The annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Celebration and meeting wasn’t open to the public, but hundreds could view the meeting happenings through a live stream on the foundation’s Facebook page. Over 304 people viewed and heard about the activities of WACF, recognitions and overview on the first year of the Wawasee Inlet Nutrient Study.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee discussed the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Conklin Bay project at the Monday night, July 20, meeting.

An update on the new project was also discussed. Minor issues are still being addressed. Selge Construction was on-site last week to follow up. Erlene Yentes, executive director, updated the committee that educational signs are located along the trail.

Calling all elementary kids. Bring a parent to Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation this Wednesday morning at 9 for a fun experience learning about wetlands.

A public ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for the Conklin Bay Boardwalk and Trail. The ceremony will be conducted by the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 30, at the entrance to the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation headquarters on SR 13, south of Syracuse.

The ribbon cutting represents a significant step forward for the trails committee. It received a grant in May 2019 from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Next Level Trails program. Construction began in October. While the last section of the Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail was completed in March, the trail officially opened in May.

A workshop explaining pollinators was held Monday evening, June 22, at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Ruddell Pavilion, hosted by WACF, The Watershed Foundation and other partners. Approximately 45 people attended to hear a presentation by Brad Clayton, Clayton Garden Center, who is a watershed conservationist for TWF with a bachelor’s degree in plant and soil science — crop science.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee meeting was held Monday night, June 15. An update on the Conklin Bay project was discussed. A final walk through May 15 went well with minor issues being addressed.

News Release SYRACUSE — The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation announces the results from the first year of their landmark Wawasee Inlets Nutrient Study. This study is the first of its kind for the Wawasee Watershed and the data from the three year scientific effort will yield a comprehensive analysis of nutrient and sediment loads. The …read more.

The Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee has announced that the Conklin Bay trail and boardwalk project in Syracuse is complete and open to the public. An official ribbon cutting will be scheduled at a later date.

By Phoebe Muthart InkFreeNews SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee conducted a virtual Zoom meeting Monday night, May 18. An update on the new Conklin Bay project was given. Selge Construction completed the project last Wednesday, May 13. A final walk-through was last Friday, May 15, and went well with minor issues to address. Erlene Yentes, …read more.

The Syracuse Town Council held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, March 17, to handle essential business only.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard updates on the new Conklin Bay boardwalk and SR 13 trail project at its meeting Monday, Oct. 28. Two of the contractors working on the current project attended the meeting. Christian Baybutt from Selge Construction and George Trueblood of Earth Source Inc. were at Monday night’s meeting. They gave …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation recently opened two new trails on its Syracuse Lake Preserve property located at the confluence of Syracuse Lake, Bonar Lake, Mud Lake and Lake Wawasee. Funding for the creation of the trails and trail signage was provided by a grant from the Harkless Foundation. Parking is available just south …read more.

SYRACUSE — Workers for Selge Construction, Niles, Mich., have completed prep work and are working to create the base for the concrete sidewalk on the new Conklin Bay Trail. Work is currently taking place in front of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center on SR 13. Officials with Selge said …read more.

SYRACUSE — The forecast for the fifth annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Falltastic Trail Walk appears to be perfect for a walk through the trails on the WACF educational property. The temperatures will be in the mid to high 60s. The annual trail walk will be held from noon to 4 p.m. both Saturday, Oct. …read more.

SYRACUSE — The forecast for the fifth annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Falltastic Trail Walk appears to be perfect for a walk through the trails on the WACF educational property. The temperatures will be in the mid to high 60s. The annual trail walk will be held from noon to 4 p.m. both Saturday, Oct. …read more.

By MARY HURSH Guest Writer SYRACUSE — Swedish author Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson in her book “Buzz, Sting, Bite,” is often asked why we need mosquitoes, wasps and deer flies. And the answer is that insects underpin the world as we know it and that they play a vital role with other animals and plants. Her book …read more.

SYRACUSE — Originally referred to as the Johnson Bay East Preserve, the property owned by Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation was dedicated Wednesday as the Zimmerman Preserve in appreciation of the generous support of Chuck and Nancy Zimmerman. The property was renamed in honor of Chuck Zimmerman’s grandparents, John and Marie Zimmerman. The property is located …read more.

