“I've always been interested in Earth Day,” said Linda Russell, the director of religious education at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn. “As people of the Christian faith, we're called to take care of God's creation. It's the concept of good stewardship.”

As an extension of that philosophy, the church is holding a luncheon next week with guest speaker Jessica Miles, the Owasco Lake watershed inspector.

The position of watershed inspector has been in existence for less than a year and is under the direction of the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Before Miles was hired, several goals had been set, priorities were established and a mission statement was written. This statement reads: “The objective of the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection program is to help protect and enhance Owasco Lake as a potable water source.”

Miles said she was very happy to speak at the church luncheon.

“Anytime I can have an opportunity to get out into the public, I take it,” she said. “I like working with people from an educational standpoint.”

Miles' goal and personal philosophy are both a good match with the goals of her job. Some of the “issues of concern,” which were identified within the watershed area as far back as 2000, were aquatic vegetation, boating safety, Emerson Park, the agricultural, commercial and municipal use of herbicides and pesticides, invasive species and much more. The full list and other detailed information may be found at the Water Quality Management Agency's Web site (http://co.cayuga.ny.us/wqma/owasco/state.htm).

Whether she is speaking to groups or an individual, Miles said, “I try to show that small changes in their habits can have a big impact on the environment. For instance, it's better to wash your car on the grass or on gravel, rather than on blacktop or concrete.

The detergents will soak into the ground or soil, but if they wash away into drainage ditches they can end up in the lake and add to the pollution.”

A nice, green lawn may be an asset to a home, but sometimes it comes with an environmental price.

In addition to the hazards that are created by toxic lawn chemicals, even lawn waste can be problematic.

“Lawn clippings don't break down,” Miles said. “Believe it or not, some people throw them in the lake. That builds up phosphorus, and the brush can accumulate, interfering with flow and drainage.“

The Owasco Watershed extends over an area of more than 200 square miles and includes parts of Cayuga, Onondaga and Tompkins counties. By comparison, the area of the Skaneateles Lake watershed is only 60 square miles.

Being the only inspector in Cayuga County is a challenge that Miles has worked all her life for.

“As a child I was always outdoors,” she recalls.

After considering several colleges,

Miles enrolled in the four-year Wildlife Management program at SUNY Cobleskill.

“The classes were very specific,” she said. “You either knew it was for you, or it wasn't. We went out in all kinds of weather.”

The theme of the luncheon at Westminster Church is “A Gift of Water, A Gift of Life.” Although Miles' job is secular in nature, Russell hopes everyone will keep this thought in mind: “As people around the country celebrate Earth Day April 22, Christians are reminded that God calls us to be wise and faithful stewards of the earth and all its natural resources 365 days a year.“