YOU are invited to WACF!
We are the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and our headquarters are at 11586 N SR 13 in Syracuse. We WANT to see YOU! We have adult and children’s programming from April through October open to the public, no reservations required on most programs.
Our mission is to preserve and protect the Wawasee area watershed for generations to come. One of the ways to make sure this happens is through education programs. Our programs apply to most lakes and streams, so what you learn about Wawasee and Syracuse lakes can be applied to many other lakes in our area Come join us on one or more of our educational activities. When the public flag is flying at the entrance, we have a free program you may attend! Look for a listing of our events in the calendar of activities in this publication. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and visit us online at wacf.com.
Here is our calendar of events for this year:
April 25 – Bird Walk beginning at 8 a.m. Wander our trails as you are led by a bird enthusiast who can spot the sounds and sights of our resident (and migrating) birds Bring your binoculars and wear appropriate clothing to walk our wooded wetland trails.
May 2 – Earth Day Festival from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Returning this year are the raptor birds! Enjoy over 20 different activities designed to highlight different aspects of nature! Most activities are interactive not just demonstrations. Some vendors will have unique items for sale but the rest is all FREE including a hot dog, chips and water!
June is Wetland Adventure month and we’ve changed it up a bit. June 4, 11, 18 and 25 are the dates. This year, to help celebrate our country’s 250th birthday we will be offering a FREE guided canoe/kayak tour of the wetlands at Between the Lakes. You’ll learn what the area looked like a couple hundred years ago, how it has changed, and what that change means for future generations. PLUS learn to identify native and invasive water plants. The Quinn cabin (the first cabin built on Lake Wawasee) will be open for viewing. Registration required at wacf.com and any person under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
June 6 is Native Plants – it’s a discussion about the importance of planting native and we will have plants available for purchase.
July 4- the ever-popular Bug Catch. An all-time favorite for kids of all ages. Participants learn about little critters in the water and their value to the lake quality. Then they get wet and catch ‘em! Nets are provided but feel free to bring your own.
July 16 – Fishing Derby with the DNR at Between the Lakes. Bring the kids and grandkids. Poles and bait are provided by the DNR.
August 2 – Lilly Pad Cruise is a time to relax and enjoy a cruise on the HMS Lilly Pad. Board from the Frog Tavern. Registration is required. See wacf.com for more information and registration.
Canoe trips are Friday mornings during the summer. See our webpage wacf.com for available dates and departure times. Registration is a must!
Join us as we put in at the headwaters in Knapp Lake and paddle downstream to Indian Village See wildlife, the continental divide and learn about water quality in these upper lakes of our watershed.
August 8 – Farm Tour – come ride with us through a working farm bordering our watershed to see how farming can be done with the ecology of the lake in mind. August 8 from 9:00 a.m.– 12 p.m. It’s free but pre-registration is a must at pam@wacf.com.