SYRACUSE — His voice is recognizable when he speaks, that is if you listened to WOWO radio in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. Chris Roberts, who resides on Medusa Street, Syracuse, has been in television and radio broadcasting since the age of 14. He is adding a new chapter to his life. He is the …read more.

  SYRACUSE  — The Conklin Bay boardwalk project is expected to begin approximately Monday, Oct. 14, the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard Monday, Sept. 16. A pre-construction meeting was conducted Monday morning at Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s office in Syracuse. At the meeting was Robert Smith, a board member, and representatives of the project’s contractors. There was …read more.

  SYRACUSE — Limnologists study fresh water lakes and what takes place in the lake, explained Dr. Jerry Sweeten. His work is studying streams. He saw the opportunity to do a study on inlets into Lake Wawasee as a great “experimental design.” Additionally Wawasee is setting a new standard as no study like this has …read more.

  SYRACUSE — John Bearss and Jim and Sally Hubbard were recipients of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation 2019 Cattail Award. The award was presented at the annual WACF Summer Celebration and Brunch Saturday, July 27. Bearss, whose family has been coming to the lake for more than 60 years and himself all his life, …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation has been presented a $150,000 grant from the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation. This matching grant will be used to further the Wawasee Inlets Nutrient Study, an initiative to provide a comprehensive analysis of the nutrient and sediment loads within the Wawasee Watershed. The grant was funded through Northeast Indiana …read more.

SYRACUSE — For the second year in a row, the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and the Department of Natural Resources teamed up to provide a family fishing event between the lakes on Wednesday morning, July 3.

SYRACUSE — The Event, hosted by the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation was more than just a “friend”raiser Friday evening, June 28. One couple decided to celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary. An area woman gathered with friends to celebrate her birthday. The evening event, despite the high temperatures and humidity, was a success with close to …read more.

SYRACUSE — Join lake friends for a casual evening of food, live music and a grand prize giveaway at Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s “The Event,” a summer social. “The Event” will be from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, June 28, at the WACF Ruddell Pavilion, 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse. “The Event” is just that, …read more.

SYRACUSE — For more than 20 years, experienced Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation guides have been leading canoe trips through the 10 lakes that feed water into Lake Wawasee. The annual WACF canoe trips are great family fun and will begin Friday, June 21, and continue every Friday through Aug. 16. The trips are from 7:30 …read more.

SYRACUSE — To advance its mission “to protect, preserve and enhance the Wawasee area watershed now and for future generations,” Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation hosted a Lake Talk & Eats and native plant sale Saturday, June 1. The event featured three local vendors and an informative speaker. The vendors offered native trees, bushes, perennials and grasses …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee Executive Director Megan McClellan announced her resignation Wednesday, May 29, after serving nearly five years. She has accepted a job as Fort Wayne Trails director starting in June. Coinciding with McClellan’s departure is the groundbreaking ceremony for the Conklin Bay trail, a project she worked on for much of her time …read more.

SYRACUSE — A plan to repair the lake level control device in Syracuse will be a “win, win” for the town of Syracuse and the residents upstream and downstream. Repairs will be done in two phases. The first phase is repairs immediately upstream and downstream of the device. This will be done with funds received …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Education Center will come alive with activity for people of all ages Saturday, April 27, as it hosts its annual Earth Day celebration. Activities are planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration event and all activities are free to those who stop in at the center, located …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Education Center will come alive with activity for people of all ages Saturday, April 27, as it hosts its annual Earth Day celebration. Activities are planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration event and all activities are free to those who stop in at the center, located …read more.

SYRACUSE — It’s been close to two years since discussions were held publicly about how to finance repairs needed to the Syracuse Flood Control Structure, also known as the Syracuse Memorial Dam. Since then a committee of representatives from the Syracuse Lake Association, Wawasee Property Owners Association and Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation was formed to …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee held its regular monthly meeting Monday evening, March 18. Attendees heard reports on the activities of two subcommittees: New trails, which is researching future trail projects; and development, dedicated to fundraising. Executive Director Megan McClellan also announced March’s volunteer of the month, Tony Pawlicki. McClellan has been uploading data to Bloomerang, …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams and Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation are hosting a spring interpretive hike from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2. The free, family-friendly event will take place on WACF’s Education Center property, 11586 SR 13, one mile south of Syracuse. The hike will be led by Dr. …read more.

