Pictured from left are Dr. Nathan Bosch, director, Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams at Grace College; KLA Cadet Jenn Olson; Heather Harwood, executive director, Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation; and KLA Cadet Ben Rice. Photo provided by Liz Trinh Dewart.

News Release

WARSAW — On Tuesday, Sept. 20, 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, presented the economic impact of the Lakes and the importance of protecting the greatest natural assets in Kosciusko County.

Bosch explained his organization’s strategy of protecting the future of the county’s water systems through research, education and collaboration. The 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 resource. Kosciusko County lakes flow into Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico from the continental divide near North Webster. Tippecanoe River is in the top 10 in the country for biodiversity, and there is also a new kayak and canoe launch to the Tippecanoe River at Creighton’s Crazy Egg Café.

WACF, now in its 30th year, encourages others to be good stewards of water resources. 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 2 miles of trails.

From noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 8-9, WACF will hold a Falltastic Trail walk event starting at the WACC Ruddell Pavilion in Syracuse.

The next KLA session will be held Oct. 4 and will cover law enforcement and the judicial system in Kosciusko County at the old Courtroom in the Kosciusko County Courthouse.

The Kosciusko Leadership Academy is in its 41st year of service to the county. As an independent 501-3(c) organization, KLA conducts bi-weekly 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.  For more information, visit www.kocsciuskoleadership.org