Pictured at the signing in front, from left, are CLCA Treasurer Rick Snodgrass and CLCA President, Troy Turley. In back are Lee Heyde, and seller Jennifer Simpson.

WARSAW — On Friday, June 23 the Center Lake Conservation Association closed on the purchase of approximately 11 acres of wetlands on Center Lake. Notably, on Earth Day in April, the CLCA Board of Trustees voted to purchase the wetlands.  With a collaboration of funding from a Kosciusko County Community Foundation grant from the Frank Levinson Family Foundation Fund, the CLCA, and private donors, the mission of the CLCA to preserve the quality of water, wildlife and watershed in its surrounding area was carried out.

Wetlands perform many functions for maintaining and even improving water quality in a watershed. They are perhaps the least understood ecosystems because of their complexity, but clearly scientists understand that they are the most valuable natural land feature for providing flood control and protecting water quality by filtering out pollutants (such as excess nutrients and sediment) before water reaches an open waterway.  In addition to filtration, wetlands provide protection against shoreline erosion and can be mechanisms of groundwater recharge.  Many areas around the county have begun replacing wetlands that have been destroyed because of the realization of the value the wetlands had in protecting areas from flooding and maintaining water quality.

Wetlands raise property values by protecting for flood waters, improving water quality, providing wildlife habitat, and opportunities for recreational use, such as wildlife watching and photography.