If you have known the Lilly Center for any length of time, then you know that we are total geeks for freshwater science, or limnology. We love data, charts, frogs, fish, waders, and so on… but did you know that when it comes to the actual impact that we can make on our lakes and streams, we can only ever do a fraction of the work? Not only that, but the health of our local water bodies has a direct impact on every person in the county, and all the people in the county have a direct impact on the health of the lake, not just those with lake properties (that is what it means to live in a watershed!)
This summer, we are launching a new community education program that will provide a variety of ways to get involved. Utilizing four series of events dispersed throughout the year, we hope to reach you (and your friends and neighbors) with tools and experiences that will connect you with our lakes and streams.
Expedition Series
Family-friendly and hands-on, expeditions get you out into nature. At an expedition, you could take a hike through a local wetland, explore the wonderful world of macro-invertebrates, or see wildlife up close!
Workshop Series
Workshops are designed for people who want to take the next step to build skills and learn what actions to take to protect water quality. Topics include native plants, green cleaning, thinking through land/water ethic, and more.
Webinar Series
Join these webinar training sessions to learn how to identify and deal with threats to our water bodies. This will amplify the “boots on the ground” effort and allow you to voluntarily monitor for invasive aquatic plants, blue-green algae, spills and pollution, as well as provide tools to conduct your own clean-up efforts.
Lunch & Learn Series
Geared toward professionals, lunch & learns provide information on integrating business and conservation practices, as well as assistance to get certifications for businesses and citizens who are taking steps toward sustainable processes.
Not everyone is going to be a science geek, a plant-lover, or a lake property owner; however, all of us can appreciate the benefits that natural areas provide. Join us as we build a community that is equipped with the experience, knowledge and tools to make a difference to keep our county and its lakes clean, healthy, safe and beautiful.
More information and RSVP links to the following events (up-to-date as of May 14, 2020) will be available soon. In the meantime, please contact Caitlin Yoder, education coordinator, with questions or comments: yodercs@grace.edu or 574-372-5100 ext 6453. -by Caitlin Yoder, education coordinator, from lakes.grace.edu