Thank you to everyone that attended the 37th Annual Indiana Lakes Management Conference on March 26th and 27th at the Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, IN.  One of the highlights of the conference is handing out our annual awards. 

Therese Shiffler received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Therese has led an intensive, multi-year water-quality monitoring program on Little Long Lake, collecting weekly samples across six sites and generating foundational nutrient and algal data. She also leads Clean Lakes monitoring, serves on multiple watershed boards, and fosters collaboration across state lines. Her leadership in hosting a tri-state Field Day and commitment to shoreline restoration reflect extraordinary volunteer dedication and measurable impact on regional water stewardship. Thank you, Therese! 

The Outstanding Project Award went to the 2025 Inland Lake Field Day at Little Long Lake united 51 tri-state participants to advance watershed stewardship in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Through hands-on demonstrations, expert presentations, and interactive learning, the event translated science into practical action. By connecting residents with monitoring programs and agency partners, the initiative strengthened cross-state collaboration, expanded local monitoring capacity, and modeled a replicable, community-driven approach to protecting inland lakes. Great job! 

The Lake Lemon Conservancy District received the Outstanding Lake Association Award for their efforts to reclaim over 100 acres of lake surface and removed nearly 500,000 cubic yards of sediment through strategic dredging investments. Complementing sediment management with shoreline stabilization, invasive species control, and weekly water-quality monitoring, LLCD delivers measurable ecological and recreational benefits. Its innovative plan to convert dredged material into a 17-acre engineered wetland exemplifies forward-thinking, sustainable lake stewardship. Thank you!