The property at 5814 E. Pickwick Drive was recently purchased by the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation. (Photo by Chelsea Los)

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the Wawasee area watershed for present and future generations.

Water quality protection and improvement is an important consideration with regard to all WACF activities, but such protection and improvement may take many forms including land acquisition and preservation, erosion control and drainage water impoundment, shoreline enhancement, educational tours and community access opportunities to name a few. WACF has recently acquired the waterfront property located east of the main channel between Wawasee and Syracuse lakes and north of Pickwick Road; the former Searfoss family homestead. This property will be known as “WACF Between-the-Lakes.”

“WACF Between-the-Lakes” is approximately seven acres with nearly 1,600 feet of water frontage adjoining the crucial Mud Lake wetlands. WACF already owns the substantial “Buck Island” property on the north side of Mud Lake and smaller properties on the east side of Mud Lake. This acquisition furthers the environmental protection afforded to this unique wetlands and habitat area. Over time, WACF anticipates “WACF Between-the-Lakes” will offer several watershed improvement and community education opportunities including wetlands and prairie restoration, shoreline enhancement, ecological demonstration, canoe/ kayak wetlands tours and short trail community access.