KWWIP volunteers Stan Moore, Derrick Levoine, Tracy Gilliland and Dugan Julian (not pictured) and KCV Chair Jacob Moore digging holes and setting concrete for the cleaning stations and informational signs. Photo provided by Caitlyn Yoder

News Release

WARSAW — Kosciusko Water and Woodland Invasive Partnership (KWWIP) and the bicycling club, Kosciusko County Velo (KCV) have partnered to protect the woods and riparian areas of the Winona Lake Trails. 

KWWIP is partnering with individuals and organizations throughout the community to manage both terrestrial and aquatic invasive species in Kosciusko County. In March, the two co-hosted a Weed Wrangle^Ⓡ Indiana event, and now they’ve installed boot and tire cleaning stations at the three major trailheads.  

A grant from the Arrowhead RC&D group to KWWIP allowed them to purchase the cleaning stations and signs.

Volunteers installed them alongside informational signs about the most common invasive species found in the Winona Lake Trails.  The cleaning stations are designed to help remove invasive species seeds that can be trapped in the treads of shoes, boots and tires. Visitors to the Trails are encouraged to vigorously scrub their footwear and tire treads before and after entering the trails. This simple action can prevent bringing more invasive species into and out of the Winona Lake Trails.  The informational signs teach visitors how to identify various invasive species, as well as highlighting their negative impacts on our natural areas.

Community partnerships like this are critical in the preservation of natural areas in our community. Sharing knowledge, tools, expertise, and volunteers allows separate groups to enhance their impact together. For more information on efforts at the Winona Lake Trails, visit www.winonalaketrails.com, www.kcvcycling.org, and kwwip.org. 

For information on future events or invasive species management, contact Dugan Julian at [email protected] or (574) 527-0781