Rob DeBeck, WACF volunteer and board member, shows Quin Bear and Jackson Bear a simulation of chemical runoff on soil, depending on coverages. Dye was put in water to resemble chemicals.

Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — While the sun stayed hidden under clouds, and a few rain drops fell, all ages gathered at the annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Earth Day Festival today, Saturday, May 6. Those who came to the festival experienced some fun, food and left with a vast amount of knowledge, information and memorabilia of their adventures.

Tote bags were given to each person attending, which came in handy to place the various types of informational literature, pens, milkweed seed balls, worm bins, pencil holders and more that were available to take home with you at the various booths.

Joyce Corson, Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club, makes up a seed ball for Kim Goudey to take with her.

Guests could see Kosciusko in a box, provided by Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation district; learn what is invasive or not when it comes to plans with the Clean Water Partnership.

You could create a worm composting container with the Kosciusko County Recycling Center or take a Monarch Challenge with Chautauqua-Wawasee. There was an opportunity to decorate your own small pouch/bag to hold pencils or other items and take home planted seeds to draw monarch butterflies to your home.

If you wanted to learn more about geocaching, the Northern Indiana Geocachers were on hand to share information and the Tippecanoe Audubon Society provided information about its organization. You could check out the trails currently available and what is planned around Syracuse and Wawasee with the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee.

The Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club provided fun with seeds and the ability to make a seed ball. Or chase butterflies with the Syracuse Lions Club who provided paper butterflies on a stick.

WACF volunteers were on hand to talk about the watershed and lakes with a hands on demonstration about the changing topography.

David Broerman paints a landscape during the festival. Broerman will be at the plain air event hosted by Chautauqua-Wawasee next year.

All ages enjoyed the game provided by The Elkhart River Restoration on bird migration. Here guests could become a bird and follow its migration and the obstacles encountered. Volunteers with the Syracuse Public Library were on hand to share information on the value of native trees.

Landscape artist David Broerman was on hand with various landscape paintings available for purchase, or you could watch him as he created his newest piece of art. You could also see flint napping and bead work by Jeff Mesaros and Angie Butler. Jeff Moore and Duane Turnock were also on hand displaying their wood carving and fish spearing lures. These were available for purchase.

Free hot dogs, chips and water were available for guests, provided by the WACF.

If you missed this year’s event, make sure to watch for information on next year’s festival. It’s fun and educational for all ages.