays his winning Northern Pike (31.5 inches long, weighing in at 8.40 lbs) at the Sandy Pond Sportsman's Association 33rd Annual Ice Fishing Derby. Photo: Greg Chapman, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

Later in the day, anglers who caught the top three perch and pike in adult and kids categories were awarded prizes. Prizes were also given for the top walleye, and the smallest perch caught in the kids age group. The full list of winners is posted at the SPSA's website.

Mid-winter Bald Eagle Survey 1/08 - 1/13/2010

2010-02-16T10:41:00.009-05:00

It's that time of year again! For the 32nd consecutive year, New York State participated in the national mid-winter bald eagle survey. Although the actual survey dates began in December, 2009 we were only available to participate during the last week. It was Steward Liz Wolff's first time participating on the survey, while Steward Greg Chapman was returning for a second year. Liz was pleasantly surprised at the number of bald eagles that she observed. With the estuary being completely frozen, most of our sightings were along the headwaters of the Salmon River and Salmon River Reservoir. A total of 6 bald eagles were observed during the survey route during the "target date" January 11th. It was an experience that we will always remember!

Each year is important, but 2010 was especially important for the survey! This is the final year for the 25-year (1986-2010) national and regional trend analysis. The lowest statewide count in the last seven years was in 2007. While the highest in the same time span was in 2008. More information on bald eagles and the statewide mid-winter bald eagle survey can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7068.html.

Why does the state care about the wintering population of bald eagles? Historically bald eagles thrived in New York State. By 1960, the visiting winter population had dwindled to a few dozen and nesting pairs were reduced to a single pair. Drops in year-round and wintering bald eagle populations were likely a result of shootings, habitat loss, and chemical use, which was later banned in 1972.

A program with Alaska has helped increase the number of bald eagles in New York State.
Tips for viewing bald eagles (from http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9378.html):
- Winter is the best time to view bald eagles.
- Dress appropriately (layers, boots, hat, gloves, binoculars, etc.)
- Scan tree lines for eagles perched in the tops trees.
- Look overhead for eagles that are soaring.
- Scan any ice or islands for feeding eagles.
- Eagles are most active during first and last light hours.
- Remain in, or near your vehicle.
- Avoid roosting areas.
- Do not make noise.
- Respect regulations, the environment and private property.

Please remember: Harassing, disturbing or injuring a bald eagle is a federal offense and carries a penalty of up to $20,000 and/or one year in jail.

A tree adjacent to the Route 3 (south) bridge on the Salmon River. Do you see anything in the tree?
Looking closer, it's a bald eagle! Photos: Mary Penney, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program.

Winter Wonderland!!!! January 2010

2010-02-16T10:21:00.002-05:00

We are pleased to announce that after a couple of months of recharging Stewards Greg Chapman and Liz Wolff will be back along the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Salmon River corridor! This will be the second year the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program has stewards in the natural resource areas during the winter months. Since this is only the second year of the winter portion of the program, Greg and Liz will be gathering more information on the various winter recreational opportunities and attending some of the events in the natural resource areas. We will be posting updates about our findings as we go. Some of the events that we hope to report on are the annual wintering bald eagle survey, snowshoeing, dogsledding, and of course our experiences in the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands Area and Salmon River corridor during the winter months. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit these areas during the winter, we invite you to experience the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands and Salmon River corridor through our blog; we hope you enjoy it!

Dunes at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) (left) and Deer Creek Marsh WMA (right).

Beachgrass at Black Pond WMA. Photos: Greg Chapman, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewardship and Habitat Program

Steward Q & A (11/12/09 - 11/18/09)

2009-11-18T10:52:00.018-05:00

During my time on the Salmon River I, Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff, have been asked many questions about my experiences. Now that I am on the brink of finishing my time as a steward I'd like to answer those questions and reflect on some of the best moments of the season.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a Salmon River Steward?

A: For me, the most rewarding moments are when I can provide people with information that they didn't previously know. Sure, it's great to have a conversation with someone who is knowledgeable about the river, but when I educate to make a difference, that is when I feel true stewardship occurring. Of course my other favorite part of the job is my "office," or the Salmon River itself. I love being outside rain or shine, and spending time in the resource area beats spending time in a real office any day.

Q: What was your best experience while working on the Salmon River?

A: I really enjoyed helping out and giving educational programs at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery during spawning season. I came in knowing next to nothing about pacific salmon and was quickly submerged in a wealth of information that I had to absorb quickly in order to present it to other people. I liked interacting with the various school groups that visited the Hatchery, they always had the greatest questions, especially the younger kids.

A frost coating at Sportsman North foreshadows the cooler weather to come. Photos by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

Q: If you could change one thing about the Salmon River what would it be?

A: Though I am always explaining the carry-in/carry-out regulations to visitors, there is sometimes litter that still gets left behind. I hope that in the future everyone can practice good stewardship and encourage fellow anglers and visitors to pick up litter along the river or in parking areas. The vast quantities of balled up fishing line are especially dangerous for fish, turtles, and waterfowl. I would like to see the Salmon River preserved and litter-free.

The Salmon River Falls Unique Area, a must-see location in the Salmon River Corridor. Photos by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

Q: Where would you spend all your time on the River, if you could?

A: To be honest, I would probably alternate between a few places. The Salmon River Falls Unique Area comes to mind first. It is amazing to have such a scenic jewel so close by. Next I would choose the Upper Fly Fishing Area. This short stretch of river is pristine and provides some great hiking opportunities. I've also met some really interesting people while monitoring the Upper Fly. My third and forth locations would be the Pineville Fishing Access and Schoeller/Paper Hole because I love taking photos of bridges (For the blog, obviously!).

Bridge at Pineville Fishing Access Location during peak foliage. Photo by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

Q: What is the most interesting thing you learned about fish?

A: Learning about the process of imprinting was very cool. I never really understood how salmon returned back to the place they were born so that they could spawn. When fish are raised at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery they are eventually put into a smolting pond and they go through a physiological change during which they imprint on the water from the Salmon River, the Hatchery, and Beaver Dam Brook. During imprinting fish memorize the chemical attributes of a body of water. They then use their keen sense of smell to return to that location later in life.

An angler proudly holds up a steelhead caught in the Lower Fly Fishing Area. Photo by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

I've immensely enjoyed my time as a Salmon River Steward and I hope I have the opportunity to work in the area again in the future. Thank you for reading the blog all these weeks, and for your continued support of the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards Program!

Studying the Past, Looking to the Future (11/5/09-11/11/09)

2009-11-12T11:33:00.019-05:00

On Thursday, November 5th I attended the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Conference at the New York State Fairgrounds. The workshop's purpose was to reflect on past management strategies and plan for the future stewardship of the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland Area (ELODWA). Attendees of the meeting included members of The Ontario Dune Coalition (TODC) which represent a variety of groups such as The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, New York Sea Grant, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Jefferson County Soil and Water and several private landowner associations, to name a few.

Views of Lake Ontario from Black Pond Wildlife Management Area, part of the ELODWA, during the summer of 2009. Photos by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Liz Wolff.

The discussion kicked off with a presentation about, "New York's Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Wetland System: Guidelines for Resource Management in the 21st Century," a report prepared by Geoffrey Steadman that can be found here. After reviewing the progress of TODC's past initiatives, we were asked to break into groups and brainstorm ideas for future projects that would benefit the ELODWA. Suggestions covered a broad scope of issues enveloping everything from the management of invasive species, to the creation of an educational Visitor's Center along the eastern shore.

I enjoyed attending the meeting because I had the opportunity to contribute feedback from a steward's point-of-view. In the future, I would like to see public education programs expand so that all visitors to the eastern shore will grasp the complexity of human impacts on natural resource areas. The understanding of ELODWA as a unique and fragile system will help to ensure its continued protection for years to come.

Purple Jelly Drops or Ascocoryne sarcoides (top) and Armillaria Root Rot or Armillaria mellea (bottom) located at Trestle South along the Salmon River. Photos by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

I am nostalgic about my times as an Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward, I and was happy to spend the early part of my week discussing the future of the resource areas that I've grown to love. Now though, I am back in "river mode," and am preparing for the conclusion of my term as a Salmon River Steward. While the upper sections of the river, specifically around Altmar, NY, have been relatively busy, finding anglers to talk with down river has been a challenging task. Anglers that I have spoken with, however, are pleased with the number of fish coming into the river during this early part of the steelhead run. An interesting fact that can impact angling success is that specific weather conditions and times of day are better to fish for steelhead than others. For example, steelhead do not like bright light, so when it is sunny outside the best time to fish is during the first and last hour of daylight. When the skies are overcast, steelhead are more likely to be active all day. The recent streak of sunny weather may be why fewer anglers have reported having good luck. Knowing the fish's behavior and preferences can help make any fishing trip more successful!

An angler catches a brown trout in the Upper Fly Fishing Area. Photo by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

Transitions (10/29/09 - 11/4/09)

2009-11-03T14:20:00.009-05:00

Perhaps one of most attractive places along the Salmon River Corridor is the Salmon River Falls Unique Area. Last week Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman and myself, Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff, took a drive up to the falls to do some end-of-the-season pickup and leaf raking. I also took the opportunity to hike the Gorge Trail which is the very steep path used to access the riverbed area. I had never gone down the Gorge Trail before, but I quickly realized that it can be dangerous, especially at this time of year when fallen leaves and precipitation make the rocks slippery.

Left: River Steward Greg Chapman rakes leaves at the Salmon River Falls Unique Area. Right: Gorge view of Salmon River Falls. Photos by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

Another location at which visitors should use special caution is the top of the falls. Even while Greg and I were cleaning up, we had to remind some sightseers that they could not stand within 15 feet of the edge. Later on, Greg and I talked with a few more visitors: however, these individuals were eager to see anglers along the river and wanted to know what the closest access site was. We directed the people to the Upper fly Fishing Zone where, although salmon season is ending, greater numbers of trout fishermen are coming to the Salmon River in preparation for prime steelhead and brown trout opportunities in the coming weeks.

Top: Brown trout caught at the Paradise Pool. Bottom: Anglers along the Upper Fly Fishing zone.
Photo by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

Anglers in the Upper and Lower Fly Fishing Zones, specifically, have already begun catching beautiful trout for several days now, and are hopeful that this will be another plentiful season of fishing. In conversations along the river, Steward Greg Chapman has heard positive feedback about regulations limiting how many steelhead can be taken. Each angler is allowed to take one steelhead per day; this limit has noticeably increased the number of steelhead trout in the river. Many of the fishermen Greg spoke with also practice catch-and-release fishing, a habit that helps maintain a world-class fishery at the Salmon River.

View of the Salmon River Estuary. Photo by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

Unfortunately, as salmon season comes to a close so to does Greg's time as a River Steward. Before leaving Greg would like to say a few words,

"After two years working in this region, I can say I'm going to miss it. I've really enjoyed getting to know the resource areas (both the Salmon River and the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes), and the people who work and enjoy spending their time here. I certainly would not mind finding another job in this area; barring that, I'll definitely be back to visit. It will be interesting to see how these areas, that receive such heavy recreational use, while still being ecologically complex and sensitive, will continue to evolve to meet the needs of their natural inhabitants and human visitors alike."

Greg has been a fantastic steward as well as colleague. We wish him the best in the future and thank him for all the great work he's done over the last two years!

Odd Jobs (10/22/09 - 10/28/09)

2009-10-28T11:11:00.016-04:00

"Turtle rescue" isn't on the official list of duties for Salmon River Stewards, but when covering an area as large as the Salmon River, sometimes unexpected tasks come our way. For me, Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman, the normal walk along the train tracks on my way into the Schoeller fishing access site got pretty interesting when I nearly tripped over a large snapping turtle that had somehow gotten itself hung up on one of the tracks.

This turtle got more than he bargained for when he tried to "ride the rails" near the Schoeller fishing access site on the Salmon River. Photos by Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman.

I can't fathom how this turtle got itself into this predicament, but it didn't appear able to move itself off of the track. These are active train tracks, so as much as I don't normally seek to place my hands near a large snapping turtle, I did feel compelled to move him off of the tracks. I learned a great deal about how far snapping turtles' necks can extend, and just how quickly they can lunge when they feel threatened; not to mention the size of their claws! However, after carefully assessing the situation, I did manage to move the heavy, slippery and ill-tempered turtle successfully, and I lost no fingers in the process.

The snapping turtle was successfully transferred to the side of the train tracks, after taking time to pose for a few close-up shots. Photos by Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman.

Elsewhere on the river, things are a bit quieter than they have been in recent weeks with salmon season continuing to wane; although salmon continue to be sought and caught on the upper river (including some beautiful coho salmon), many anglers on the lower river are reporting good things about the increasing number of steelhead and brown trout to be had. After the hectic pace of peak salmon season earlier this month, the more relaxed atmosphere on the river is a welcome change.