SYRACUSE — Put on your walking shoes or hiking attire and join Dr. Nate Bosch and Heather Harwood for the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s spring interpretive hike. The event will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 2, on WACF’s trails at the Levinson-LaBrosse Education Center, 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse. Bosch, director of the …read more.

Video courtesy WACF SYRACUSE — After a full 20 years of negotiations with the property owner, Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation has acquired what is arguably their most important property. This area (across from Runaway Bay) filters approximately 43 percent of water flowing into Lake Wawasee. The “final filter” before it flows into the lake is …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Kenneth and Lela Harkless Foundation has awarded $99,300 in grants to organizations in the Syracuse community. The announcement was made by James E. Caskey, president of the foundation. Grants were awarded to the following: Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, $16,000 Teen Parents Succeeding, $16,000 Syracuse Cemetery Association, $10,000 Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation Trail Committee, $10,000 …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation invites the public to the Ruddell Pavilion at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, for the fourth annual Christmas Lights Party. The Ruddell Pavilion is located on the WACF Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Educational Center, 11586 N. SR 13, one mile south of Syracuse. There will be a roaring …read more.

SYRACUSE — Paths of people cross in various ways. For the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, crossing paths with Dr. Jerry Sweeten has resulted in a relationship and opportunity to gather data for future direction of the foundation. Sweeten will be overseeing a watershed ecology study for WACF. Sweeten and his team will place five sophisticated …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s third annual Falltastic Trail Walk is scheduled both days from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, and Sunday, Oct. 21. It’s a great way for adults and children to get outside and enjoy nature. The trails are located on the WACF Levinson-Labrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center, 11586 …read more.

(Video courtesy Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation) SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation has announced a Wawasee watershed ecological health study, a comprehensive analysis of nutrient and sediment loads. This is a landmark study for the foundation. Since 1991, WACF has focused on improving water quality with two primary tools: acquisition of critical properties (currently more …read more.

SYRACUSE — Six new names were added Friday evening, Aug. 24, to the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Eli Lilly Lifetime Founders Society. Names added to the society’s wall are those of Dave and Susie Brandes, James and Sally Hubbard and Jay and Jane Jorgensen. Dave Brandes has been a part of the foundation for many …read more.

SYRACUSE — It’s that time of year for the annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Agricultural Watershed Tour, a part of the 2018 WACF’s education series. The tour will be at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at the Anderson Farm. The tour is hosted by Russell Anderson and his family on the land of Anderson Farms …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Wetland Adventures began this morning Wednesday, July 11, at the Ruddell Pavilion on WACF’s Levinson-LaBrosse Educational Center property, SR 13, Syracuse. The adventure will continue from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 18 and 25. Wetland Adventures is for elementary age children. Adults need to accompany the children. Activities …read more.

SYRACUSE — The temperature was in the mid-60s with bright sunshine around 9 a.m. today Saturday, July 7, for the annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Bug Catch. Close to 100 youngsters brought their parents, aunts or grandparents to the event to catch benthic macroinvertebrates and other critters found along the shoreline of the WACF property. …read more.

SYRACUSE — Temperatures in the high 80s with heat indexes in the 90s, didn’t detour over 200 people who attended “The Event” hosted by Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Friday evening, June 29. This was the foundation’s first social event with next years event already set. Guests mingled finding old friends and getting to know those …read more.

SYRACUSE — The waters of Lake Wawasee have been unusually “clear” this spring and early summer; the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation water clarity testing regularly revealed 12 to 18 feet of visibility, so the recent green “haze” in the water was especially jarring. Although an occasional algae bloom is not an uncommon sight in Lake …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation will be hosting its first ever summer social Friday, June 29. “The Event” is planned from 7 to 11 p.m. in at the Levinson-LaBrosse Educational and Wetlands Center, SR 13, Syracuse. The Event is just that, a summer social combining dinner, cocktails and live music, all in a summer …read more.

SYRACUSE — The first of Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s summer monthly Lake Talk and Eats program will be Saturday, June 2. Held at the WACF Education Center on SR 13, one mile south of Syracuse, the event will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Aaron Stump, the habitat programs coordinator at Indiana Wildlife Federation, will …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Education Center was alive was activity Saturday morning as hundreds of people from the area arrived to participate in the third annual Earth Day Festival. The tops of white tents placed throughout the front portion of the WACF property could be viewed approaching the property on SR 13. Twenty …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, SR 13, Syracuse, will host its third annual Earth Day Festival Saturday, April 21. The event, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will take place at the WACF Levinson-LaBrosse Educational Center. This year’s theme is plastics. The first 200 families attending will get a free re-usable grocery bag. It …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee received a $150,000 donation from the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation. This donation will be put toward the construction of the boardwalk and trail connecting Syracuse and the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation. Many years ago, the Lilly family was instrumental in getting Syracuse on the right path with trails. A section …read more.

