Natural Resources
Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County’s Natural Resources program area focuses on the following subject areas: Water Resources, Urban and Community Forestry, and Youth Corps programs.
Cooperative Extension offers tours, workshops, conferences and demonstration projects on topics that help prevent pollution of local lakes, rivers, streams and drinking water supplies. Examples include care and maintenance of septic systems, well protection, stormwater management, and landscaping for water quality. The Skaneateles Lake Watershed remains one of the priority areas for municipal and resident education, since it is the drinking water supply for the City of Syracuse and other Onondaga County municipalities.
Water Resources Introduction
Onondaga County is rich in a diversity of tree species and habitats. Our urban trees face challenges from construction, road salt and more. Cooperative Extension works to improve the quality and health of our urban forest by assisting local community groups to improve the tree cover in their own neighborhoods, advising homeowners and municipal staff of tree care issues, assisting municipalities to develop proactive methods to manage and maintain their tree resources, and by bringing together county residents to plant and care for trees on public spaces.
Urban Forestry
Youth Corps is a proven model of youth development that is versatile and cost-effective. They empower young people to restore communities and conserve environments through service, while also developing employment and citizenship skills. Since the start of the Onondaga Earth Corps in 2005, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County has collaborated with numerous community partners to bring the community and environmental benefits of youth corps to Onondaga County.
Youth Corps Introduction
Onondaga Earth Corps
Urban Ag Corps
Oneida Lake Youth Corps