Watching the trains cross the bridge near the Schoeller fishing access location. Photo by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

However, even with fewer people on the river, some problems have been observed. Particularly, the recent cold snap has made the idea of a warm fire appealing to some anglers; both myself and Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff witnessed open fires along the riverbanks this past Friday. Open fires are not allowed along the banks of the Salmon River, for several reasons: First, much of the public fishing access is accomplished through easements on otherwise private property, and fires and their remains are not appreciated by the private property owners. Second is the danger of an unattended fire spreading quickly because of the abundance of downed leaves, branches and pine needles along the river.

Though many of the birds have moved south as the weather chills, their nests, such as this one near Compactor Pool, remain. Photo by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

When visiting the Salmon River you will most likely see signs posted in parking areas that describe the regulations which apply to most areas of the river. Anglers should always check the regulations before using each site, in order to better understand how they can responsibly use the site and minimize their impacts. These signs can also provide information about other important regulations, such as seasonal tackle restrictions in the fly fishing-only areas upstream, and the daily catch limits elsewhere. These regulations are also available for review in the current year's Freshwater Fishing Regulations; be sure to note the special sections regarding Great Lakes tributaries and the Salmon River specifically. Nobody wants to end their fishing day by receiving a ticket from a Conservation Officer. Regulations are created and enforced with the needs of the fish and the fishery in mind, to help keep fishing great now and into the future.

Dead salmon are a fact of life along the banks of the Salmon River at this time of year, as Pacific salmon die after spawning. Photo by Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman.

And, of course, if you ever have any questions about regulations on the river, or any other aspect of the river and its inhabitants, feel free to ask us if you see us!

Oncorhynchus mykiss (10/15/09-10/21/09)

2009-10-21T11:25:00.016-04:00

In the last week I, Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff, learned an invaluable life lesson. The best way to absorb new information is to be responsible for presenting that information to others. In five days, I lead or assisted with six educational programs at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery. School groups from Holland Patent, Cortland BOCES, Lowville, Homer, Central Square, and Morrisville College all learned about or witnessed coho Salmon spawning first-hand. When I began my position as a Salmon River Steward, I had very little knowledge about angling, spawning and the river in general. Now, just a few short weeks later, I've broadened my knowledge base more quickly than I thought possible, mostly thanks to my role as an educator.

Garter snake at Schoeller public fishing access location.
Photo by Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman.

Whenever I lead a tour or program I encourage people to ask a lot of questions. Of course, I am pleased when I know the answers to them, but when I don't, I see it as an opportunity to learn something new. Being an educator also means being a learner, and I'm still learning new bits of information every day that I work as a steward.

The forest floor along the Salmon River is beautiful in the fall! Top left: Maple leaf with water droplets. Top right: Fungus on a tree stump. Bottom left: Tree stump with beaver teeth marks. Bottom right: Sulfur shelf. Photos by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

When I'm out on the Salmon River talking to anglers I hear a wide array of questions, comments, and concerns. Lately though, I keep hearing one comment again and again; "I can't wait for steelhead season!" Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman explains, "As colder weather sets in for the long haul, we also begin to see the transition from salmon season to steelhead season, a time many anglers have been anxiously anticipating. Fishermen this past weekend were already catching some beautiful brown trout and steelhead, and it sounds like we may have another great season on the way." In the last few days I've also noticed that more anglers are reporting catching steelhead. This hearty fish is often an angler favorite because of its "fighting" behavior when hooked. Steelhead tend to zigzag all over the river and jump into the air once they've taken their bait.

Witch Hazel flowers at Pineville. Witch Hazel is a common shrub along the Salmon River, and is unusual in that it flowers in the fall. Photo by Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman.

Steelhead are physically identical to rainbow trout, and are in fact the same species (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The difference lies in their behavior; while rainbow trout will inhabit a particular lake or stream throughout their life cycle, steelhead will migrate from open water up streams and tributaries to spawn. Although they spawn in the spring, steelhead begin entering tributaries in late summer and early fall, and feed heavily on salmon eggs. Unlike pacific salmon (such as the coho and chinook), steelhead do not die after spawning, and will instead "drop back" to the lake, remaining there until it is time to spawn once again.

Leaf shadows at Schoeller by Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman.
Fall foliage at Trout Brook by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

Native to the Pacific Northwest, steelhead migrate between the ocean and nearby rivers. They have been stocked in New York State in the mid-1970s from egg stock received from Washington State. Currently all steelhead stocked in New York are raised from eggs collected at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery in Altmar, NY during the spring. In addition to Washington strain steelhead, stocking of Skamania (also called "summer-run") steelhead has been taking place with the goal of making the Salmon River a more year-round fishing destination. Skamania tend to enter the river earlier (occasionally as early as May, more frequently between June and September), and stay in the river later than Washington strain steelhead. Currently, the Salmon River is the only New York river stocked with Skamania by the New York State Department of Conservation.

View of the Salmon River at Pineville drift boat launch. Photo by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

Whether you're enjoying the end of salmon season, anxiously waiting for steelhead season, or just curious about the area, there's always something to see and do in the Salmon River Corridor.

A Jam-packed Columbus Day Weekend! (10/8/09-10/14/09)

2009-10-15T13:27:00.025-04:00

Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff has been extremely busy this week leading educational programs at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery. The spawning process is well underway and the hatchery staff is approaching their quota for chinook eggs. On Monday, she gave an educational program to a group of Boy Scouts from the Boonville area. With several young fishermen in the group, the hatchery proved to be an exciting destination to learn about some of the biggest and best fish in the area. Unfortunately, because of the holiday there was little action in the "Spawn House," the room at the hatchery where the egg take process takes place. However, the boys and their chaperons were excited to take a tour of the Salmon River Falls Unique Area. The falls are breathtaking at this time of year and Liz recommends the view to anyone who has never visited before.

Boy Scouts and chaperons climb the stairs at the Salmon River Falls Unique Area. Photo by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

Tuesday brought a group of students from Huntington in the Syracuse City School District out to the hatchery for a program. These students were fortunate to see artificial spawning taking place right before their eyes. The group asked many thoughtful questions about spawning and other aspects of the river, as did the large group of about 100 students from Homer on Wednesday. Wednesday's group braved the cold temperatures to learn about fish identification as well. Liz says that she even learned some really cool facts from the fish ID presentation; for example, she didn't know that fish have a special sensory organ called a lateral line. The lateral line usually runs from the gills to the tail along both sides of the fish. When closely examined, you can see that the scales of the lateral line have small holes in them with hair-like protrusions that help the fish sense vibrations and movements. This special organ is what allows fish to swim in large schools without bumping into the fish next to them. The lateral line is also important in helping the fish feel sudden vibrations that might signal danger.

A brilliant Red Maple along the Salmon River - peak salmon season coincided with peak fall foliage this year. Photo by Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman.

The Salmon River itself was a very busy place this past weekend, as Columbus Day weekend typically represents the peak of salmon season. Fish and fishermen were found in abundance, with many anglers coming from out of town to take advantage of the three-day weekend.

The Salmon River is the fourth most heavily-fished fishery in New York State in terms of angler effort, coming in behind only the two Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. One reason the Salmon River is such a popular fishing destination is because of the abundance of public fishing access--an overwhelming majority of the thirteen miles of river below the first dam is accessible to the public for fishing. But this isn't because the banks of the Salmon River are publicly owned (i.e. owned by New York State)--rather, most of the fishing access on the river is possible because Public Fishing Rights (PFRs) have been acquired on otherwise private land.

Recent wet weather has made a variety of mushrooms a common sight in the forests along the Salmon River. Photo by River Steward Greg Chapman.

PFRs are easements that allows public access on private land for the purpose of fishing, and only fishing--all other activities, such as camping and building fires, are prohibited. For a detailed summary of what PFRs are, and what is and isn't allowed, see this NYS Department of Environmental Conservation webpage. Because PFRs are located on otherwise private land, the concerns of the land's owner must be respected.

Many fishermen who come to the Salmon River respect the resource by minimizing their impacts on the land, and by carrying out what they carry in. Unfortunately, when a fishery is as heavily used as the Salmon River is during peak salmon season, some trash does get left behind. In some areas, the amount of empty coffee cups, aluminum cans and especially used fishing line, is somewhat disconcerting.

Litter left behind along the Salmon River. Photo by River Steward Greg Chapman.

As Stewards, we do take the time to try and clean up some of the hardest-hit areas--the trash is unsightly on the otherwise-beautiful river, and the spent fishing line can be harmful to the area's wildlife. We also see other fishermen who spend time collecting not only their own trash, but trash left behind by others as well. Efforts to keep the river clean can go a long way in making PFRs more attractive to private landowners who may be thinking about opening their land for fishing access elsewhere. So, the next time you fill your fish limit, why not try and fill a trash bag as well?

Fall Fishing and Foliage! (10/1/09 - 10/7/09)

2009-10-09T11:36:00.017-04:00

Salmon season is hitting its peak, and the river is packed with fishermen looking to catch chinook and coho salmon on their way upstream to spawn. Some of these fish are striving to reach the Salmon River Fish Hatchery, returning to the place where their life began. Like many migratory fish species, salmon are able to return to their home streams by following the unique chemical composition of the water where they imprinted. Salmon raised at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery "imprinted" on the combination of well water and stream water used at the hatchery, and are now returning there in great numbers. Soon it will be time for hatchery staff to begin the "egg take" process, the first step in raising the next generation of salmon for stocking in Lake Ontario and its tributaries, including the Salmon River.

Anglers fish along side a drift boat at Altmar North. Photo by River Steward Liz Wolff.

The Salmon River Fish Hatchery, located on County Route 22 in Altmar, NY, is a great stop for anglers looking to learn more about the fish they're hoping to catch. The main building is currently open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day, and has numerous informational displays about the hatchery, the Salmon River, and the sportfish species found there. The facility is also great for families and offers a children’s area with coloring sheets, posters, and kid-friendly educational materials as well as an auditorium that plays a series of videos about fishing and the spawning process. This time of year, another attraction is the fish ladder where you can watch as thousands of fish make their way up to the hatchery.

Left: A salmon attempts to jump up the "waterfall" at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery. Salmon instinctually want to go up stream to spawn. Features like the fish ladder and waterfall help draw them closer to the hatchery. A gate is in place (Right) to stop the fish from traveling upstream past the hatchery, though some still make it over the gate when the water is higher. Photos by River Steward Liz Wolff.

An exciting time to visit the hatchery is during the salmon egg take, which begins on 10/8/09. No eggs are taken on weekend or holidays and activity typically takes place in the morning; afternoon sessions occasionally take place as well. The egg take will continue until the required number of eggs are collected, which varies in length from year to year. Call the hatchery for more information on spawning times.

Anglers on a beautiful fall day at the Pineville Bridge. Photo by River Steward Greg Chapman.

Tours are sometimes held for various groups at the hatchery as well. River Steward Greg Chapman conducted his first tour of the season this past Saturday for members of the Syracuse area YMCA. Greg enjoyed the opportunity to present some of the finer details about the hatchery operation, its history, and some of the considerations that go into keeping Lake Ontario stocked with sportfish.

The sun peeks down through the trees at Trout Brook fishing access location. Photo by River Steward Greg Chapman.

On Monday, I, River Steward Liz Wolff, gave a tour of the Salmon River Falls Unique Area to a group of women from Japan who were visiting as part of a Rotary Club program. Despite the rainy, cold weather the ladies enjoyed their tour and were quick to capture shots of the gorgeous fall foliage from the top of the waterfall. After the falls tour, the group headed back to the hatchery where they learned all about the Salmon River, local fishing industry, and the details of spawning season. Although the "egg take" had not started yet, the group was still excited to see thousands of fish making their way up the ladder and into the crowding channel. Before they headed home, I took the group to the Lower Fly zone in Altmar to see some fly fishing first-hand! There was no shortage of entertainment as we watched Salmon jumping up into the air and anglers fighting to land their fish.

The brilliant fall colors are reason enough to take a trip to the Salmon River Corridor! Photos by River Steward Liz Wolff.

When we're not wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of spawning season and tours at the hatchery, Greg and I love just being out on the river taking in the magnificent fall scenery and talking to anglers. We're always happy to answer your questions and chat about the river, so don't hesitate to strike up a conversation!

Cool Digs! (9/24/09-9/30/09)

2009-10-02T16:13:00.014-04:00

A group of fifth graders anxiously await the Habitat and Dwelling Steward Program Station at 2009 Oswego County Conservation Field Days. Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff describes the activity to the students. Photo by Mary Penney, Steward Coordinator, New York Sea Grant.

Thursday, September 29, Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff took part in Conservation Field Days at Selkirk Shores State Park. Conservation Field Days lets kids learn about conservation and environmental science through hands on demonstrations and activities. Oswego County Soil & Water Conservation District did an excellent job coordinating the event as always! The Steward Program has been participating for a number of years, and looks forward to Conservation Field Days each fall.

