Harvesting

Mike Stout, operator and driver of the harvester had many individuals that rode along with him as watch dogs to ensure the boat was clear of debris, assist with weed identification and ensure boat navigation!

Bill Walsh, Cassandra Juchter, Charles Yale, Diana Bome, Jeff Wilson, Jeffrey Park, Jim Kelly, Jim Maloney, John Bome, Lew Loudermilk, Marie Yeager, Mark Tewksbury, Mary Brown, Mary DeSantis, Melissa Graves, Mike Bome, Mike Nerone, Pat Gorman, Rick Harold, Tom Kilmer, Rich Williams

Otisco Lake’s hemlock trees have been affected by the Invasive Adelgid beetle. This infestation eventually kills of the hemlocks. Studies suggest that the
Red Spruce are the recommended species to substitute for hemlocks. The Spruce also resist the adelgid and deer damage!

Volunteers, led by Margie Creamer and Rich Thomas provided a demonstration on the correct way to plant the trees along with a handout.

Other volunteers included Tim Creamer, Mike Bome and Jen Griffin.

Many thanks to all of these individuals!

Many volunteers were instrumental in communicating important information to residents and members through social media, email, snail mail and the website. Many thanks to Kate Walsh, Mary Desantis, Rachel Lewis, Jen Griffin, Mary Brown and Linda Kelly for their efforts in making this possible.

Every year the OLPA membership gets together for Earth Day. Organized by BIll and Patty Ayling, this group collects trash and debris from assigned areas around the lake . Thank you to all the volunteers that participate in this important event every year! We don’t have a full list of volunteers, so if you were there, please accept our thank you!

This is a volunteer lake monitoring program run by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. These volunteers collect biweekly water quality data and samples throughout the summer This sampling provides necessary information to the NYSDEC which is then tabulated and reported back to the lake with a basis for making management decisions.

Thank you to Jim Kelly, Mike Walsh and Rich Thomas for their efforts in data collection.

The Otisco Lake watershed is a critical component in maintaining the health and ecological balance of Otisco Lake. It encompasses the land area that drains rainwater and runoff into the lake, carrying with it nutrients, sediments, and pollutants from both natural and human activities. Protecting and managing this watershed is essential to preserving water quality, supporting native habitats, and controlling invasive species that threaten the lake’s biodiversity. Effective stewardship of the Otisco Lake watershed ensures a sustainable fresh water supply, recreational opportunities, and the overall vitality of the lake ecosystem.

Thank you to the following individuals for their stewardship:

Tim Creamer, Marion Greenhalgh, Kim Sherwin, Bob Goodfellow, Kurt Birchler, Frank Moses, Jim Walsh, Margie Creamer, Cody McQueeney, Mary Desantis

AnnMarie Clark, Kate Walsh, Lorinda Obrien, Mary DeSantis, Rachel Lewis, Diane and John Foster, Kristen Syron, Mary Brown, RB Harrison, Jen Griffin, Mike Bome, Pat Dailey, Jim Maloney, Mary Reagan Dailey, Richard Thomas, Bill Ayling, Charlie Yale, Michael Romano, Robert Goodfellow, Kim Mathieson, Casey Horton, Laurie Hahl, Mike Walsh, Robert Friedman, Prudence York

In 2024, OLPA became a membership driven organization. Benefits of membership include actively engaging in voting rights and decision-making processes to collaboratively prtect the lake. Last year, our membership totaled 300 members. In 2025, we expanded the membership levels and set our goal of $35,000. This year, Mary Brown and the committee raised over $70,000. Her volunteers went door-to-door, solicited residents and participated in community events to drive membership.

Mike Bome, Jen Griffin, Mary Brown 
Marion Greenhalgh., Jim Maloney, 
Marita Petrera, Diana Bome, Linda Kelly, 
Kate Walsh, Joanne Loudermilk, 
Prudence York, Bob Goodfellow, AnnMarie Clark,  Mary DeSantis, Lorinda Obrien

Once a year, OLPA provides a Dumpster Day to its membership. Any unwanted items can be dropped off and disposed of by the OLPA team.

Thank you to Teri Lore, Marge Robbins, Mary Desantis and Barb Lynch for organizing this event. Additionally, we would like to thank Tim Fey for providing the space at T&T Bottle Redemption Center on Otisco Valley Road.