WARSAW — During the regular monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday, March 13, in Warsaw, the BZA approved an oversized accessory building in a residential district for Donald and Tamara Brumett. The property is located on the north side of EMS B40A Lane, west of EMS B40 Lane in Tippecanoe …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation recently acquired the Johnson Bay East Preserve, which neighbors the Johnson Bay wetlands and the CSX Railroad to the north and Johnson Bay wetlands to the west. The acquisition took place in January. The 41-acre preserve once provided the outflow of Dillon Creek into the Johnson Bay/Wawasee wetlands and …read more.

SYRACUSE — Air quality, health hazards, quality of life concerns were just a few points noted at a Kosciusko County Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Workshop, presented by the Hoosier Environmental Council, along with the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation. The four-hour workshop was held Saturday, Dec. 9, in the Kiwanis Room at the Syracuse Community Center. …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation invites the public to join others at the Ruddell Pavilion at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, for the third annual WACF Christmas Tree Lighting Party. The pavilion is located on the WACF Education Center property, 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse, just, one mile south of Syracuse. There will be …read more.

SYRACUSE — Hoosier Environmental Council and Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation will present a Kosciusko County Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. The event will be held in the Kiwanis Room of the Syracuse Community Center, North Long Drive, Syracuse. A free light breakfast will be provided for …read more.

INDIANA — Indiana State Department of Agriculture recently launched an online story map, a one-stop shop for Indiana’s conservation efforts. This map shows the 10 different water basins throughout the state, allowing viewers of the site to click on the respective basins and learn about conservation efforts in those areas. Kosciusko County is in two …read more.

SYRACUSE — More than three miles of trails were available for exploring during the third annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Falltastic Trail Walk Saturday, Oct. 21, on the WACF property south of Syracuse just off SR 13. Two new events were added this year including geocaching and a Dog Boo contest where participants were encouraged …read more.

SYRACUSE — More than three miles of trails on Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation property, 11586 SR 13, Syracuse, will be available to explore at your own pace from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, and Sunday, Oct. 22, for the third annual WACF Falltastic Trail Walk. The three trails are carved into the 40 …read more.

By SGT. TED BOHNER Indiana State Police Bremen District Public Information Officer SYRACUSE — Two Indiana State Troopers from the Bremen Post traded in their police cars in favor of rubber rafts for a few days this week. For the past three years Trooper Kyle Dukes and Trooper Brooks Shirk have spent four days on …read more.

[weaver_youtube vI88c649QAc rel=0]   SYRACUSE — The Herdrich family is the latest name plate to be added to the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Eli Lilly Lifetime Founders Society wall, at the educational center in Syracuse. A brief recognition was held Friday evening before a social gathering of society members. Five of the six Herdrich siblings, …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — Stream bank stabilization, habitat enhancement and watershed land treatment projects in Kosciusko County have received funds from the Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Lake and River Enhancement program. The local projects were among 25 statewide projects receiving a total of $1,183,200. Chapman Lakes Foundation is working on a stream …read more.

[weaver_youtube r-w_jTSiNvc rel=0]   SYRACUSE — Recognition of three individuals who have given above and beyond of their time and talent and the announcement of preliminary plans for the Between The Lakes property were two of the highlights Saturday morning at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s annual meeting. Approximately 160 attended the annual meeting to …read more.

[weaver_youtube y5Z1d8cPjGc rel=0]   SYRACUSE — The state of the foundation was presented during the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Annual Meeting Saturday. During the close to 90-minute meeting guests heard from several board members on projects and programs. Dr. Joan Szynal, chairman of the WACF board, stated WACF is “all about clean water. So everything …read more.

[weaver_youtube fMK7SA6rB6U rel=]   SYRACUSE — Approximately 40 youngsters, accompanied by adults, participated in the first of four Wetland Adventures at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, SR 13, Syracuse, Thursday morning, July 6. Those participating today learned about the watershed by creating a lake and a watershed. Pam Schumm, WACF board member, used a variety …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation is offering special programs every Thursday morning in July for kids accompanied by a parent or adult. Learn about nature and the watershed with four activities each week including a canoe scavenger hunt (bring your own life jacket). The events will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at …read more.