The theme for the Steward Program this year was "Animal Habitats and Dwellings." Liz created a display board depicting local animal habitats along the shores of riparian and Eastern Lake Ontario. She briefly asked the students to explain the terms "habitat" and "dwelling" and then broke each group of about 20 students into smaller teams. Each team then picked a card with a list of animal characteristics on it. Once the team solved the clues and identified the correct animal, they were given a picture of their animal and a box of materials to create the animal’s dwelling.

"Team Hornet" glues strips of newspaper onto their balloon like a swarm of busy bees. They are building a representation of a hornets' nest. Photo by Mary Penney, Steward Coordinator, New York Sea Grant.

For example, one card described the attributes of a hornet. The hornet box contained a balloon, piece of string, newspaper cut into strips and a glue stick. Once students blew up the balloon, then others glued strips of newspaper around it to represents the "papery" look of a hornets' nest. While the students were working, Liz explained that hornets actually chew up tree bark which mixes with their saliva to create the paper-like appearance of the hive. Once the kids were finished creating their habitats or dwellings, Liz presented them with a photo of the animal in its respective dwelling.

The creation of a great blue heron nest. Photo by Mary Penney, Steward Coordinator, New York Sea Grant.

Each team presented what they learned about their animal (why it creates a certain type of home for itself) and the structure they created. One girl was so excited about the hornets nest that her team built that she walked by us at the end of the day and said, "Thank you for letting me build a hornets' nest today!" Some students in the last group of the day built a great blue heron’s nest out of large sticks. The nest was so huge that students could actually sit inside it. The other kids in that class were amazed by the nest and commented that "it is really cool and looks just like a real Heron’s nest!"

"Team Squirrel's" interpretation of what a drey, or squirrel's nest looks like. Photo by Mary Penney, Steward Coordinator, New York Sea Grant.

Other animals the students could select were the beaver, yellow perch, pileated woodpecker and gray squirrel. After the children presented their animals and dwellings they were asked to show the class which habitat type around Eastern Lake Ontario their animal would live in. The groups chose from habitat types including aquatic, beach, dune, backdune/forest or wetland. Within the displays, tiny cutouts of the animals were hidden and the kids were excited to see that their animal had been hiding in front of their eyes all along! Overall the activity was a huge success and the kids loved that it was truly a hands-on experience. Hopefully the Animal Habitat and Dwelling activity can be used to educate students in the future!

Cleaning the Beach and Protecting the River (9/17/09 - 9/23/09)

2009-09-24T23:34:00.015-04:00

This past week Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman found himself experiencing a bit of dejavu as he once again found himself on the Eastern Shore of Lake Ontario. Greg returned to the Eastern Lake Ontario sand dunes - Lakeview Wildlife Management Area, to be exact - to help with a beach cleanup organized by the Great Lakes Research Consortium. Organizers were helped by a small crowd of SUNY ESF freshmen and several volunteers from the community. The cleanup, which netted 201 pounds of trash, was part of a larger, national Beach Cleanup Day organized by the American Littoral Society. A tally was kept of the most common items collected - leading the list were plastic bottle caps and balloon string.

Lakeview beach clean-up. Photo by River Steward Greg Chapman.

Salmon River Corridor
On the Salmon River this week I, Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff, assisted with a salmon stocking. Learning the proper techniques for releasing the fish was fascinating. Rather than setting them free in an area with slow moving water, it's best to release them in a location where the water is moving more rapidly, thus containing more oxygen. The water temperature is also crucial. Placing the fish into water that measures more than a couple degrees colder or warmer than they are used to may be a shock to their systems. One of the most interesting things I learned was how important it is to disinfect waders and other equipment after being in the water. Cleaning off the gear helps prevent the spread of non-native organisms from one body of water to another which could potentially harm living things within the system.

Preparing to stock Salmon. Photo by River Steward Liz Wolff.

River Steward Liz Wolff filling bucket with water during Salmon stocking. Photo by Ross.

Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman points out another potentially harmful entity that can be found both in Lake Ontario and the Salmon River. As we start seeing more Salmon being caught on the Salmon River, one thing to look for is the presence of sea lampreys, or the scars that these parasitic fish leave behind. Sea lampreys are native to the Atlantic Ocean, and are an undesirable addition to Lake Ontario. They were likely introduced to the lake when the Erie Canal was completed in the early 19th century, and have since spread throughout the Great Lakes.

Lamprey washed ashore at Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area. Photo by River Steward Greg Chapman.

Sea lampreys are parasites that feed upon many species of fish, including sport fish like salmon and trout. They feed by attaching themselves to fish and sucking out fluids. Salmon and trout are sometimes caught with lampreys attached in the Salmon River; however, often the only evidence of a lamprey's past attachment is the presence of a round scar or wound, about 1 to 2 inches in diameter.

Close-up of lamprey teeth. Photo by River Steward Greg Chapman.

Although lampreys continue to be a nuisance, their numbers are greatly reduced from what they were in the past. When Pacific salmon first began returning to the Salmon River Fish Hatchery following initial stocking efforts in the late 1960s, the fish averaged 14 lamprey scars apiece. Since then, several strategies have been employed to bring lamprey numbers under control, including the application of a chemical lampricide called TFM(3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol)to streams. TFM is more dense than water, and applied to tributaries of the Great Lakes and other nursery habitats of lampreys. The chemical is able to effectively reach and kill them before the young lamprey mature and migrate to the lake, where they begin feeding as adults. Today, lamprey numbers are much lower than in the past, and sport fish populations are healthier as a result.

Healthy fish populations are part of what makes the Salmon River a great place for anglers, especially during the fall. So take a trip to the river and fish for yourself or come just to see what all the excitement is about. The stewards are happy to listen to your questions and point you in the right direction!

Lower Fly Zone opens! (9/10-09 -09/16/09)

2009-09-18T10:02:00.024-04:00

Anglers at the Lower Fly Fishing Catch-and-Release Zone on the Salmon River. Photo by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

With the Lower Fly Zone opening on Tuesday September 15th, we find ourselves further into "salmon season"-type activities along the Salmon River corridor. Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff spent Tuesday at the Lower Fly, interacting with anglers and learning more about fly fishing. She saw about 45 anglers early in the morning hours, but as the afternoon progressed numbers tapered off. Some anglers landed 4 or 5 fish while those not having much luck seemed to enjoy the sunshine and a day at one of their favorite fishing spots!

Liz learned a lot on Tuesday. For example, she saw first-hand just how crucial it is to take time reviving a fish before releasing it back into the river. When an angler fights a fish on his or her line the fish can become extremely fatigued which can sometimes cause a fish to die after being released. Holding the fish in moving water, so the water can enter the fish's mouth and over the fish's gills, increases the chance that the fish will survive after being released. Properly revived fish may perhaps give other anglers opportunities to challenge the fish in the future.

New England Aster along the Salmon River. Photo by Salmon River Steward Liz Wolff.

For myself, Salmon River Steward Greg Greg Chapman, the start of salmon season means a continued adjustment, as I strive to balance my full-time schoolwork with my now part-time job. Seeing the river on the weekends gives me something to look forward to, as it forces me to get back outdoors at a time when many other responsibilities are competing for my time. This past weekend featured some beautiful weather, and it felt great to see so many sections of the river that I have not visited in quite a while.

A view of Trout Brook, a tributary of the Salmon River. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

After a strong Labor Day weekend, less fish were to be had in general along the river. Perhaps because of this, most locations on the river were much quieter than I expected. It's not unusual at these times to speak with anglers who are just as happy to be outdoors and on the river, even if the fishing action is slow. The middle section of the river did experienced a higher volume of anglers though we didn't see anyone land any fish.

Beaver lodge near Altmar North along the Salmon River. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

I saw some surprising sites along the river this past weekend. Perhaps most unexpected was a new beaver lodge along the shore at Altmar North, with the beginnings of a dam constructed nearby. Although the lodge is relatively far from the several nearby access points, it is in an area that will be heavily traversed as salmon season truly gets underway in the weeks ahead. It should be interesting to see how it survives the crowds.

Baldfaced hornet nest at Trestle North. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

I also saw an unusual number of baldfaced hornet nests along the north shore of Trestle Pool. Three separate nests were spotted, one being somewhat low to the ground near the old trestle crossing, a popular viewing area for people just arriving at the river. It's probably not a bad idea to keep an eye out for nests such as these along the river; thankfully, baldfaced hornets are not known to be extremely aggressive. However, they will protect their nest if it is disturbed or if people get too close. They are best to be avoided!

As the season gets into full-swing, there is no doubt that more and more people will be coming to the salmon river to try their luck at landing a trophy salmon. Stewards are available to answer any questions you may have about the natural resource; if you see us, say hi!

Summer draws to a close... (9/03/09 - 9/09/09)

2009-09-09T10:59:00.016-04:00

The nights are cooler, the days are shorter, and the leaves are just starting to show their fall colors. Although the seasons have not yet officially changed, the passing of Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of the summer Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Steward season.

A fallen leaf in bold fall color...a sign of the changing seasons along the Salmon River. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

For some Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards, the time has come to head back to school and concentrate on their studies. Salmon River Stewards Jim Katz and Emily Freeman and Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards Paul Dawson and Stacy Furgal worked their last days recently, and we wish them luck in their educational endeavors!

For some of us, this means a change of scenery as we switch from working at the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes to new responsibilities along the Salmon River corridor as Pacific salmon spawning season gets underway.

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune-turned-River Steward Liz Wolff experienced her first day working on the Salmon River on Saturday. This past weekend was a white water release, and she was able to speak with a lot of kayakers and rafters from all over the state. A large group of 60 people were rafting down the river with a rafting outfitter from Letchworth State Park. She had the chance to listen in on some safety tips about rafting on the river which were really fascinating. Later in the day she talked with some anglers at Black Hole and Long Bridge, two popular fishing access sites in the village of Pulaski. Not many had luck catching fish but that will most likely change in the weeks to come when salmon season truly gets under way.

A view of the Salmon River near Compactor Pool. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

For myself, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune-turned Salmon River Steward Greg Chapman, returning to the river feels like a homecoming. I worked as a Salmon River Steward last summer, fall and into the winter steelhead season.

There were many anglers catching Chinook salmon, which confirmed a report of a small run of fish that day. Although I saw very few paddlers and rafters taking advantage of the whitewater release, those I spoke with reported having no trouble sharing the river with the many anglers present.

A Chinook salmon caught on a streamer in the lower stretch of the Salmon River. Photo by Mary Penney, Steward Coordinator for New York Sea Grant.

Of course, Labor Day weekend, especially one as pleasant as we had this year, also brings many people to enjoy the beach at the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes, some for perhaps the last time this season. Leaving SPB on Monday was slow-going, as I took time to say goodbye to many of the regular visitors that I've gotten to know this past summer.

Monarch butterfly on goldenrod at Sandy Pond Beach. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

As her days drew to a close at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area, Liz took some time to do some end of the year maintenance including picking up litter and fixing the snow fencing in places where it was pushed down. Many families came out to enjoy the Labor Day weekend and say farewell to the beach area as summer turns to fall.

Pebbles in the water at Lakeview Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Dune Steward Liz Wolff.

Spiderwebs on cedar at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Dune Steward Liz Wolff.

We have all enjoyed our conversations with you, and hope that we will meet up with you again. For those of you that are looking for more adventures, we encourage you to venture out to the Salmon River corridor.

Watch that Dune Grow! (8/27/09 - 9/2/09)

2009-09-04T09:28:00.020-04:00

Recently, you may have noticed your local Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward snapping photos of the sand dunes. Over the past few weeks, the stewards took part in the ongoing photo-monitoring project at El Dorado Nature Preserve/Black Pond Wildlife Management Area, Southwick Beach State Park, Sandy Island Beach State Park, and Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area. The photo-monitoring project is meant to document dune changes over time. Every 2-3 years a new photo is taken from the same photo-monitoring sites. The GPS coordinates have been recorded for each of the photo-monitoring sites. GPS coordinates paired with images of the photo-monitoring sites from previous years, help us locate each of the sites.

Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area in August 1997 and 2009. Notice the increase in vegetation has COMPLETELY covered the walkover in places. Photos by www.nysgdunes.org>.

Why is it important to monitor dune changes?
Over time, the dunes may appear to be different due to natural factors and human impacts. Having a documented example of how the dunes look from year-to-year helps to identify problem areas along the dune area, and even where dune blowouts beginning to develop. A dune blowout usually starts as a small path where the vegetation has died off, either naturally, or because of human or animal foot traffic. Over time, that small path is eroded away and becomes a gaping hole void of vegetation. If we can notice an area with the potential for a dune blowout the stewards can try to take measures to slow the process such as installing snow fencing or taking part in a dune grass planting.

Dune cherry patch on at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area in August 2003 & 2009. Left photo by www.nysgdunes.org, right photo by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward, Liz Wolff. Dune Cherry is a rare plant in New York State.

