Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Lake education and information is the goal May 15 when two dozen exhibits and hands-on demonstrations will be displayed by state officials and area lake associations.
The second annual Lake Learning Expo will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Chapman Lakes Clubhouse (intersection of CRs 325E and 300N) and an attached exhibit tent.
There is no charge for admission and there will be free coffee, juice and sweets for the public.
Sponsored by the Chapman Lakes Conservation Association Inc., the noncommercial event is the only one of its kind in Indiana and has increased to more than double the number of exhibits at last year's event. Members of the public are encouraged to target their visit to specific public agencies or lake associations that will be present if they have specific questions. The compressed time is intended to concentrate information so visitors have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the day in other activities.
While the exposition is directed primarily toward adults and lake property owners, six demonstration events increase the emphasis on a learning experience for children of all ages.
"There is something of interest to all, whether or not they live at a lake," said CLCA vice president and this year's show manager, Emily Cowan.
This year, lake associations from nearby lakes will offer information on their projects and activities. Representatives will be available to answer questions.
The Indiana Lakes Management Society will have an exhibit. It is loaded with useful information for lake property owners. CLCA has prepared more than 20 special hand-outs for the event.
Other additions this year include a hands-on aquatic plant identification exhibit staffed by Marianne Giolitto, biologist from J.F. New and Associates. Visitors will be able to view and handle plant specimens gathered from lakes the day of the event. A lake soil demonstration tank will focus on rapid aquatic plant growth, bait and casting demonstrations presented by the Chapman Lakes Marina, and free hourly tours of a typical watershed improvement project, weather permitting, will be conducted for those who sign up.
The new demonstration exhibits join the informational displays from last year regarding the use of phosphorus-free fertilizers and the very popular "Lakes Alive" lake water microscope exhibit. There also will be a special table of lake-oriented items for children.
An important feature of the expo is the opportunity for members of the public to talk one-on-one with officials from various divisions of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Indiana Department of Environmental Management and with lake association representatives about lake issues.
Confirmed exhibits thus far this year are:
• Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Division of Enforcement, represented by Lt. John Sullivan; Division of Fish and Wildlife, represented by fisheries biologists Jed Pearson and Brad Fink; Division of Soil Conservation, represented by James K. Ray and Lisa Bales, who will discuss the Indiana Storm Drain Marking Project; Division of Water, represented by Dale A. Gick, PE, section head, project development section, and David P. Nance, PG, engineering geologist, Indianapolis; and Indiana Department of Environmental Management, represented by Laura Biebrich, Office of Water Management, Indianapolis.
• Kosciusko Soil and Water Conservation District - Sam St.Clair, NRCS district conservationist; Julie Harrold, IDNR resource specialist; Darci Zolman, SWCD program administrator.
• Lakes associations including members of the Barbee Lakes Association, Chapman Lakes Conservation Association, Chapman Lakes Foundation, Indiana Lake Management Society, Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Association, Tippecanoe Environmental Lake and Watershed Foundation and the Silver Lake Association.
• Commercial participants include: Aquatic Weed Control Inc., Syracuse, represented by Jim Donahoe, owner; J.F. New and Associates Inc., Walkerton, represented by John Richardson, senior project manager; and Weed Patrol Inc., Elkhart, represented by Tony Cunningham, owner.
• Bait casting demonstrations and fishing advice are sponsored by Chapman Lakes Marina. Check at the special marina exhibit table for times.
• "Lakes Alive" microscope lake water exhibit will be presented by CLCA members Howard Woodward Jr. and Emmalee Kelly. Visitors can view lake water samples gathered the day of the event through dissecting microscopes.
• "No-Phos" lawn and garden care using phosphorus-free fertilizers. Information and where to buy locally.
• "Living Lake" soil/aquatic plant demonstration. An aquarium and photos illustrating how rapidly a seemingly barren lake bottom will produce thriving aquatic plants.
Watershed project tours will be conducted by J.F. New & Associates' John Richardson and lake association board members. The first tour is 9:15 a.m., then leaving every hour at one-quarter after the hour. The last tour leaves at 12:15 p.m. Wear good walking or hiking shoes. Participants will tour the nearby Arrowhead Drain reconstruction project, within walking distance of the CLCA clubhouse, to view various methods used by area associations and foundations to help solve watershed drain sediment pollution.
For more information, call Dan Lee, 269-7572, or Emily Cowan, 269 6061.
On the Net: www.chapmanlake.com