[weaver_youtube Xz8u_9GsnB4 rel=0]   SYRACUSE — The largest group ever participated in the 2017 Bug Catch Saturday morning at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation. It’s estimated close to 125 adults and children participated this year having fun on the shore of Lake Wawasee and catching bugs. The annual bug catch is part of the educational …read more.

SYRACUSE — All you have to do is look at their faces and see their enthusiasm to know this event is one that is anticipated each summer by children, their parents and grandparents. The event is the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s July Lake Talk and Eats Bug Catch. This year the event takes place from …read more.

SYRACUSE — The first of three summer Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Lake Talk & Eats took place Saturday, June 3, at the Levinson-LaBrosse Wetland and Educational Center, SR 13, Syracuse. The series kicked off with the annual native plant sale from several local nurseries/garden centers. New this year was the opportunity to speak with Indiana …read more.

SYRACUSE — It’s time for the first Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Lake Talk & Eats event of the 2017 season at the WACF Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Educational Center, 11586 N. SR 13, just south of Syracuse. A special double-header is planned for Saturday, June 3, with a native plant sale and a Department of …read more.

SYRACUSE — Families and individuals visited the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center for its first Earth Day Festival Saturday afternoon. There was fun for everyone and a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. “It was better than we expected,” stated Dave Brandes, past chairman and board member early in the …read more.

SYRACUSE — Have some fun with outdoor activities and learning about lake health during this year’s Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Earth Day Festival. The event, free of charge, will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center, one mile south of Syracuse on SR 13. …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce will be once again cleaning up SR 13 from Ace Hardware to the railroad tracks.  Volunteers interested in helping cleanup our town are asked to contact the chamber by calling (574) 457-5637 to sign up.  Cleaning up will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 21 and …read more.

SYRACUSE — An upcoming project by Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation will benefit more than Lake Wawasee. The neighbors, farmers and Wawasee Middle School will also reap the benefits. Work will soon begin to improve drainage issues between Wawasee Middle School and CR 800E, known as the Martin Creek Drainage Project. This includes drainage from the …read more.

SYRACUSE — The 2017 Wawasee Winter Carnival is back and planned to be better than ever. This year’s event will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Regardless of weather conditions, all but two events will be held. Most events will be held on Main Street, with other events taking place …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation has received a permit to construct the boardwalk across the Conklin Bay wetlands and a trail parallel to SR 13 to Grandview Drive. Notification of a permit approval for the trail was approved by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water, Friday, Dec. 30. The permit is valid …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Kenneth and Lela Harkless Foundation announces the foundation has awarded $90,000 in grants to organizations in the Syracuse community. According to James E. Caskey, foundation president, grants were awarded to the following: Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum — $13,000 Syracuse Cemetery Association — $10,000 Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation — $10,000 Syracuse Parks Department — $8,000 …read more.

SYRACUSE — The smell of burning wood in a fireplace and the path to Ruddell Pavilion lined with candelarias greeted approximately 50 guests to the Second Annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Christmas Lighting Social Friday evening, Dec. 2. The event took place at the WACF Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center, one mile south of Syracuse …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation will be hosting its second annual WACF Christmas Lighting Social at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. The event will take place at the WACF Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center, one mile south of Syracuse on SR 13.

SYRACUSE — Join others at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Levinson-LaBrosse Education Center, SR 13 one mile south of Syracuse, from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, and/or Sunday, Oct. 16, for the second annual Falltastic Trail Walk.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation helped to get students engaged in taking care of the world they live in with the second annual Bug Fest. Fourth-graders from North Webster, Syracuse and Milford schools participated in this event. The event was held at the Levinson-LaBrosse Education Center during three days.

SYRACUSE — There wasn’t a dry person or student upon the return of the first Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation watershed rafting adventure Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 7. Wednesday was the first of three days for groups of Wawasee High School freshmen to take a little more than four hours out of their normal classroom schedule to learn in a different way.

SYRACUSE — A group of Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation board members and past inductees to the Eli Lilly Lifetime Founders Society gathered at the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Education Center Friday evening, Aug. 26. The occasion was to celebrate those who have been inducted and the newest inductees – Mark and Cindy Deister, Fort Wayne.