Watching the progress of growing vegetation is another reason for a double-take. The Eastern Lake Ontario sand dunes are home to a number of rare and endangered plant species. The photo monitoring project allows land managers to observe growth and declines of plant species in specific locations. For example sand cherry has been seen in a couple of the photo monitoring images (where it was absent before) over recent years.

Dune blowout at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area in August 2003 and 2005. Top photo by www.nysgdunes.org, bottom photo by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward, Liz Wolff. Black Pond WMA is host to some of the highest dunes along the eastern Shore of Lake Ontario.

Along the 17-mile stretch of Eastern Lake Ontario beaches, the dune are thousands of years old. They are remnants of glacial action, way before our time. Exposed sand will continue to migrate inland by wind and wave action unless it is stopped by a barrier. Vegetation on the dunes acts as a natural barrier to keep sand along the shore rather than in the wetlands. As a means of public education, Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards can use the photo-monitoring project to illustrate to visitors that small actions can create a ripple-effect that can negatively or positively impact the dune ecosystem over time. When visiting the dunes please remember how fragile they are. Please use protective dune walkovers and designated walkways when visiting the Eastern Lake Ontario to minimize negative impacts to the area. You can positively influence the area by not only removing your trash, but trash that has been left by others. If we practice admiring them from a distance now, these sand dunes will be around to admire for years to come!

Observation Points (8/20/09 - 8/26/09)

2009-08-27T15:06:00.019-04:00

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards are primarily educators. As educators, we strive to interact with the public by making ourselves available to answer questions and listen to concerns. Yet we, the stewards of the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands Area and Salmon River corridor, have another important role as master observers. We spend many hours in our respective natural resource areas observing public use, and changes in each of these areas over time. We are fortunate enough to perceive the shifting sands or alternating flows of the river. On a smaller scale, we may also catch the metamorphosis from larva, to pupa, to butterfly or track maple leaves as they shift from green in the summer to orange and red in the fall.

Pictured above: Monarch Butterfly larva at El Dorado Nature Preserve. Photo by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Liz Wolff.

The past week has been filled with signs of one season fading, and another being ushered in with new sights and sounds. Yet the cooler temperatures haven't driven away those devoted to Sand Pond Beach. Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards have observed that people are still out enjoying the sun and the remainder of their summer vacations, and what better place to do that than at the beach?

At Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area, the sundial maintained by Ron and Emmy Fisher of the Friends of Sandy Pond was dismantled for the summer. The sundial was a curious addition to the beach area that piqued the interest of many first time visitors.

Sundial at Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Champan.

Sandbars are one of August's signatures. Along the shores of Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area (WMA), sandbars provide a prime location for a variety of shorebirds including greater black-backed gulls. These birds are much larger, and less common, than herring and ring-billed gulls. One steward also spotted a Virginia rail, a crow-sized bird that is usually found in wetlands. The Virginia rail has a distinctive long, curved bill that makes it stand out in a crowd of gulls and terns. As the fall migration begins, the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands Area becomes restful stopover for many birds heading south.Unfortunately, not everything the stewards observe is an example of nature's brilliance. Sometimes when walking through the natural resource areas Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards see examples of how human impacts can alter the natural landscape, posing threats to the surrounding wildlife. On the southern section of Lakeview Wildlife Management Area (WMA), primarily accessible by boat, litter that washes ashore doesn't take very long to accumulate. One litter item that might be over-looked is the occasional balloon and piece of ribbon. However, this week one steward decided to see just how many balloons and ribbons had washed up on a small half mile section of beach at Lakeview WMA. When all the ribbons and balloons were tied together the result created a visual impact that shocked visitors to the area. Ribbon poses a large threat to fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife who can easily become entangled. Mylar balloons are a non-biodegradable product that will remain as part of the landscape for generations to come. Releasing balloons into the air after a celebration may be beautiful, but those balloons will fall somewhere, changing the natural landscape.

Greater black-backed gulls at Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

Balloons and ribbon collected and tied together over about a half-mile stretch at Lakeview WMA. Photo by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Liz Wolff.

At Black Pond WMA the approach of autumn is easily visible. Taking a stroll down the boardwalk through the deciduous forest will be increasingly colorful in the coming weeks as fall foliage emerges. Many visitors speed through the woodlands at Black Pond WMA in a rush to see the beach, yet the wetland is a thriving habitat that will prove to be bustling with activity for those who are patient enough to watch and wait.

Salmon River stewards can attest that the Salmon River corridor always has something new to see if you pay close attention to your surroundings. Take for example the tiny crab spider. These creatures may go unnoticed most of the time, but that's because they are skilled at blending in with their surroundings. Crab spiders will literally change color as their wait to catch unsuspecting prey on a leaf of flower. They do not spin webs, but rather ambush their prey and immobilize it with a dose of venom.

Crab spiders on the Salmon River. Photos by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

Watching these spiders hunt, observing changing foliage, noticing the amount of balloons on the shoreline, and checking off new birds during their migration are just some of the things we Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards do while we are in the natural resource areas that are available to you too while we are completing some of our other duties!

While along the lowest public access section of the mainstem of the Salmon River, a Salmon River Steward noticed some interesting remnants from long ago. In addition to the arches pictured below, there are remnants of trestles and foundations along the river, making the Salmon River an interesting area to walk.

Structure near Staircase fishing access on the Salmon River. Photo by Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman.

Being able to see so many amazing things every day is part of what makes our positions as Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards so unique. We hope people will take advantage of the last few weeks of summer and enjoy the resource areas in the way we get to all summer long!

Although there are many areas that are available open to public use, the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards wish to remind visitors when exploring these natural resource areas, please be respectful of private property owner rights. We hope to see you along the eastern shore or the river corridor soon!

Tours, Tours, and More Tours! (8/13/09 - 8/19/09)

2009-08-21T13:07:00.029-04:00

One of our favorite things to do as Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards is educate the public about these fabulous natural resources. Sometimes we educate informally (one-on-one), and other times we plan formal education programs for various groups upon request or as part of our media projects. To learn more about steward media projects visit www.nysgdunes.org. This week we had a great time with formal education about various topics from beachgrass vs. turf grass to the height of the Salmon River Falls. Does this sound exciting to you? Well, keep reading....

"Team Erosion's" Educational Program
Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Greg Chapman and myself, Salmon River Steward Jim Katz were at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) educating tour attendees about topics such as common causes of streambank erosion, the importance of native and natural vegetation to prevent erosive forces, how to minimize negative impacts when recreating along the Salmon River, beachgrass as a tool for preventing lake shore erosion and comparing and contrasting beachgrass and turf grass.

River Steward Jim Katz gives a demonstration on the importance of natural vegetation in preventing streambank erosion. Photo by Mary Penney, Steward Coordinator, NY Sea Grant.

Invasive species purple loosestrife. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

Although attendance was low, those who did turn out had a lot of great questions! The tour became a much larger conversation about many of the issues affecting the Eastern Lake Ontario shore from the invasive species purple loosestrife to lake level issues.

Dune Building Plants Program
Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Paul Dawson led a nature walk at Black Pond WMA that focused on plants that build dunes and their role in dune succession. He also showed participants how to identify many of the trees that are found along Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands Area. Paul had a great time educating people about the area. He had a great turn out of people that were eager to learn, and hope that they were happy with the tour he prepared for them!

Dune Steward Paul Dawson points out leaf patterns during his educational program. Photo by Mary Penney, Steward Coordinator, NY Sea Grant.

Fort Drum tours the Eastern Lake Ontario dunes and Salmon River corridor!
Most of our time this week (and part of the following week) was spent educating groups of children from Fort Drum, that ranged in age from 6 - 12. Each of the four groups toured Black Pond WMA with Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards Liz Wolff and Greg Chapman. Then they spent 45 minutes in a school bus and rode to the Salmon River Fish Hatchery for lunch followed by a brief lesson in the history of Salmon River fishery. Their tour was completed by an educational meander along the Falls Trail at the Salmon River Falls Unique Area with Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman.

Dune Steward Greg Chapman talks about how the sand dunes buffer the inland wetlands from Lake Ontario's storm energy. Photo by Mary Penney, Steward Coordinator for NY Sea Grant.

A helicopter gets everyone's attention! Photo by Mary Penney, Steward Coordinator for NY Sea Grant.

Dune Steward Liz Wolff talks about some of the interesting critters found in the woodland habitat protected by the sheltering and buffering dunes. Photo by Mary Penney, Steward Coordinator for NY Sea Grant.

The kids (and chaperons alike) loved the tour! They were very attentive and asked FANTASTIC questions. At Black Pond WMA the children were absolutely distraught to see that people had thrown garbage in a place (wetland)that according to the kids "so many plants and animals call home". They soon learned that at Black Pond WMA and other similar areas people are supposed to carry out whatever they carry in. The children had no problem understanding this concept. The children even went a step further and said not to throw all items away, but to recycle them.

Top: The children learn about the types of salmon and trout in Lake Ontario. Bottom: River Steward Emily Freeman describes how the Salmon River Falls were formed. Photos by Mary Penney, Steward Coordinator for NY Sea Grant.

It was great to see young kids being brought up with a positive attitude toward the environment. The kids also had tons of well thought out questions. One little boy asked during the wetland discussion, "isn't this where mosquitoes lay their eggs?" The boy was right, ponds are perfect breeding grounds for insects like mosquitoes.

Although there was a threat of rain on the last day, all of the days were a success! All groups were great, well behaved, and asked a ton of surprisingly good questions. It was great to see so many kids excited to be outdoors. Although this was the first time we had hosted youngsters from Fort Drum, we certainly hope to see them again!

Let's Clean the Beach!
Although Dune and River Steward Coordinator for NY Sea Grant Mary Penney had received numerous e-mails and phones calls from people expressing their interest in a second annual system-wide beach cleanup, there was lack of participation at the actual event. Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards Liz Wolff and Stacy Furgal were stationed at Black Pond WMA with Mary for the day while Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards Greg Chapman and Paul Dawson were at Southwick Beach State Park/Lakeview WMA. The crew of five were able to remove over nine large bags of litter from the eastern shoreline in just two hours. The most common items were unidentifiable pieces of plastic, cigarette butts, and recyclable and returnable cans/bottles (those are worth money!). Many beach-goers were intrigued by our work and would even stop to ask us questions like "why was there so much trash" and "why there aren't trash receptacles"? Much of the trash washes up and on the shoreline from Lake Ontario, but much is also left behind by beach-goers. Although NY Sate Parks does have trash receptacles at their facilities, WMAs, Nature Preserves and Natural Areas are not managed as state parks, which is why beach-goers are reminded to abide by the carry-in, carry-out regulation. Overall, the day was still a GREAT success!

All in a day's work! The crew from Black Pond WMA stands proudly over their collection of trash. Pictured left to right: Mary Penney, Stacy Furgal, and Liz Wolff. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

With all of these great and successful educational opportunities to keep us busy, you can bet our work week flew by! If your group has a need for a tour or program in the resource area, please contact the New York Sea Grant Oswego office at 315.312.3042. We hope to see you soon, on the beach or along the river!

Rain stop recreation? Not here! (8/6/09 - 8/12/09)

2009-08-21T10:06:00.020-04:00

Although there were raindrops in the area, we continue to see more and more recreational users in both the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River corridor areas. We are happy to see more people and encourage people to get outside to see a new area each day!

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards
This week, Dune Steward Liz Wolff observed several people at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) sliding down the dunes. All the people who were sliding down the sand dunes were educated about the negative impacts their activities were having on the area. Traffic, foot or vehicle, on the dunes can cause erosion. Visitors of the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes are reminded to use designated walkways, boardwalks and dune walkovers when visiting the area. It is important for visitors to be observant when you are visiting the area because many areas are posted as restricted areas. Rules and regulations are posted at all area that are open for public access. It is recommended that visitors read the regulations for the area they are using for their own knowledge and the protection of the dune area.

Although bicycles are not permitted on the trail from the parking lot to the beach, peddlers venture from the Seaway Trail to Black Pond WMA to relax along the Lake Ontario shoreline before the next leg of their journey.

Cyclists reading educational panel at Black Pond WMA. Photo by Dune Steward Liz Wolff

At Lakeview WMA this week, Liz encountered an eyed elater. Eyed elater, members of the clock beetle family, have a special hinged joint between their head and thorax. The beetle arches its back, which activates a joint creating a "click" sound, when they are flipped on their back by a predator. The beetle is then propelled several inches into the air and able to land back on its feet. Eyed elaters are common across the United States. If you look and listen closely you may see them at local WMAs, nature preserves or natural areas.

Eyed elater. Photo by Dune Steward Liz Wolff

More people are visiting Lakeview WMA. As for me, Dune Steward Paul Dawson, I continued to see a Bald Eagle at Lakeview WMA just about every day.

