Central New York Community Comes Together for Endangered Species Day

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Youth Bureau partnered with the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, CiTi BOCES students and Oswego County Master Gardeners to host an Endangered Species Day cleanup event in May. Nearly 150 students, community partners and other volunteers came out to Oswego County’s Independence Trail in Scriba to join the effort.

“This annual event reminds us that every act, large or small, makes a difference in protecting the natural spaces in our community,” said Brian Chetney, executive director of the Oswego County Youth Bureau. “Safeguarding endangered species habitats also benefits the abundant wildlife at home in our woodlands, wetlands and other nature areas.”

One of this year’s big projects was the creation of a new pollinator garden. A team of volunteers cleared the designated space, tilled the land and laid topsoil before planting select plants to create a thriving habitat for diverse pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths and birds.

These complementary native plants were chosen to provide a continuous food supply and serve as essential larval hosts throughout the entire growing season. They include shrubby St. John’s wort, spicebush, purple coneflower, boneset, tall cinquefoil, pussytoes, golden Alexander, Aster, blue false indigo, columbine, anise hyssop, yellow wild indigo, spotted Joe Pye weed, wild bergamot, pearly everlasting, pink tickseed, stiff goldenrod and hairy beard-tongue.

“This was such a great event, very productive,” said Oswego County Director of Recreation and Youth Development Zach Grulich. “The weather could not have been more perfect and we had a big turn-out to help with all the projects we had going on around the trail. Everyone worked together to make significant improvements and introduce new spaces to enjoy.”

Another large project was the creation of a new picnic area at one of the trailheads. Volunteers cleared out vegetation and debris to create a little grove near the parking area, laid woodchips over the surface and brought in several picnic tables.

In addition to these projects, volunteers also helped build and post bluebird boxes; and laid wood chips to border and expand some existing trails, making them more defined and accessible.

Endangered Species Day is an annual effort to celebrate and learn about species that are threatened or endangered and take actions to protect them.

Independence Trail is located off NYS Rte. 104 and county Route 1A in Scriba, adjacent to Sithe Energies Station. To view a trail map, visit https://youthbureau.oswegocountyny.gov/parks_recreation/independence_trail/index.php.

For more information about the Oswego County Youth Bureau or Independence Trail, call 315-349-3451 or visit https://youthbureau.oswegocountyny.gov/.