SYRACUSE — The rain moved on and the sun came out just in time for the Wawasee Property Owners annual dinner meeting on the SS Lilly Pad Saturday evening, Aug. 20.

LAKE WAWASEE — The first Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Lilly Pad Cruise, as part of its annual summer Lake Talk and Eats appears to have been a success with a boat full of people of all ages participating. The cruise combined lake history with the ecology of the lake through WACF programs and research by the Center for Lakes & Streams.

[weaver_youtube 67n8OKHG9fY rel=0]   SYRACUSE — Close to 200 came to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Saturday morning, July 29. The event also honored two individuals for their dedication to the foundation as recipients of the annual Cattail Awards. Jerry Riffle and Rob DeBeck were this year’s recipients. Riffle …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation will hold its annual meeting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 30, at the WACF Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Education Center on S.R. 13 one mile south of Syracuse. The meeting will be a celebration of WACF’s 25 years of protecting the wetlands. A brunch buffet will be served. Everyone is invited to …read more.

SYRACUSE — The annual meeting of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation will be a very special meeting this year. The meeting will be a celebration of WACF’s 25 years of protecting the wetlands.

[weaver_youtube XZdpXq6Tgmw rel=0]   SYRACUSE — If you missed this morning’s Wetland Adventures For Kids at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, there are three more weeks to come with each having an adventure while learning about wetlands. Each week the activities are different, but all include a scavenger hunt by canoe. Approximately 14 kids, along …read more.

[weaver_youtube bXrFAFCKIGY rel=0]   SYRACUSE — The weather was perfect for the annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Bug Catch on Saturday morning, July 2. Kids of all ages gathered at the Ruddell Pavilion on the WACF Levinson-LaBrosse Educational Center property. This year was unique as over 95 percent of the participants were new to the …read more.

SYRACUSE — The annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s July Lake Talk and Eats features the annual bug catch. Now in its fourth year, this year’s event will be held from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, July 2, at the Levinson-Labrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center, 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse. Nancy Brown, a certified Hoosier Water Trainer …read more.

[weaver_youtube mBBLSkUTVeM rel=0]   SYRACUSE — The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation purchased what has been known as the Searfoss Family Homestead in February; it is now known as WACF Between-The-Lakes. And while plans for the property are “still in the planning stages,” the first step in reutilization of the property took place Wednesday afternoon. Dan …read more.

[weaver_youtube 7Vn4tKho_Vo rel=0]   SYRACUSE — The Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, celebrating its 25th year, has created a video telling its story and its dedication to preserving clean water in the Wawasee area watershed. Viewers can follow the flow of the water through the lakes and wetlands in this watershed. Additionally the video  promotes understanding …read more.

SYRACUSE — The hosting of the 33rd Annual Wawasee E-Scow Open Regatta on Lake Wawasee, June 4-5, was the perfect time to try out a registered drone. Ryan Nell and Jeff Herdrich, race enthusiasts and lake residents, were following the regatta in a pontoon and used one of their drones to video the event.

SYRACUSE — Native plants and creating a rain garden were topics of the annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Lake Talk and Eats Saturday, June 4. This annual event, held the first Saturday of each month June through August, provides educational information relating to water quality protection.

SYRACUSE — The annual Lake Talk and Eats, hosted by the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, will kick off its 2016 season Saturday, June 4. Held the first Saturday of June, July and August, the educational programs are offered from 9 to 11 a.m. at Ruddell Pavilion at the WACF Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center, …read more.

MERRILLVILLE — To commemorate Earth Day, NIPSCO has awarded 14 grants totaling $50,000 through a new environmental grant to support local nonprofit organizations with environmental initiatives. The goal of NIPSCO’s Environmental Action Grant is to provide funding for restoration and education projects throughout northern Indiana. “We received nearly 50 applications, all with very worthwhile projects …read more.

SYRACUSE — Celebrate Earth Day with the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Friday, April 22. The theme this year is “Trees For The Earth.” A short program will begin at 5 p.m. followed by a tree seedling planting and then a guided nature walk on the wetlands and wooded trails on the property. The event will …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Park Board learned the gazebo in Lakeside Park will have a new roof installed this week during its regular monthly meeting Monday night, April 11. The metal roof will be the same as the roof on the new pavilion. Starting next week, concrete work will begin in front of the Syracuse Community …read more.