Students learn about native painted turtles at a Critter Encounter event. Photo provided by Lilly Center.

News Release

INDIANA — The Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams has released their summer event calendar, amongst the events is Learning on the Water: Birding Basics. The Lilly Center offers a summer event calendar full of family-friendly events, including critter encounters featuring critters such as fish, turtles and mudpuppies.

Despite Kosciusko County being home to over 100 lakes, some residents have never had the chance to try fishing or interact with a native critter. The Lilly Center is changing this by offering free events that help county residents engage with their lake in a new way.

Connecting with your lake is the first step toward caring for it. Whether you are visiting a public access point, boating, walking on the beach, or attending a Lilly Center event, it is an opportunity to appreciate all that our lakes have to offer.

Events are available for students of all ages and adults that incorporate science and hands-on activities:

10:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 5 and June 12: Stories & STEM
Join the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams and the Warsaw Community Public Library for an elementary-aged story time and hands-on activities. Each week will be focus on a topic that showcases how important our local lakes, wetlands, and streams are to making our local community healthy and enjoyable. For more information, click here.

10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 1: Growing Together Part III: Rain Barrels
Making your garden self-sufficient with rain barrels not only helps the environment, it saves you money. Join for the third women’s workshop in the Growing Together series where the focus is on rain barrels. The speaker will share the benefits of installing a rain barrel on your property. Then, participants will make your own rain barrel with the provided materials. The cost of this workshop is $30 to help cover the costs of the rain barrel materials. Register here.

9:30-11 a.m. Friday, June 14: Critter Encounter: Fish
Join for a delightful and educational experience at Critter Encounter: Fish! This family-friendly event offers hands-on learning, engaging activities, art projects, delicious snacks, story time sessions and a unique opportunity to interact with fish. Don’t miss out on this fun and educational experience, come dive into the wonders of aquatic life. Register for free here.

9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 15: Learning on the Water: Birding Basics
Looking for a new hobby or a fun adventure? Join for Expedition: Learning on the Water Birding Basics at Tippecanoe River Adventures. You will get to explore our waterways while learning from our speaker, Nathaniel Wise, about native birds and how we can keep their ecosystems clean. Nathaniel Wise is a lifelong bird enthusiast who grew up in Warsaw and earned his environmental science degree at Grace College. While attending Grace, he worked at the Lilly Center as an aquarium assistant, then spent two field seasons conducting bird surveys in western states. Returning to Warsaw, he accepted a role as a conservation program technician at Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District. He enjoys birding during his free time, particularly around the area’s many wetlands. The cost for this event is $10 for a kayak rental and $15 for a canoe rental. Reserve your watercraft here. Bring sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and water shoes. Snacks, water, bug spray, and a limited number of binoculars are provided.

10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 19: Lake Fun With Lilly Day
Join for lake-related activities. Attendees will be able to fish, play water games and enjoy Winona Lake. The Lilly Center will provide fishing poles to borrow and bait to use, but feel free to bring your own. For more information, click here.

10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 26: Swamp Stomp
In partnership with Warsaw Community Public Library, attendees will take an interpretive hike around the wetland at Grace College. Attendees will get their hands dirty collecting wetland soil profiles and creating a working wetland model. You are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, hats and sunscreen to protect yourself. For more information, click here.

9:30-11 a.m. Friday, June 28: Critter Encounter: Mudpuppy
This event offers a morning of engaging activities and hands-on learning. Enjoy mudpuppy-themed art projects, delicious snacks, story time sessions and a unique opportunity to interact with a mudpuppy. Bring the whole family for a memorable experience that combines education and fun. Register for free here.

9:30-11 a.m. Friday, July 19: Critter Encounter: Turtle
Bring the family to meet multiple aquatic critters and participate in hands-on activities, including games, story time and art projects. You will get to touch, hold, and/or feed the animals. Register for free here.