Wetlands in Lakeview WMA. Photo by Dune Steward Paul Dawson

Dune Steward Greg Chapman reports that Deer Creek WMA's inner-dunal trail was mowed by NYSDEC on Monday, August 10. Portions of the trail that had been choked out by encroaching plants, including an unsettling amount of poison ivy, are now much more passable. Poison ivy remains in the general area of the trail, however, so visitors should familiarize themselves with this plant and keep an eye out for it. Poison ivy can be recognized by its compound leaves, each containing three leaflets. These leaves give rise to the saying "Leaves of three, leave it be." Many plants also have clusters of small, greenish-white berries at this time of year. All parts of this plant can potentially cause allergic reaction characterized by intense burning and itching sensations and blistering of the skin, often within 24 to 48 hours of exposure to the plant. Although a portion of the population maybe truly immune, a sensitivity to poison ivy can develop overtime. Even if you think poison ivy doesn't affect you, it is still best to avoid this noxious plant. If you suspect contact with poison ivy, immediately washing with soap and lukewarm water may prevent a reaction from developing. Pets and clothing that have come in contact with the oils of poison ivy can cause reaction for some individuals. Poison ivy is bad stuff! It is best to avoid the plant all together. Poison ivy is another reminder for visitors of the dune and river areas to stay on designated trails, walkways, and formal walking structures!

Poison ivy. Photo by Dune Steward Greg Chapman

Dune Steward Stacy Furgal is pleased to report that with the warmer weather people have been staying out of the dunes and in the water. Stacy has been busy installing new signs at Deer Creek WMA near and around the newly constructed dune walkover and fishing platform. She has also recycled snowfence to close the gaps between the dunes and the boardwalk. This was done in order to prevent further traffic into the restricted area.

Salmon River Stewards

Salmon River Steward Jim Katz was at Chateaugay State Forest helping a Youth Conservation Corp crew with trail maintenance. He reports that it's a really cool place for a hike even on a really hot day. The trees provide nice shade, but to watch out for the bugs!

River Steward Emily Freeman spent part of the week at Chateaugay State Forest. One of the days was spent replacing incorrect trail markers with correct ones with Assistant Forest Ranger Caitlin Smilgeski. It will be much easier for hikers to navigate through the State Forest!

Assistant Forest Ranger Smilgeski attaching a trail marker. Photo by River Steward Emily Freeman.

Woodpecker hole with hammer for reference. Photo by River Steward Emily Freeman.

Emily reports that the Salmon River Falls Unique Area continues to be a popular place to visit in the Salmon River corridor. Although ATVs are not permitted on the trails at the Falls, many ATVs parked in the parking lot and walked the trails during a charity drive. The Falls was one of the group's "checkpoints" for the event.

Smallmouth bass continue to be the catch at the Salmon River Reservoir, with multiple anglers reporting they're having great luck catching them. There are some parts of the reservoir that have some thick vegetation, which is perfect protection for the bass to hide and grow in. Even in the rain, you can see people fishing at the free camping areas along the reservoir. If you are planning your next camping trip along the Salmon River Reservoir, remember your fishing tackle!

Little America State Forest Land after rainfall. Photo by River Steward Emily Freeman.

Summer...Is that you...? (7/30/09 - 8/05/09)

2009-08-10T16:27:00.021-04:00

The first week of August brought with it some more summery days, as well as those with severe thunderstorms. We stewards are keeping our fingers crossed for the rest of August to bring us warm days with plenty of sun.

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards

Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
On the more summery days this week, Dune Steward Liz Wolff reports many visitors at Black Pond WMA. Liz counted several hundred visitors this past Saturday. The parking area at Black Pond WMA is reasonably sized, but still fills to capacity on a regular basis. Rather than park in marked "No Parking" zones, visitors are encouraged to explore the other WMAs and State Parks in the area. While Black Pond WMA is one of the area with many recreational opportunities, its main function is a wildlife management area, and overuse can be damaging to the animals, birds, and insects that made it their home first!

For those looking for beaches with similar recreational opportunities, Liz recommends Wescott Beach State Park, Southwick Beach State Park, and Lakeview Wildlife Management Area.

Visitors enjoying Black Pond. Photo by Dune Steward Liz Wolff

Deer Creek WMA
Dune Steward Stacy Furgal met with the land manager of Deer Creek WMA this week. Stacy now has multiple new signs, posts, and snowfence to install. She will also be kept busy pulling Phragmites, or common reed, (an unwanted invasive species). All of these efforts will help keep Deer Creek WMA looking beautiful and also encourage proper use of the cobble beach and back dunes. Like Black Pond WMA, Deer Creek WMA is a free beach that is open to the public. We encourage people to visit there when places like Black Pond WMA are busy and the parking lot is full to capacity.

Sailboat on Eastern Lake Ontario. Photo by Dune Steward Liz Wolff

Lakeview WMA
Dune Steward Liz Wolff a variety of wildlife at Lakeview WMA this past week. Liz reports watching a pair of green herons stalk their prey. Green herons are unique because they are one of the only birds that use bait to catch fish. The bird will drop insects, twigs, or feathers onto water's surface. As a fish rises to investigate, the heron darts its bill into the water and grabs the unsuspecting fish. Liz also saw semipalmated sandpipers foraging for insects along the sandy shores of Lakeview WMA.

Left: Crayfish at Lakeview WMA
Right: Sandpiper at Lakeview WMA
Both photos by Dune Steward Liz Wolff

Saturday seemed to be the nicest of the week, and Dune Steward Paul Dawson reported that visitor usage at Lakeview was especially high with beach users and paddlers. Consequently, there was an especially high amount of garbage left over on Sunday from the busy Saturday. Dune stewards spent a considerable amount of time picking up garbage that was washed up or left behind, and ask that visitors lend a hand and take out what they carry in. Most of the areas along the eastern shore that are open for public use are managed for wildlife use. Litter that is left behind can pose a threat to the wildlife that is in the area, and makes the areas less inviting for future recreational use.

Paddlers at Lakeview WMA. Photo by Dune Steward Paul Dawson

Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area
Dune Steward Greg Chapman replaced some missing string fence posts at Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area. He is happy to report that there simply isn’t much to report, as the locals and visitors of this particular location take it upon themselves to really care about the beach and its appearance. Many beach goers stopped to pick up some trash and wanted to help him with snowfence repairs. He hopes that soon all the Natural Areas and WMA’s will be just as self-sufficient as SPB seems to be!

Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

Salmon River Stewards
Chateaugay State Forest

Left: Chateaugay State Forest after the rain.
Right: One of the many cascades in Chateaugay State Forest.
Both photos by Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman

Chief Steward Greg Chapman and myself, River Steward Emily Freeman went to beautiful Chateaugay State Forest in Orwell, NY to scout the trail for obstructions and wash-outs which were marked with a GPS for a Youth Conservation Corp. They will be doing trail maintenance in the State Forest next week. River Steward Jim Katz assisted the youth conservation group on Monday and reported a significant amount of progress after just one day of work!

While it was a work assignment, Greg and I were reminded of just how pristine and peaceful Chateaugay State Forest is. There are trails that run along a beautiful flowing creek, complete with cascades and all types of river creatures like fish, frogs and crayfish. It seemed like we saw a different wildflower on each trail. The trails of Chateaugay State Forest are not open to ATV’s, but are available for hiking and mountain biking. Once the trails are cleared, I can’t wait to get my bike out and take the trails for a test run.

Left: Spring Peeper. Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.
Right: Mushrooms growing on the forest floor. Photo by Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman.

Salmon River
We had another whitewater release last weekend! The beautiful Saturday weather brought the paddlers out in droves. Many people from the Pulaski area were enticed by whitewater rafting companies that were offering trips down the river all day. It was as easy as showing up, paying, and jumping into a raft to have a blast! Everyone we talked to was thrilled with the conditions and the weather. We heard time and time again how grateful the paddlers are for the water releases. Although the weather on Sunday was not as pleasant, some brave paddlers came out in the torrential rain. They said the rain just makes the rapids more fun! The weather cleared up Sunday evening. After duty I was able to try out some kayaks and play around in the rapids for a bit. People were enjoying the river throughout the week by fishing, swimming, and getting some sun.

Left: Purple Loosestrife by Public Fishing Parking Access Site Altmar North.
Right: Kids enjoying the Salmon River
Both photos by Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman

Salmon River Falls

Salmon River Falls. Photo by Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman.

Wildflowers on the Riverbed Trail. Photo by Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman.

The falls continue to get a steady stream of visitors. River Stewards Jim Katz and Emily Freeman, I, are always surprised to hear the stories of those who live no more than 10 or 20 miles away and didn't know the falls existed! Because the trail is ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliant, it is a beautiful natural resource that almost anyone can enjoy. It is also a very popular spot for motorcyclists to take a leisure ride to. We encourage those who haven’t gotten out there this summer to take a day and see just how beautiful it really is!

Education Galore- Harborfest and More!! (7/23/09 - 7/29/09)

2009-07-31T11:19:00.015-04:00

Harborfest

A new tradition for Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and River Stewards has begun. This year was the very first year the stewards went to Harborfest, and with this year's success we hope to be in attendance in the future. We fine-tuned our wetland demonstration from the Oswego County Fair to help younger children understand what exactly a wetland is, and why they should care about them. A model wetland was constructed using, amongst other things, large sponges and fake vegetation. Children were then asked to pour dirty water over the "wetland" and watch as the wetland seemed to magically filter the water; the dirt was stopped by the sponges and the water that ran through our model wetland was clear. The children were amazed by the result and began to see "those swampy things" (as wetlands are sometimes referred to) as important and relevant to their own lives. For those too young to understand the activity, stewards created a display depicting wetlands wildlife. Both younger and older kids went wild for the wetlands wildlife display! Once the kids recognized an animal, they were eager to share their many animal-related stories (and we were eager to hear them).

Not only were the kids learning, but their were parents too! There was a table set up just brimming with informational literature, covering subjects from the emerald ash borer and the fish disease VHSv to maps of the Salmon River. Over the course of the three days the stewards were in attendance, we talked to hundreds of people and informed a lot of members of the community about many of the local natural resources, including wetlands.

Stacy (pictured above) reviews the wetlands display with a youngster at Harborfest. Photo by Salmon River Steward, Emily Freeman.

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards

Dune Steward Liz Wolff has been continuing her efforts to keep Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in beautiful condition by installing another roll of snow-fencing. The snow-fencing helps to prevent dune erosion by protecting the dunes from damaging foot traffic as well as helps to promote dune growth, by capturing blowing sand. Liz also continued working on her one page summary sheet about woodpecker adaptations. Each season, a steward is charged with the creation of a newspaper article, interactive program, and one page summery sheet about a topic of their choice. These ‘one pagers’, as we call them, are yet another way the stewards educate when we distribute them at events such as Harborfest.

At Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area (SPB), Chief Steward Greg Chapman experienced the first "true summer weekend." The high heat, humidity, and a much calmer Lake Ontario, brought crowds of people looking for relief and relaxation. Although the beach was the busiest it's been this season, Greg is glad to report that there was minimal trash left behind. There were, however, the remains of several fires, one still smoldering in an area where many kids and pets play. Visitors are reminded that fires are prohibited at SPB, as they consume driftwood that is valuable in the dune-building process and leave behind the fire pits themselves, which can be not only unsightly but dangerous. Fires also strip the microscopic organisms and what few nutrients that are found in the sand.

Dune Steward Paul Dawson continued to encounter elaborately made structures on the beaches of Lakeview WMA. He wants to once again remind everyone that those structures are not permitted. They remove and impair driftwood's ability to stabilize the dunes and can be dangerous to humans and wildlife if they collapse. Paul also reported seeing a bald eagle at Lakeview WMA.

A structure found at Lakeview WMA. Photo by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward, Paul Dawson.

River Steward Emily Freeman spent most of her time this week at Deer Creek WMA, covering for me, Dune Steward Stacy Furgal, since I was at Harborfest. Emily reported lower numbers of recreational users, but found the remains of fires to be evident at various locations along the beach.

Salmon River Stewards
Only July 27th, River Stewards Jim Katz and Emily Freeman held a Salmon River Falls tour for twenty kids aged 6-12. They educated them about the historical uses of the Falls, how the Salmon River is used for hydropower, why it is important to protect such a unique area, and what types of animals and plants they could find there. The kids were really into it, they especially loved getting to the riverbed and being able to go on a search for frogs, fish, crayfish, or anything else they could see. They were asking all types of questions (What kind of bug is this? What kind of flower is this? Why is there graffiti?), and seemed to retain a lot of the information, particularly the information about why we need to protect these areas, and what they can do to help. One of the stewards most important jobs is to educate, both children and adults, how to responsibly use the natural resources around them.

That Saturday, River Steward Jim Katz was again at work in the Salmon River Falls Unique Area, and he reported people throwing rocks from the top of the falls into the plunge pool below, as well as people swimming in the plunge pool. These activities are dangerous and are prohibited.

At the Salmon River Reservoir River Steward Jim Katz encountered a family from Baldwinsville, NY enjoying a picnic together. The family decided to take the day to enjoy the Salmon River Reservoir while riding motorcycles in the area. Ospreys, fish hunting birds of prey, were out and very active that day.

