WINONA LAKE – Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams was honored during The Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence Wednesday.
The award went to six recipients statewide who were honored for extraordinary initiatives in protecting the environment.
Dr. Nate Bosch, director of the center, and Caitlin Yoder, education coordinator at the center, attended the ceremony.
“I am pleased to award this year’s Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence,” said Bruno Pigott, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). “These Awards recognize Indiana’s leaders who have implemented the most innovative, sustainable and exemplary programs or projects.”
Commissioner Pigott and Rebecca Holwerda, senior operations director for Governor Eric Holcomb, presented the awards during the 22nd annual Pollution Prevention Conference and Tradeshow held at the Marriott North in Indianapolis.
The Lilly Center won the Environmental Outreach/Education award for its innovative, original K-12 programming. The Lilly Center’s programs (Classroom Lake Experience, Lake Adventure Day, Aquatic Petting Zoo and the Lakes and Streams Art Contest) put an emphasis on supplementing and complementing local educators’ curricula, are aligned with state educational standards, and have been proven to increase participants’ understanding of their role in protecting these resources.
Each program has widespread support from local school corporations, businesses and other organizations, and intends to raise a generation of citizens that are water-literate and creation-conscious.
“We’re honored to have been chosen for this award,” said Dr. Nate Bosch, director of the Lilly Center. “What a privilege to bring innovative, place-based learning to over 7,700 students throughout Kosciusko County last year alone!”
Also honored during the event were:
• Cummins Incorporated, Columbus, Bartholomew County, for “Cummins Virtual Power Purchase Agreement.”
• City of Bloomington, Monroe County, for “Sustainability Planning and Implementation.”
• Jennings County Pollinator Committee, North Vernon, Jennings County, for “Share Some Space.”
• Helmer Scientific, Noblesville, Hamilton County, for “Gen 4 Project.”
• City of Greendale, Dearborn County, for “Curbside Recycling Program.”
The Lilly Center specifically thanks city of Warsaw Stormwater Utility, Dekko Foundation, Grace College School of Education and Zimmer Biomet for their crucial support.
To learn more about the Lilly Center’s K-12 programs visit lakes.grace.edu/education or call Caitlin Yoder at 574-372-5100, ext. 6453.
