Lyn Crighton was named the Lake Tippecanoe 2023 Distinguished Lake Citizen of the Year, Saturday, July 15, at the Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Association Annual Meeting. Photo provided by Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Association.

News Release

WARSAW — Lyn Crighton, a Lake Tippecanoe resident and executive director of The Watershed Foundation, was named the 2023 Distinguished Lake Citizen by the Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Association. The association held its annual meeting Saturday, July 15.

She received a $500 grant from LTPO to be directed to her favorite 501 C# nonprofit charity.

Ron Chambers, LTPO Lake Honoree committee member stated, “There are few folks more deserving than this year’s honoree!

“This year’s recipient is a true professional, who has been recognized statewide for environmental excellence, innovation, marketing, technical merit, and being an excellent dommunicator!”

Crighton grew up as a Lake Tippecanoe native, hydro sliding behind the boat at age 4, slalom skiing at age 10, and lifeguarding and teaching swimming lessons full-time at age 15!

Her family says “lake water is in the veins”!

That drive “continued” with the start of a business degree at Indiana University, then a switch to The School of Public and Environmental Affairs, earning a Master’s Degree in Water Resources/Environmental Science.

Next on to a position with Indiana Department of Natural Resources at the Indiana Dunes, then as lake manager in Portland, Ore., and “luckily for us back to Indiana as IDEM’s Hoosier Riverwatch Coordinator!” stated Chambers.

“All this “drive and determination” for our benefit!” he added.

“Now serving as the executive director of the Watershed Foundation, that drive and determination has had a tremendous impact on water quality on Lake Tippecanoe! Over 275 projects in the Upper Watershed have been completed, a measured 25% reduction in phosphorus and nutrient loading, and the elimination of over a billion pounds of weeds and algae!

“And that drive “continues”! If you are a “Dog, Duck, or Goose,” Lyn will tell you, you better keep your “POOP” out of the Lake!”

To be eligible for the Distinguished Lake Citizen of the Year Award, the candidate must be nominated by a member of the Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Association; they must reside full or part-time on the Lake for the last 5 years; be a member of the Association; and have made a positive impact on the Quality of Life in our Lake Environment.

The selection committee is made up of past recipients, Dan Drook, Jeff Thornburgh and Chambers.