Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams

06/12/2026

Don't let time swim away from you!

The first Critter Encounter of the summer is tomorrow! This event will feature self-led stations with fish-themed crafts and activities, so you can move at the pace that suits your family! Prepare for a morning of fun and expect to come away with a greater appreciation for our native fish!

This event is underwritten by City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility, DePuy Synthes, and Zimmer Biomet Foundation.

Check out our website to register for this event or learn more!

06/11/2026

Open position available!

The Lilly Center is looking for someone passionate about on-the-ground environmental stewardship who has experience managing projects, including financial tracking and working with grants. If this sounds like you, the new Lake Rx program manager position may be the perfect opportunity to create a lasting impact in the community!

Check out our website to apply or learn more about the Lake Rx program manager at:
https://lakes.grace.edu/get-involved/workwithus/

06/10/2026

Thanks to Shari for visiting and for this fun BANTER column! You're welcome back anytime, Shari!

By Shari Benyouski Guest Columnist Column Note: Diners and Dives and BANTER are semi-regular columns written by Guest Columnist Shari Benyousky of the Purdue Fort Wayne English Department. BANTER recently stopped by the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams on the Grace College campus, expecting a quie...

06/10/2026

We only have two spots left for the Native Freshwater Mussels Workshop!

This event will begin with an informative presentation about the mollusks then shift towards hands-on field work. Participants can apply what they've learned in a local stream.

Check out our website to register for the last two spots or to learn more about the event!

06/09/2026

Why wait until after college to gain valuable career experience?

During the summer, over a dozen students remain at the Lilly Center to work full time. Without their valuable contributions, we'd be unable to keep making strives in our research, education, and collaboration around the community. We are so grateful for the time and energy they put into each job, whether that's cleaning aquariums, sampling lakes, testing samples for toxin, or creating content for the public. Keep up the great work!

Interested in supporting our students? Check out our website to learn more!

06/07/2026

You're never too old to splash in the creek!

Spots for our Native Freshwater Mussel workshop on Saturday, June 13 are filling up fast! This event is perfect for anyone who enjoys exploring the outdoors and learning about local animals. We'd love to see you there!

This event is underwritten by City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility, DePuy Synthes, and Zimmer Biomet Foundation.

Visit our website to learn more about this event or RSVP!

06/05/2026

Story time starts next week!

Join us June 10 for the first Stories & STEM event that is taking place at the Warsaw Community Public Library. Participants will get to hear a book read aloud and have a chance to win their own copy, as well as engage in hands-on science activities! This event is held in partnership with the library.

There is no RSVP necessary for this event, but check out our website for more details!

06/04/2026

Josué's work may be microscopic, but his impact at the Lilly Center is not!

Josué has worked on the Lilly Center's algae lab research team for the past two years while he's been at Grace College. His favorite memory was helping out with the Creek Dinner that is hosted every summer in Cherry Creek because of its uniqueness and the opportunity to interact with guests. He's enjoyed the authentic Christian working environment at the Lilly Center and hopes to carry that positive experience into his future career.

Although he plans to resume working for the Lilly Center in the fall, his summer work ends this week as he heads to upstate New York for a unique counseling internship. We are so thankful for the calm demeanor and quiet humor that he brings to the team and will miss him while he's gone! Good luck, Josué!

Visit our website to learn more about the blue-green algae research the Lilly Center is doing.

06/03/2026

Sometimes the best learning takes place outside the classroom!

We recently ended another successful year of outdoor education field trips with local schools! These field trips aim to develop water literacy in the children who will eventually lead our community through fun, hands-on activities and meaningful lessons tailored for each grade level. We believe students will come away with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for local water resources, as well as practical ways to care for them on their own.

Oftentimes this means having classes visit the Lilly Center, but sometimes we explore ecosystems closer to the school — such as a recent collaboration with Leesburg Elementary where students had an opportunity to examine wetlands just outside their door.

Visit our website to learn more about the education programs at the Lilly Center!

06/02/2026

It's time for a scapeover!

The Lilly Center's aquarium team recently converted Wawasee Boat Company's approximately 200 gallon fish tank from a conventional aquarium to a natural one with live plants and substrate. Over the summer, the team plans to switch a majority of its standard 40 gallon tanks to natural before they are returned to classrooms for the school year. Natural tanks offer a wider range of teaching opportunities in schools due to the way they mimic a lake's ecology.

We are so grateful to Wawasee Boat Co. for presenting this unique, but beneficial challenge to the team. The valuable experience they gained while rescaping the tank is sure to improve the natural aquariums that will go out to the schools this fall!

Visit our website to learn more about our Classroom Lake Experience!