The public is invited to the Levinson-LaBrosse Education Center for the first Falltastic Trail Walk, sponsored by the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation will sponsor the first Falltastic Trail Walk noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17 and 18, at the Levinson-LaBrosse Education Center, 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse.

The event’s main attraction is the changing colors of the leaves, but one trail will also feature fall decorations, educational placards and the occasional Halloween surprise. Refreshments will be available in the pavilion at the conclusion of the walk. Admission and refreshments are free of charge.

“We wanted to bring the public out to the trails,” explained Pam Schumm, a member of the WACF board of directors which she described as a “diverse group of individuals,” many of whom are educators.

The board chose to enhance the typical fall colors tour with educational materials describing what animals, amphibians, trees and other organisms do to prepare for winter. Visitors will also learn how the fall and winter seasons contribute to lake quality. Other materials explain how wetlands improve water quality and reduce flooding.

The trail walk follows September’s Bug Fest 2015, which treated area elementary school students to a day of educational activities dedicated to the lives of the lake’s insect populations. The students also learned about the effects of pollutants such as oil and toxic waste on the ecosystem.

Schumm hopes these will become regular events people associate with autumn. “Our goal is to teach people how to take care of the lake for future generations.”

For more information about the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation go online to www.wacf.com.

The public is invited to the Levinson-LaBrosse Education Center for the first Falltastic Trail Walk, sponsored by the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation. Along with fall colors, visitors can learn about the ecology of the lake and enjoy free refreshments.