Oakwood Resort in Syracuse is once again hosting the Indiana Lakes Management Conference. Around 120 people are participating in this annual event which is in its 28th year. Attendees have come from around the state to collaborate and discuss environmental management and to further educate themselves on lake conservancy and protection.

Several speakers from various organizations have been making presentations at the conference. According to Heather Harwood, executive director of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, those in attendance come from various organizations and interests, including non-profit lake associations, engineering and environmental firms, parks districts as well as companies focused on lake management such as the eradication of invasive species and control of aquatic vegetation.

Harwood added that representatives from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, United States Department of Agriculture, United States Geological Survey and some environmental scientists also are some of the convention’s attendees. Several students from Grace College and Indiana University’s SPEA program also are part of the group.

“Some of the topics our speakers are covering include lake sewer projects, the protection of water quality from things such as e-coli, phosphorus and algae issues, agricultural practices to improve runoff issues and protection from invasive species in the lakes.”

For Harwood, this is her 17th consecutive year of attending the conference. The event also includes numerous vendors and a silent auction benefiting academic scholarships for students entering aquatic related fields of study.

Kevin Smith is in attendance along with a couple of his colleagues from the Webster Lake Conservation Association. Smith said he is attending the conference, “to learn more about protecting the lakes and meet people with similar likes and concerns.”

The conference, which is being put on by the Indiana Lakes Management Society, began on Thursday, March 5, and concludes on Friday afternoon.