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The Lake Friendly Living Coalition of the Finger Lakes
WHAT HAPPENS AROUND YOUR HOME MATTERS TO THE HEALTH OF THE LAKES
Make a difference in the Owasco Lake Watershed today:
Join the Lake Friendly Living Coalition's Pledge Program
For more information on The Lake Friendly Living Coalition of the Finger Lakes, The Pledge Program, the importance of The Pledge Program, and what you can do to help:
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What is The Lake Friendly Living Coalition of the Finger Lakes?
The Lake Friendly Living Coalition of the Finger Lakes represents the eleven Finger Lakes. Nine of the member Finger Lakes have associated programming that can be found on their respective websites: Canandaigua, Cayuga, Keuka, Otisco, Owasco, Seneca, Conesus, Honeoye, and Skaneateles Lakes.
Owasco Lake has increasingly experienced Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), in part due to nutrient loading that promotes the growth of Cyanobacteria. HABs can reduce property values, inhibit recreational opportunities, and degrade water quality.
To advance pollution and nutrient reduction as well as water conservation in the Owasco Lake Watershed, The Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council has joined a Finger Lakes regional effort to bring together property owners to preserve and protect their watersheds with a collective voice through the 'Lake Friendly Living' Pledge Program.
Join the 'Lake Friendly Living' Pledge Program to advance a variety of land and water stewardship practices in the Owasco Lake Watershed. This pledge opportunity aligns with 'Lake Friendly Living' Pledges taken throughout the Finger Lakes Region.
What is the 'Lake Friendly Living' Pledge Program, and why should I join?
Being 'lake-friendly' means making active choices that prioritize the health of the lake. Our choices can affect the water quality of Owasco Lake, and therefore, incorporating 'Lake Friendly Living' practices into your home activities can reduce your impact on the lake.
Reducing the use of fertilizers and chemicals on your property can help minimize excess nutrients and pollutants entering our waterways. Nutrients are a leading driver of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). We instead recommend that watershed residents explore and start utilizing native grasses, crops, and gardens that prosper without the need for commercial fertilizers and chemical additives. You can have a beautiful lawn and a bumper crop while protecting Owasco Lake.
Many watershed residents that have joined the Lake Friendly Living Coalition’s Pledge Program are incorporating 'Lake Friendly Living' practices to reduce their impacts on Owasco Lake, and are displaying a free 'Lake Friendly Living' lawn sign (below). These residents are pioneers in watershed management, and we would be proud to see you join the Pledge Program, and incorporate the use of Lake Friendly practices.
Become a part of the solution today, and commit to refraining from the use of excessive lawn fertilizers and chemicals and to adopting land and water stewardship
practices.