Osprey in flight. Photo by Salmon River Steward, Jim Katz.

Exploration, Education & Recreation (7/16/09 - 7/22/09)

2009-07-23T14:16:00.016-04:00

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune & Salmon River Stewards took advantage of this week to present educational programs and explore the natural resource area as well. Exploration of the natural resource area has given us broader experience to draw on for our positions as stewards. It was a lot of fun too!

Special Education Program
Students from the summer Bridge Program at Jefferson Community College (JCC) joined the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune & Salmon River Stewards for a day of learning at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Thursday, July 16. After breaking up into small groups, students traveled to five different steward-led stations. Dune Steward Stacy Furgal thought that the students who visited her station on aquatic invasives and fish diseases had a good time visualizing a sea lamprey and saw first-hand the effect zebra and quagga muscles have had on the shoreline. Other topics stewards covered included: dune plants, the importance of wetlands, wildlife and proper recreational use of the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands Area. The students seemed to enjoy their day in the "outdoor classroom."

Top: River Steward Jim Katz talks about wildlife of the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands to the JCC Bridge Program participants. Bottom: Chief Steward Greg Chapman points out some of the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune plants and their role in dune succession.
Photos by NY Sea Grant Steward Program Coordinator Mary Penney.

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards
The following day, Dune Steward Liz Wolff held her program "Woodpeckers: The Ultimate Drilling Machines" at Black Pond WMA as well. She had 14 participants, many of whom were birders. Her talk focused of the special adaptations woodpeckers have, which allow them to be the successful "forest carpenters" that they are. The program was a success and people had lots of interesting questions about woodpecker behaviors. After the presentation, Liz took a handful of participants on an extended tour, showing them the rest of the site. Unfortunately, they didn't see any woodpeckers during the tour. The best time for birding is in the early morning hours when it's cooler and there is less of a human presence.

Dune Steward Liz Wolff points out a picture of a yellow-bellied sapsucker to program participants.
Photo by NY Sea Grant Steward Program Coordinator Mary Penney.

Dune Steward Paul Dawson will be holding an educational program at Black Pond WMA on August 17th about the importance of dune plants and their role in dune succession. His program will feature a nature walk where participants will learn to identify some of the dune's trees and shrubs and learn the role these interesting plants play in making the dune area so environmentally unique. Look for his article in upcoming editions of the Lure of the Lake and Oswego County Weeklies!

Elsewhere on the dunes, Dune Steward Stacy Furgal has noticed that Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area is looking better and better each day, thanks to the efforts of both stewards and beach goers alike! It is not uncommon to see people bringing their own trash bags to fill with beach litter. Stacy also noticed that the blissfully sunny weekend found many people enjoying the lake's cool waters, and in the case of one child it was the perfect weekend to create a work of sand art. A small boy from Pennsylvania led his family in the construction of a 'sand mansion' as he deemed it. It was just great to see a family outdoors together, enjoying the day and the company.

As for myself, Dune Steward Greg Chapman, I had an opportunity to see a different side of Deer Creek WMA while taking a canoe trip through the protected wetlands behind the dunes. Experiencing the wetlands up close and talking with other canoers and kayakers allowed me to really see why so many spend the day exploring this diverse habitat. A variety of birds, including flycatchers and a great blue heron, were seen along the trip as well as plants such as pickerelweed, white water buttercup and of course the abundance of cattails, creating a perfect home for muskrats and a variety of fish.

View of the backdunes at Deer Creek WMA from the creek itself.
Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman.

Salmon River Stewards
In the Salmon River corridor, Salmon River Stewards Emily Freeman and Jim Katz spent part of the weekend at Chateaugay State Forest. There, they marked some trails and areas in need of maintenance in preparation for a group that will be doing the work later this summer. The trails are beautiful and very well marked; it's a shame more people don't use it! One of the trails runs parallel to a beautiful stream with some small cascades that are stunning.

River Steward Emily also took some time away from work to experience the resource area from a recreational perspective this past weekend. On Saturday she had the opportunity to join a whitewater group during the whitewater release. Hundreds of paddlers in kayaks, rafts, and canoes came out for the 750 cubic feet per second (CFS) release and the weather couldn't have been better.

Red Eft along the Salmon River.
Photo by River Steward Jim Katz.

Emily says that it was amazing to see the river from a boat perspective, and it gave her a deeper appreciation for the natural resource. She also spent the night at one of the beautiful, but primitive campsites at the Culvert. There was no one else there and it provided a peaceful evening with plenty of opportunity to see some wildlife and enjoy the Salmon River Reservoir. The campsites on the Culvert always seem to be available, and it's a nice place to get away for some much needed peace and quiet.

An evening camping at the Salmon River Reservoir.
Photo by Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman.

Both River Stewards also spent time checking in on the campsites, day use areas and boat launches on the Salmon River Reservoir. There was a group of 11 from Pennsylvania who camp for one week every year along the reservoir. There were also some anglers who were catching smallmouth bass, and a few day-users at Redfield Island swimming and enjoying the sun. The reservoir is a great place to camp, fish and simply spend a day.

We are glad to see people enjoying these beautiful resources and remembering to use them in a safe and an ecologically responsible way. For those of you that would like more information about some of the other areas we patrol, please ask us when you see us!

A Change of Scenery (7/10/09 - 7/15/09)

2009-07-18T23:14:00.021-04:00

If you took a trip to your favorite dune site this past week you may have been surprised to see an unfamiliar steward monitoring the area. After several weeks of getting acquainted with our primary sites we've now begun swapping resource areas to broaden our experiences and get a taste of new scenery!

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards Stacy Furgal and Greg Chapman will be alternating between Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area. In Stacy's first few days at Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area, she was pleasantly surprised by the amount of regular visitors acting as informal stewards. With large amounts of litter washing up, many people have been contributing to the clean up effort by picking up, not only their own trash, but litter along the shore as well. Stacy was thrilled to see so many recreational users going above and beyond to take care of the resource area.

For Chief Steward Greg Chapman, who is accustomed to the sand beach and high visitor usage at Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area, the relatively quiet cobble beach at Deer Creek was a nice change of pace. Greg used the lull in visitors to do some much needed snow fencing repairs.

Boardwalk at El Dorado Nature Preserve. Photo by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Paul Dawson.

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards Paul Dawson and I, Liz Wolff, will each be monitoring El Dorado Nature Preserve/Black Pond and Lakeview WMAs for the remainder of the season. During Paul's first day at Black Pond WMA, he was happy to make conversation with many visitors who wanted to know about his duties as a steward. Paul did not have many violations to report from his first day at Black Pond WMA, but he did make note of several people trying to picnic and swim in the bird sanctuary of El Dorado Nature Preserve. From May until the end of September the bird sanctuary and rocky beach of El Dorado Nature Preserve are closed to human use because shorebirds utilize this vital area to feed and rest before their long migration south. Each time visitors disturb the shorebirds they will fly away, slowly depleting the energy reserves necessary for migration. However, visitors are welcome to enter from El Dorado, and then use the string path away from the shoreline to access Black Pond WMA for recreational use. Please note that pets are prohibited from the bird sanctuary and the rest of El Dorado Nature Preserve.

Kiteboarders at Lakeview Wildlife Management Area. Photos by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Paul Dawson.

The weather on Friday (7/10/09) was ideal for boaters. Temperatures in the mid 80s and the calm surf of Lake Ontario invited users from all over to spend a day along the shores of Lakeview Wildlife Management Area. For many boaters, Friday was the first day this summer that lake conditions allowed access to the site. I was excited to meet many people at Lakeview who have been accessing the site for 20 years or more. Beach goers were friendly and curious about organizing a cleanup for Lakeview's southern section which is only reachable by boat. Although a system-wide cleanup is not certain yet, keep an on this blog in case one is announced in the coming weeks!

Salmon River Stewards

Falls along the Salmon River. Photos by Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman.

Salmon River Stewards Jim Katz and Emily Freeman both spent time at the Salmon River Falls Unique Area last week. Jim talked to a couple from Auburn, NY who has been visiting the falls for about 20 years. Emily has been encountering large groups of visitors and is glad to report a tremendous increase in responsible and respectful use of the area.

On the Salmon River in Altmar, Jim saw a lot of Skamania steelhead moving up the river from Lake Ontario. Skamania steelhead are summer-run steelhead that provide sport fishing opportunities for anglers not wanting to venture out during the busy fall Pacific salmon season or the colder winter months for winter-run Washington strain steelhead. He talked to multiple anglers that same day who have spotted steelhead in other areas of the Salmon River as well. Adult Atlantic salmon are also in the Salmon River as well this time of year as well. Atlantic salmon are not found in the numbers as the Pacific salmon during the fall months, but still exciting for those lucky anglers that find them during their fishing trip!

Salmon River Stewards Emily and Jim would also like to encourage people to check out the camping sites at the Culvert which are beautiful, and best of all, free!

Program on Aquatic Nuisance Invasive Species with Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman (left). Photo by New York Sea Grant Dune/Salmon River Steward Coordinator Mary Penney.

The Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards are still in the process of presenting their public education programs. On Saturday (7/11/09) Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman presented a program on Aquatic Nuisance Invasive Species and the Nuisance Invasive Species Disposal Stations that are installed at State boat launches along the Salmon River Reservoir. Emily explained that the purpose of the stations is to allow boaters, anglers, and other recreationalists to dispose of nuisance invasive species safely without spreading them to other water bodies. She also gave a brief history and description of some local aquatic nuisance invasive species, helping attendees to recognize species that should be disposed of in these stations. Although the weather was threatening thunderstorms on Saturday, a few brave souls still attended Emily's program and learned some valuable information!

A recreationalist placing aquatic vegetation in a Nuisance Invasive Species Disposal Station at County Route 17 in Redfield, NY. Photo by Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman.

There are still two educational programs remaining in the steward series! Keep checking the blog for more details about dates and locations!

Fourth of July Weekend! (7/02/09 - 7/08/09)

2009-07-09T13:08:00.014-04:00

Despite the weather this past Fourth of July weekend, people continued to use the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands Area as well as the Salmon River corridor. The Fourth provided many people who don't normally use the natural resource area with a reason to go out and enjoy mother nature's raw beauty.

Canada Lily (Black Pond)

Photo by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Liz Wolff

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Liz Wolff spent the weekend at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA)/ El Dorado Nature Preserve. There was an increase in non-local visitors and many of them were interested in the resource area and learning about what we stewards do. Liz met a couple from Arizona who visited Black Pond WMA twice during their vacation, stopping both times to help pick up litter as they walked the beach. The strong winds were causing all sorts of debris to wash onto the beach from the lake. The strong waves also attracted kayakers and swimmers to Black Pond WMA as well. The waves were washing all the way up to the snowfencing installed by Liz and previous stewards. Snowfencing is used to stabilize the dunes. Although the water level seems high, it has gone down some from June.

Kayakers taking advantage of the waves on July 4th

Photo by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Liz Wolff.

Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes Steward Greg Chapman was patrolling Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area as the unsettled weather continued from heavy winds on Friday to even stronger winds on the July 4th. Although the sustained winds and the accompanying high waves may not have been ideal for a July 4th at the beach, they did provide a great demonstration of the sheltering ability of the dunes. Though the constant waves battered the lakeside of Sandy Pond Beach relentlessly, North Sandy Pond itself was protected by the dunes and was quite smooth. Waves and winds that could have been quite damaging to pond-side homes and camps were effectively dissipated - Sand dunes at Deer Creek Marsh WMA, Lakeview and Black Pond WMA, and El Dorado Nature Preserve provide similar benefit for the important wetlands that lie behind them.

Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes Steward Paul Dawson spent his holiday weekend at Lakeview WMA where attendance was surprising slow until Sunday - which turned out to be the busiest day at Lakeview WMA this summer. Paul found two groups of campers along his stretch of beach. As a reminder, camping is not allowed at Deer Creek Marsh WMA, Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area, Lakeview and Black Pond WMA, and El Dorado Nature Preserve. Tents and foot traffic kill vegetation, which plays a key role in dune stabilization. It is important to know and understand the regulations for the resource areas. Public use of State Wildlife Management Areas regulations can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/4004.html and regulations for the public use of Lakeview Wildlife Management Area designates as natural beach can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/3978.html

Boaters, kayakers and canoers enjoying Lakeview WMA.

Photo by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Paul Dawson.

Salmon River Stewards
This holiday weekend was one of the many pre-determined whitewater releases on the Salmon River. These releases raise the flow of the Salmon River so that kayakers, canoers and rafters can enjoy the resource. The flow was raised to 750 cubic feet/second (cfs). Salmon River Stewards Jim Katz and Emily Freeman talked to people throughout the weekend who had ventured from all across the state and even out of state just to take on the rapids of the Salmon River. Emily talked to a gentleman who hailed from Letchworth State Park who said that he liked the Salmon River because it's interesting enough for experienced kayakers, but a perfect river for beginners to learn on as well.

