KLA Cadets Learn About Protecting Water Resources In Kosciusko County
KLA Cadets Learn About Protecting Water Resources In Kosciusko County
Posted
Staff Report-
KLA Cadets Learn About Protecting Water Resources In Kosciusko CountyWINONA LAKE – On Sept. 21, the Kosciusko Leadership Academy cadets visited The Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams at Grace College.
Dr. Nate Bosch, director of Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams, and Heather Harwood, executive director for Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation (WACF), presented the economic impact of the lakes and protecting the county’s greatest natural asset in Kosciusko County, according to a news release from KLA.
Bosch said in the session his organization’s strategy of protecting the future of the county’s water systems is through research, education and collaboration. The 2016 economic impact study done by the Lilly Center showed $313 million is brought into the local economy annually because of the lakes. With over 100 lakes and nearly 600 miles of streams in Kosciusko County, it is the county’s greatest natural asset.
WACF, now in its 30th year, encourages others to be good stewards of water resources, stated the release. Their efforts have resulted in the acquisition and protection of over 10 miles of shoreline and 51 wetland areas totaling over 900 acres. WACF also has a new amphitheater.
Both presenters emphasized actions every county resident can take to preserve the purity of our lakes and streams, including:
• Make sure that any lawn chemicals used on your property do NOT contain phosphorous.
• Incorporate native plants as a buffer between your lawn or patio and the lake to soak up run-off before it gets to the lake.
• The lake bottom contains phosphorous, too. Don’t stir up the lake bottom. Watch for a plume behind your boat no matter what your lake activity.
The next KLA session will cover law enforcement and the judicial system in Kosciusko County in the old county courthouse court room on Tuesday.
KLA is in its 40th year of service to the county. As an independent 501-3(c) organization, KLA conducts biweekly morning sessions around the county to expose leaders to a wide variety of local topics and experts. The annual whitepaper projects have yielded many benefits to the citizens of Kosciusko County, according to the news release.
For more information, visit the website at www.kocsciuskoleadership.org.
