LAKE FRIENDLY LIVING PROGRAM

As watershed residents, we all share the responsibility in protecting the health of Canandaigua Lake. The good news is, we are empowered to make sound management decisions that will have a positive impact on our watershed. Start by adopting lake-friendly living practices around your home today!

Excess nutrients and pollutants in our lake can contribute to harmful algal blooms, increased aquatic plant growth, and the degradation of our water quality. So, let’s work together to preserve the integrity of our beautiful lake for years to come.

Being lake-friendly means making active choices that prioritize the health of the lake.  There are many easy ways to get started:

• Practice lake-friendly lawn care by saying no to harmful chemicals and excess fertilizers
• Maintain septic systems
• Reduce household hazardous waste
• Avoid flushing medications
• Take your vehicle to a car wash instead of cleaning it in your driveway
• Pick up pet waste
• Identify and report terrestrial invasive species
• Reduce the size of your lawn and plant native species

If you have not already, please take the lake friendly living pledge to join the 100’s of participants who have committed to the actions above to help protect water quality. Scroll down through our lake friendly living resources to find the pledge.

If you are a large landowner who wants to commit to lawn care practices that protect the lake, you will also find our lake friendly lawn care program below our lake friendly living pledge.

We thank you in advance for your committment to protecting the lake!

LAKE FRIENDLY LIVING GUIDE

NATURE’S BEST HOPE RESOURCE GUIDE

SPECIAL WASTE COLLECTION EVENTS

NATIVE PLANTS FOR GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING

Rain Gardens

A rain garden is a shallow, landscaped depression designed to collect rainwater from roofs, driveways, sidewalks, and other hard surfaces. By letting the water slowly soak into the ground, rain gardens reduce stormwater runoff that would otherwise flow into our lakes, rivers, and streams. They’re a beautiful, sustainable way to manage stormwater—and help protect Canandaigua Lake and other nearby waterways. Learn more about rain gardens and their many benefits in protecting water quality here.

Rain Barrels

A rain barrel attached to your downspouts can collect rainwater which would otherwise pick up soil, fertilizer, oil, pesticides and other contaminants from hard surfaces and landscapes.  Learn more about the benefits of rain barrels by checking out this Virtual Rain Barrel Worshop with the Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District (OCSWCD).

Cornell Turfgrass Program

Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District – Managing Your Stormwater

CCE Onandaga County – Landscaping for Water Quality

NYS DEC – Green Yard and Garden Tips

Native Shrubs and Trees for New York Streamsides

Find Native Plant Suppliers Using this Link

How to Build a Rain Barrel – a Step by Step Guide

Downspout Diverters for Rain Barrels

Lawn Care Pledge Card

CLWA Reccomendations for Lake- friendly lawn care

Homeowners Lawn Care and Water Quality Almanac

E-Book with video links:
Lawn Care: The Easiest Steps to an Attractive Environmental Asset

CCE Salting Fact Sheet

Take the Lake Friendly Living Pledge!

Take the pledge today and volunteer to proudly display a “Lake Friendly Living” sign, magnet or sticker. Signs are free for dues-paying CLWA members and can be displayed proudly on your property to let your neighbors know that you are doing your part to protect the lake. We also have car magnets or stickers available for display if you do not want a yard sign or you don’t have good visibility for the sign on your property.

Fill out the below form and we will contact you to make arrangements to get you a sign, magnet or sticker.

I KNOW that my personal choices can affect the water quality of Canandaigua Lake, therefore,

I PLEDGE to incorporate lake-friendly living practices into my daily life to reduce my impact on the lake. Thus,

I WILL adopt these CLWA guidelines and practices that help reduce or eliminate pollutants, minimize harmful stream runoff, and protect the health of Canandaigua Lake.

I will follow lake-friendly lawn care by avoiding the use of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus and mowing grass at a height of 3-4 inches to promote deeper roots and healthier grass.

I will leave grass clippings on the lawn and refrain from blowing lawn clippings in the road which can end up in the street drainage system.

I will pick up yard waste, pet waste, litter, and trash, keeping storm drains and roadside ditches clear and free of debris.

I will properly maintain my septic system and have it regularly checked/inspected every 3-5 years.

I will reduce my use of household hazardous, flammable, and toxic wastes around my property and dispose of them properly when finished. Check out https://ontariocountyrecycles.org/ for upcoming collection events.

I will dispose of unwanted and expired prescription drugs properly at collection sites and not flush them down a toilet.

I will appropriately maintain my motor vehicles, watercraft, and other recreational vehicles regularly checking for any oil leakage.

I will incorporate best practices to reduce the spread of invasive species on my home property by becoming familiar, identifying, and reporting areas of concern.

I will strive to reduce erosion and minimize or capture runoff on my property, such as by installing a rain barrel or rain garden.

I will conserve household water usage and reduce watering lawn areas.

For more information about Lake-Friendly Living initiatives and projects, see CLWA’s “Homeowner’s Guide to Lake-Friendly Living” available on this webpage and at the CLWA office at 144 Mill Street, Canandaigua or check-out more information, resources, and suggestions to do around your home and community at canandaigualakeassoc.org