Kayaks and rafts enjoying the Salmon River.

Photos by, Mary Penney, New York Sea Grant

Oswego County Fair

Stewards Greg Chapman, Jim Katz and Stacy Furgal each spent a day at the Oswego County Fair (County Tourism Building). There, they encouraged fair-goers to take a day to enjoy the local resource areas, which we are fortunate to have so close. They also conducted a children's wetland activity used to express the function and importance of wetlands via an interactive replication. The kids poured dirty water (representing water with pollutants and sediment in it) over sponges (wetland vegetation) in an aluminum pan. After the water passed through the sponges it came out cleaner than before it was poured because the vegetation absorbed it, acting as a filter. Our time at the fair was worth while, and we look forward to seeing you all at the fair again next year!

Check out our educational programs under "Upcoming Events" to the right!

Summer is here!! (6/25/09 - 7/1/09)

2009-07-02T13:24:00.024-04:00

Summer is here! With the increase in temperature over the last week recreational users have started to come out in full force to all locations along eastern Lake Ontario and the Salmon River corridor. Summer temperatures bring the threat of thunder storms and rain showers. We want to remind everyone to keep an eye on the weather. Storms can move off the lake quickly.

This week Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Stacy Furgal lead a wetlands wildlife walk at Lakeview Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Stacy reports that although it was a hot day on the walk they did get a chance to spot an oriole, a great blue heron, longnose gar, sunfish, remnants of a turtle nest, and signs that were left behind by a beaver. This is first of a series of free educational programs being run this summer by the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards.

Snapping turtles can often be seen in wetlands along the eastern shore of Lake Ontario and other local bodies of water. Photo by Salmon River Steward Emily Freedman.

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Greg Chapman reports that attendance at Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area (SPB) continued to increase as we approach the Fourth of July weekend. Although the weather around eastern Lake Ontario looked to be unstable, the sunshine held for the most part at SPB and afforded us with some excellent views of nearby thunderheads.

Gulls at Sandy Pond Beach by Chief Steward Greg Chapman

Although beach goers prefer no footwear at SPB and at other beaches, there are a number of items that should be watched out for, such as broken glass or fishing lures that occasionally wash onto the shore. This week also saw an increase in the number of water chestnut seeds, or nutlets, found along the beach. These black seeds have a number of sharp points and can definitely hurt an unprotected foot. Water chestnut is an invasive aquatic plant found in some area ponds, lakes and slow-moving streams. Thankfully, once the seeds are black and begin to float, they are biologically dead and can be removed and disposed of without worrying about spreading this invasive plant.

Photos of Water chestnut by Chief Steward Greg Chapman

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Liz Wolff reports Black Pond WMA/ El Dorado Natural Area has also seen an increase in usage over the last week. As a result, there has been a lot of litter in the area. Many visitors ask why there are not trash receptacles provided. This is because Black Pond WMA and all other WMA's, nature preserves, and natural areas are free facilities and not State Parks (which include trash removal services in park entry fees). Although there are not trash receptacles in these more primitive locations, they all have carry-in, carry-out policies. Visitors can do their part to be good stewards of these areas; help to keep them in their natural state so they may be enjoyed for years to come.

Lakeview WMA has also seen the same increase in visitors as the other sites. Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Paul Dawson reports that Sunday was the busiest day at Lakeview so far this summer. With the increase in users Paul has seen more structures (temporary creations of piled drift wood and other debris), and wants to remind everyone that they are not permitted. The reason for this is they move the driftwood which is a very important dune stabilizer. Structures can also be dangerous if they collapse.

Structure found at Lakeview; by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Paul Dawson .

Lakeview WMA; by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Paul Dawson

Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman also reports an increase in visitor use. Over the weekend, one of the camping areas on the Salmon River Reservoir called Little America (CCC Rd) was full. Visitors brought canoes, kayaks, rowboats and even caught some bass for dinner. Emily wants to remind visitors that there are other places to camp on the Salmon River Reservoir such as the Culvert, which has six campsites and dikes. Both of these areas have had low use this year. If anyone is curious about where there are campsites just look for the River Stewards who will be happy to help and have maps available. Campers are reminded to burn ONLY local firewood since the Emerald ash borer (invasive forest pest) has been found in NYS that can easily be spread through firewood (for more on this invasive, click over to New York Sea Grant's Web Site).

View from Culvert on the Salmon River Reservoir Photo by Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman

With the nice weather over the weekend people covered the shore of Redfield Island where they were swimming, barbecuing and simply enjoying a day of sun. Salmon River Steward Jim Katz wants to remind everyone of the importance of carry-in, carry-out so that everyone can enjoy the area. He also talked to a group of men from Rome, NY who had just finished an impromptu smallmouth bass fishing "competition." They reported catching a lot of smallmouth however all were small in size. They released all of their captured fish. Size and limit regulations often change with water body, so please be sure to check local regulations before starting your fishing trip.

All stewards have continued working hard on their educational programs, check our upcoming events for dates!

Kayaks and Fishing and Whitewater, oh my! (6/18/09 - 6/24/09)

2009-06-24T14:11:00.031-04:00

Although our week began wet and cold, summer started and with it the weather appears to be changing. Summer began on June 21st, and the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Salmon River Stewards were happy to see it bring good weather and an increase in visitors to the natural resource areas around Lake Ontario and the Salmon River corridor. The Salmon River and Lake Ontario shore are starting to come alive as more events are being scheduled in the area. The work week seemed to fly by. Here are some of the things we found ourselves busy with:

Salmon River Steward Jim Katz spent his Saturday at a fishing event at the Pineville public fishing access. The event, called Spey Nation, allowed anglers to congregate and demo new equipment while discussing different techniques. Spey fishing is similar to fly fishing, except there is a longer fishing rod, and it requires less effort and allows for a much longer cast. All who attended were excited to learn new techniques and try different rods and reels.

Photo of angler on Salmon River by Salmon River Steward Jim Katz

Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman also spent Saturday along the Salmon River, but her time was devoted to the scheduled 400 CFS whitewater release. Time was spent getting to know the kayakers and tubers, conducting whitewater surveys. About 40 kayakers, tubers and canoers turned out for the release. Some whitewater enthusiasts were local, while others from South Buffalo. Most were part of a paddlers group called FLOW (Finger Lakes Ontario Watershed), who had carpooled to the Salmon River. They also arranged to shuttle each other, launching at Compactor Pool on County Route 2A, and taking out at Black Hole on Riverview. All paddlers were extremely happy with the conditions and are eagerly anticipating the next release of 750 CFS that will occur on 7/4-7/5.

Visitors enjoying the whitewater release on 6/20.

Photos by Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman.

The stewards spent the rest of the week picking up litter, performing maintenance on river edge trails, and conversing with anglers from as far away as New Jersey. 5,000 brown trout were stocked this week. In addition to catching smaller trout, anglers reported landing some Skamania (summer run) steelhead and Atlantic salmon. Don't forget that while the Salmon River is famous for its' autumn Pacific salmon run, there is still plenty of good fishing to be found in the summer!

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards

Deer Creek WMA has yet to see it's summer rush, but with school letting out for the summer, that should be soon. Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Stacy Furgal reports that trash continues to accumulate. Visitors are encouraged to lend a hand and utilize the area's Carry-In, Carry-Out program. There has been an increase in the construction of fires which is prohibited in the area. Not only does it make the area unsightly, it can disrupt the fragile dune ecosystem and wildlife living there. A Wildlife Management Area is designed to be a haven for them, let's try to keep it that way!

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Greg Chapman was busy this week installing string fence to protect the dunes while preserving the view for visitors. Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area saw an increase over the weekend in visitors, mostly sunbathers and picnickers. Some chose the more adventurous route and tried their hand at windboarding!

Windboarding on Eastern Lake Ontario.
Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman

Lakeview WMA has been quiet the last week. Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Paul Dawson has continued to clean up the beach, as Lake Ontario has a habit of washing large amounts of garbage onto shore. There were also some dogs off leashes, which can trample fragile dune vegetation and disturb local wildlife.

Great news! Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Liz Wolff reports that the channel in El Dorado Nature Preserve has finally closed for the summer. Visitors can now enter El Dorado without getting soaked! Many families came out to Black Pond WMA on Father's Day. Everyone was enjoying the resource and using it respectfully.

Unfortunately, on other days at Black Pond WMA, Liz has seen people fishing in the bird sanctuary area. This area is prohibited to human and domesticated animal use as it disrupts the feeding and nesting time of shorebirds. Liz instead encourages anglers to use the fishing platform that overlooks Black Pond.

Enjoying Fathers Day at Black Pond WMA.
Photo by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Liz Wolff.

Restoring Sites and Making Connection (6/11/09 - 6/17/09)

2009-06-18T00:10:00.019-04:00

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards
Lightly clouded skies and delightfully warm weather marked another invigorating work week for us. Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) saw a makeover this week as we went about installing hundreds of feet of new snow fencing, to replace haggard or missing sections that were knocked down over the winter or burned. Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Liz Wolff, who was overseeing the operation, focused the installation efforts on those areas where ‘dune blowouts’ appear to be occurring or are likely to occur. A dune blowout is a dune area where vegetation has disappeared. Wind forces sand out, often into the inland wetlands, causing a u-shaped depression. This is undesirable for many reasons including:

Displaced sand can move into wetland areas (filling them in).
The sand comprising the dunes is a finite resource once lost, it is lost from the dunes.

The Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes act as a buffer for the inland wetlands, agricultural lands, forests, etc. protecting inland areas from the storm energy of Lake Ontario.

Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area also saw some improvements as Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Greg Chapman put up three signs. The signs explain the sheltering effects of the dunes, thanks the Friends of Sandy Pond Beach for their involvement in protecting the natural resource, and indicate that boaters and people are to avoid being in the bird sanctuary. All three signs were installed south of the North Sandy Pond channel.

Signs installed along the dune walkover at sandy Pond Beach Natural Area
Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward Paul Dawson reports a few campfires at Lakeview WMA, which seems to be a reoccurring violation in that area. Paul has been spending most of his time this week developing his media project, which include a newspaper article, public education program, and impact summary sheet. Be sure to check back to learn more about all of our media projects!

Deer Creek WMA saw a moderate amount of usage this week, with even more usage expected in the coming season. Flagging tape has been attached onto all of the string fencing to clearly mark the trail for users. Quite a bit of trash has been found in the parking lot almost daily, which is a bit discouraging. As the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward for this site (Stacy Furgal), it is my hope that if anyone sees this happening they will use their own stewardship abilities and speak up about the importance of carry in, carry out policies.

Salmon River Stewards
The Salmon River Reservoir was a busy place on Saturday, with 25+ boat trailers combined between the new boat launch on Redfield Road and Jackson Road boat launch sites. There were not too many folks on foot, but people were certainly out enjoying the water! Salmon River Steward Emily Freeman ran into a small group of boy scouts who told her they were happy to be able to practice their canoe skills and that they felt lucky to live near an area that was so rich in natural beauty.

The Salmon River Falls Unique Area saw a steady flow of users throughout the weekend. Although the plunge pool at the base of the falls may call would be swimmers, Salmon River Stewards want to remind future visitors that falling rocks from the gorge walls and debris in the water make the area restricted. Swimmers are encouraged to find refuge from the heat of summer at permitted swimming areas of Lake Ontario, ponds, Salmon River Reservoir, and swimming pools. The short drive to permitted swimming areas certainly outweighs the danger of the falling rocks and currents of the plunge pool at the Salmon River Falls Unique Area!

Great Lakes Sea Grant Network Conference
Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards also had the great opportunity to discover the larger goals of the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network as we attended the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network Conference held in Alexandria Bay, NY. We were able to meet many in the extended Sea Grant family from throughout the Great Lakes region and learn about some of their projects and goals.

The weather was perfect for a boat tour of the St. Lawrence River that launched from Alexandria Bay. During the boat tour we took in the beautiful scenery while learning about some of the ecological issues that have been of interest there and elsewhere in recent years, including Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia and the introduction of zebra mussels and other invasive species into the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes. Dr. John Farrell, SUNY College of Enviornemental Science and Forestry and Thousand Islands Biological Station, and Jennifer Caddick, Save The River, provided valuable information about these topics and more as they jumped in on the microphone becoming tour-boat guides. It was a real treat, and appreciated!

(Top two pictures) Scenics during the boat tour on Alexandria Bay, 1000 Islands region of the St. Lawrence River
(bottom picture) NYSG's Dave White charts the course for the boat tour for the dune and river stewards.
Photos by Paul C. Focazio, NYSG

We attented the award ceremony/dinner where we learned about some of the accomplishements of the Great Lakes Network and some of those that are retiring (including NYSG's former Associate Director, Dale Baker). The last day of the conference we sat in on the session about new technologies. It was interesting to hear what and how various states are using technology. The Great Lakes Network showed interest in hearing about the traffic this blog generates.

