The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), State University of New York College of Environment Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, City of Syracuse, Onondaga Environmental Institute (OEI), and community partners today announced an Onondaga Creek Watershed Environmental Justice Listening Session will be held Wednesday, June 3, at the Bob Cecile Community Center in Syracuse. This public event will focus on capturing new ideas and harnessing existing momentum to build a more resilient creek watershed community.  

“Onondaga Creek sustains and unites many communities as its headwaters flow from the Onondaga Nation in Tully to Onondaga Lake and the four towns and City of Syracuse within its watershed,” DEC Region 7 Director Dereth Glance said. “DEC is thrilled to support Onondaga Creek revitalization efforts alongside a community long guided by principles of environmental justice.” 

The event is an extension of DEC’s ongoing efforts to promote and enhance awareness of Environmental Justice programs to better serve communities, build relationships between agencies and community members, and help prioritize future outreach efforts for public participation. It will build upon work already being done by a large group of community organizations focused on the health of the Onondaga Creek watershed. 

Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens said, “Effective planning is rooted in meaningful community involvement. When residents, stakeholders, and local leaders actively contribute their knowledge and perspectives, the planning process becomes not only more informed, but more resilient and equitable. A watershed’s long term health depends on the collective commitment of the people who rely on it and their willingness to collaborate to guide its future.” 

Dr. Madeline Nyblade, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Faculty Co-Director for the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at SUNY ESF, said, “In February, a subset of our community gathered to hear about the history and ongoing efforts around Onondaga Creek, and the room was packed. It was clear how deeply this creek matters to the people here, and how much potential exists for greater coordination and stewardship. I'm excited to be part of the broad coalition of governments and organizations that came together to make this happen, a space where we can hear directly from the people who live within the watershed. What we hear from this community will drive our collective responsibility to care for Onondaga Creek.” 

Onondaga Environmental Institute President Ed Michalenko said, “The Onondaga Creek Conceptual Revitalization Plan in 2009 was the culmination of a collaborative, community-driven process where residents and stakeholders throughout the watershed came together to voice their concerns and visions for the Onondaga Creek watershed. Now, more than 15 years since the publication of the OCRP, much has changed in the watershed. Therefore, it is an ideal time to revitalize the OCRP – to highlight the positive improvements made to the watershed since 2009 (and due to the OCRP), as well as to identify today’s concerns for the watershed and how we may envision a restored Onondaga Creek watershed for the betterment of our communities and ecosystems.” 

The listening session will be held on Wednesday, June 3 at the Bob Cecile Community Center, 174 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13205. Doors open at 5 p.m. for an informal and interactive open house with subject matter experts. At 5:30 p.m., there will be brief remarks and an overview of previous work in the watershed. Community leaders will then facilitate discussions about flood resilience, recreation and creek access, housing and neighborhood amenities, water quality and habitat, and shared governance within the watershed. Participants will be able to engage with community leaders and DEC staff throughout the evening to provide comments and feedback on environmental priorities within the Onondaga Creek Watershed. 

Registration for this free event is encouraged but not required. Register here. 

Language interpretation services shall be made available to persons with limited English proficiency, including American Sign Language, at no cost. Requests can be directed to the NYSDEC Division of Communication, Education, and Engagement by mail (address: NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-4500), e-mail (language@dec.ny.gov), or phone (518) 402-8028. 

This event is supported by DEC’s Office of Environmental Justice; for more information about this office, visit the DEC website.