Protect and promote

OWASCO - With Owasco Lake being not only a source of entertainment for some but also the main source of drinking water for almost 50,000 people, the Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA) aims to promote and protect its value. This is the reason why the group created Lake Day, a day to celebrate a jewel of Cayuga County and to promote awareness of its importance.

“Water is an essential need for the quality of life,” said Dr. Joe Wasileski, president of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association during the second annual Lake Day held Wednesday evening at the Emerson Park pavilion. “We want to get the community involved, the people who use this water on a day-to-day basis. It is up to us to protect our wonderful creation. It is up to us, as a community, to take action.”

Wasileski attributed Lake Day's meaning to be sort of a localized Earth Day, a day in which members from each community that borders Owasco Lake to come together to update efforts and learn new ideas that will preserve the lake.