The conference was an incredible occasion that we are grateful to have had a chance to enjoy. Thanks to everyone at New York Sea Grant and the rest of the Great Lakes Network for making it possible!

Dune Fest '09 a Success! (6/04/09 - 6/10/09)

2009-06-11T16:45:00.039-04:00

Dune Fest
With summer vacation around the corner, a large group of seventh and eighth graders came to Southwick State Park to take part in this year’s Dune Fest activities on June 10th. Once again, the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards were there with others (NY Sea Grant, NYSDEC, NYS Parks, and others) to meet them.

Dune Fest is an annual event that brings out seventh (Belleville-Henderson) and eighth (Sandy Creek) graders to interactively discover components of the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes and Wetlands Areas. This year, we had a chance to develop a hands-on program about the formation of the Great Lakes/Lake Ontario and the Eastern Lake Ontario sand dunes themselves. We developed a skit, with the help of Chris Lajewski of The Nature Conservancy, which featured the kids vibrantly re-enacting thousands of years of dramatic land-shaping action in just under 20 minutes.What better way for the students to learn how Lake Ontario and the dunes were formed then for them to actually “become” the glaciers/water, rocks/sands, wind and vegetation that made it all happen.

Dressed for the part, students linked arms to become the glaciers that dug out the Lake Iroquois and the Great Lakes, and “crushed” those students playing the part of the rocks. Rocks unlinked arms and flipped their costumes from gray to beige to illustrate the transformation into sand. Similarly, the glaciers unlinked their arms and flipped costumes from white to blue, as the temperatures rose and the ice melted into water. This “water” then filled the basin, becoming Lake Ontario’s much larger predecessor: Lake Iroquois. The fastest students played the role of wind, who ran with their streamers (props). Wind pushed the water and sand to the east, toward the present eastern shore of Lake Ontario. There, the sand was pushed further inland by the wind, only to be trapped by grasses and other vegetation, here played by sure-footed students in grass skirts. We followed the skit with a question and answer session to ask each group what their part was in the skit (ex: What happened to glaciers/water, What groups did they affect, and how?, What groups affected them, and how?)

The students enjoyed themselves and walked away from the skit with a greater knowledge and appreciation for the dunes - all while having a good time!

Ours was just one of many interactive stations set up for the students that day. Elsewhere, the kids learned about dune ecology, boating and water safety, fish, reptiles and amphibians, birds, wetlands and took a walk in the woods. Presenters were from New York Sea Grant, United States Coast Guard, the Nature Conservancy, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and others. We couldn’t have asked for better weather for the event, and a great time was had by both students and presenters alike.

The stewards with Dune Fest props. (Top Left) Liz Wolff as the blowing wind, Greg Chapman as strong, gray rock, Emily Freeman as cold, white glacier, Paul Dawson as growing vegetation,
(bottom left): Stacy Furgal as melting and "wavy" water, Jim Katz as blowing sand and growing dune.
Photo by, Paul Focazio, New York Sea Grant

Salmon River Stewards
When we aren’t busy preparing students for their acting debut, we prepare monitoring sites for the official start of summer, now just a few weeks away. River Stewards Emily and Jim have been busy digging out fire pits and fixing up some of the designated campsites along the Salmon River Reservoir. These campites are rustic, primitive and free! Campers will be pleased to see theses sites in tip-top shape and ready for use.

As the weather improves, people are starting to come from all over to enjoy our area’s recreational opportunities. River Steward Emily Freeman reported a group of kayakers from Lake George, Pulaski and Syracuse at Little America were enjoying a beautiful Saturday on the Reservoir. Other folks could be found grilling and having a family get-together at some of the Reservoir’s popular day-use areas, and some brought their boats to try their luck at fishing

Salmon River Reservoir
Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman

Male swallowtail butterfly at the Salmon River Reservoir
Photo by River Steward Emily Freeman

The Salmon River Falls Unique Area was a popular destination this weekend. Stewards met locals who regularly come to enjoy the scenery, as well as visitors from Rome and Syracuse making their first trip to the Falls. While enjoying the view at the Falls, please keep in mind that there are some regulations in place for your safety and the safety of other visitors. Particularly, look for signs marking a 15 foot restricted area not only at the edge of the Falls, but along the entire gorge as well. Also, possession or consumption of alcohol is prohibited at the Salmon River Falls Unique Area – you don’t want to be feeling tipsy when you’re near the top of the falls or the gorge walls. Please read the signs posted near the entrance for additional regulations.

Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Stewards
Preparations for summer continue at the dunes as well. Dune Steward Liz Wolff continues to fix up the path bypassing the bird sanctuary at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area/El Dorado Nature Preserve. The eastern Lake Ontario shoreline provides important natural habitat for shorebirds that may call it home or are just stopping by on their way to more distant shores. Signs and string fencing have been installed to show the way around, and Liz is busy transplanting beachgrass growing in the path to areas where it is more needed. Liz also reports that carp can be seen spawning at Black Pond, especially at the mouth of the channel.

Although dune-building beachgrass is protected and sometimes purposely planted at the dunes, one plant – the non-native common reed grass, Phragmites (pronounced frag-mite-ees) – is an unwelcome resident. Phragmites removal began this week at Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area, with the northernmost walkover cleared of these unwanted plants. This plant can potentially crowd out other, dune-specific species. One impressive feature of this plant is its massive root system – one tiny stem can lead to many feet of thick rootstock, which is nearly impossible to remove entirely.

An example of a large Phragmites root, with water bottle for scale
Photo by Chief Steward Greg Chapman

Hot weekend days are bringing more and more visitors to the dunes. Dune Steward Paul Dawson reports breaking down some rather extraordinary structures built by some visitors to the area. Although they are impressive, the structures are removed to preserve the beach’s natural character, return the driftwood to the dune environment, and to avoid tempting anyone who may seek to set such a gathering of driftwood ablaze. Paul notes that many visitors are impressed with how clean the beaches are this year, and that some visitors are in the habit of bringing a bag to pick up whatever trash is handy during their visit. The help is certainly appreciated!

A structure at Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area.
Photo by Mary Penney, New York Sea Grant

Of course, the quiet won’t last forever with summer fast approaching. Dune and River Stewards are here not only to help maintain the area, but also to answer questions or point out some of the less-noticed unique features of our area. If you see us, come by and say hi!

In the Meantime: Waiting for “Summer” to Arrive (5/28/09 – 6/3/09)

2009-06-05T15:12:00.023-04:00

The cool, windy weather last week left only the brave to venture out to local Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), Natural Areas, Nature Preserves, public fishing access sites and State Forests/Unique Areas.

We, the Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards, took advantage of these quiet days by working on some beginning-of-the-year maintenance projects. On the dunes each year, we install new snow-fencing at areas providing public access along the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes in an effort to stabilize the dunes and discourage foot traffic. Some of our time was spent measuring to replace damaged fencing and for areas where new fencing is necessary. We also replaced missing or damaged signs at sites to prepare for the busy season ahead.

Quiet days are a great time to observe a variety of wildlife as well. From the walkover at Black Pond WMA, I counted six bird nests of varying sizes and shapes, among them, nests of the Baltimore oriole, yellow warbler (image above, top), and gray catbird (image above, bottom). Bird nests were identified with the help of local birders. Water birds at Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area and Black Pond WMA (image below) feasted on small fish and other small organisms that have washed ashore. Painted turtles at Black Pond WMA and water snakes on the Salmon River relished what warmth they could while sunbathing on dead logs. The best way to observe birds and other wildlife at any of these sites is to walk quietly and speak in hushed voices. Many animals are easily scared away by noise!

Photos above by Eastern Lake Ontario Dune Steward, Liz Wolff.

Along the Salmon River corridor, river stewards reported meeting anglers and unscheduled groups during outings. On the river, anglers have been catching the freshly-stocked landlocked Atlantic salmon and steelhead. They are small, but are still fun to catch. At the Salmon River Falls Unique Area, stewards are seeing a noticeable number of groups from the Syracuse area enjoying the easing walking trails and learning about the area. People have begun camping at the designated campsites on the Salmon River Reservoir. One group of campers had good luck with rock bass during their stay.
Salmon River Falls photo by Salmon River Steward (2008), Luke Connor

Along with spending time at our individual sites, we attended the June meeting of The Ontario Dune Coalition (TODC). The meeting was a fantastic opportunity to see a diverse group of organizations, including NY Sea Grant, The Nature Conservancy, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Friends of Sandy Pond, and NYS Parks and Recreation working on projects to educate and inform the public about Eastern Lake Ontario’s unique resources.

As part of our effort to educate, we create an annual media project including a newspaper article, interpretive community outreach program, and project impact summary sheet. The research for this season’s articles is well underway! In addition to the media projects, we will be leading an interactive activity about Lake Ontario and Dune Formation at this year’s Dune Fest (June 10th at Southwick Beach State Park). Local 7th (Belleville/Henderson) and 8th (Sandy Creek) grade students will spend the day rotating through fun and informational stations about the dunes, wetlands and water safety, among others. Keep an eye out for an update about Dune Fest and our media project progress in the coming weeks!

Jumping in with Both Feet! (week of 5/20/09-5/27/09)

2009-05-27T16:35:00.010-04:00

After a day of orientation the stewards enthusiastically toured their monitoring sites. Then they each jumped in with both feet, and were on their own in the natural resource area. They made some great observations while monitoring, and met some great recreational users. Along the Salmon River corridor a steward reported a bald eagle sighting on two separate days. Salmon River stewards assisted the Salmon River Special Program Coordinator for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation with streambank stabilization by planting approximately 900 stream willows.

Along the Eastern Lake Ontario Dunes & Wetlands Area recreational users were happy to meet and greet their stewards. It's becoming a tradition in some areas. As temperatures continue to climb and you seek the refreashing breeze along Lake Ontario or the Salmon River Reservoir, you are encourgaed to introduce yourself to your local steward; learn more about what it is that the stewards do, and what you too can do to be an informal steward of the natural resource areas that are important to you!

Salmon River Stewards Emily Freeman and Jim Katz plant stream willows that will provide streambank stabilization along the Salmon River.

Photos by Mary Penney, NYSG Dune/River Steward Coordinator.

2009 Steward Crew; They're Back!

2009-05-18T16:48:00.009-04:00

They’re back! The Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Stewards will be in the resource areas starting Thursday May 21, 2009.

The Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Steward Program has hired six college students for the 2009 season. New York Sea Grant coordinates the program in cooperation with the New York State Departmental Conservation, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and the Nature Conservancy. The 2009 stewards were hired from a pool of nearly 50 student applicants from across the country.

The 2009 Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Steward Crew (L to R): Paul Dawson, Liz Wolff, Stacy Furgal, Emily Freeman, Greg Chapman, and Jim Katz. Photo by Paul Focazio, New York Sea Grant.

Greg Chapman of East Concord, NY, is returning as Chief Steward. Look for Greg at Sandy Pond Beach Natural Area. Greg is a sophomore at SUNY college of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), where he will major in conservation biology. Greg enjoys hiking and photography.

Stacy Furgal will be a junior at SUNY ESF majoring in fisheries and aquatic science in the fall. She returns this season as the Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area (WMA) steward. Stacy is an Oswego County native from Williamstown and an avid outdoorswoman.

Paul Dawson, an Oswego County native from Mexico, will be a senior at SUNY ESF where he studies natural resource management. Paul enjoys flyfishing, backpacking, and canoeing. Paul plays rugby for Syracuse University when he's not on duty as the Lakeview WMA steward.

Elizabeth Wolff returns in 2009 to Black Pond WMA/El Dorado Nature Preserve. She is graduating with a degree in professional writing from SUNY Cortland, where she competed as a cross-country runner. Although Liz hails from Syracuse, she spends her summers along Eastern Lake Ontario in Ellisburg in Jefferson County.

Jim Katz, a senior at SUNY Cortland studying biology, will be a Salmon River Steward this summer. In his spare time, he enjoys birding, mountain biking, fishing, and Tae Kwon Do. Jim joins the program from Syracuse and has an interest in conservation biology.

Emily Freeman, an Oswego County native from West Monroe, will be a senior at SUNY ESF majoring in environmental studies. When not monitoring the Salmon River corridor, she enjoys wakeboarding, geocahing, hiking, and camping.

Mary Penney of New York Sea Grant, Oswego, returns for her fourth season as Eastern Lake Ontario Dune/Salmon River Steward Program Coordinator. Penney notes,"This year the Steward Program may be seeking student candidates to work as Salmon River Stewards for the fall academic semester: Anyone interested in the positions should contact the New York Sea Grant Oswego office at 315-312-3042."

The Eastern Lake Ontario Dune and Salmon River Steward Program is managed by New York Sea Grant in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and The Nature Conservancy.

With the unseasonably warm temperatures projected for the upcoming holiday weekend, you are encouraged to enjoy some of the great recreational opportunities in Oswego Jefferson Counties, and to get to know the 2009 Steward Crew!