KLA Cadets Visit Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation
KLA Cadets Visit Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation
Posted
Staff Report-
KLA Cadets Visit Wawasee Area Conservancy FoundationKosciusko Leadership Academy (KLA) students visited the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation (WACF) Tuesday for an in-depth look at Kosciusko County’s greatest natural assets.
According to a 2016 economic impact study done by the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams, $313 million is brought in annually by the more than 100 lakes and over 600 miles of streams in Kosciusko County. This is not surprising, given that there is over $3 billion of real estate within 500 feet of the 41 largest lakes in the county, according to a news release from KLA.
Lilly Center Director Dr. Nate Bosch explained in Tuesday’s session his organization’s strategy of protecting the future of the county’s water systems through research, education and collaboration. The Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams works to maximize the county’s lakes’s potential through lake sampling and studies, K-12 programming, events such as the Lakes Festival and working with companies to facilitate large-scale change.
WACF, in its 27th year, encourages others to be good stewards of water resources. Its 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 plans to open a new amphitheater soon.
The next KLA session will cover agriculture in Kosciusko County at Maple Leaf Farms on Sept. 25.
Since 1982, the Kosciusko Leadership Academy has invested in the emerging leaders of the community – people who possess a passion to serve and the courage to lead others. KLA conducts sessions each year that give students access to the frontline issues in the community. KLA's vision is to develop innovative leaders equipped to tackle the future challenges of the community, the release states.
For more information about KLA, visit kosciuskoleadership.org
