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The Indian River Lakes Conservancy’s (IRLC’s) Celebration of the Lakes took place Sunday, August 2, at Thousand Islands Winery.

The IRLC is a land trust established in 1998 to protect and preserve the water quality, wildlife, and beauty of the Indian River Lakes area. The IRLC protects over 2,700 acres of land and maintains more than 15 miles of public trails. The Celebration of the Lakes is a cornerstone of IRLC’s annual fundraising strategy, providing vital funds that enable them to continue to serve their community, conserve critical habitats, perform trail maintenance, control invasive species, and deliver public programs, such as the Elizabeth May Duvall Nature Kid’s Camp.

Highlights of the afternoon included impact stories shared by Melanie Phillips, EMD Nature Kid’s Camp parent and volunteer, and Uriel Peguerra, Environmental Educator for the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, IRLC Project WHIRL participant, and IRLC Pioneer Scholarship winner. Melanie’s heartfelt comments about how the EMD Nature Kid’s camp has impacted her family, and Uriel’s story of how IRLC shaped his career path, and his life, were captivating to hear.

“We’re grateful that so many people showed up in spite of the weather,” said IRLC Board Chair John O’Driscoll. “Our supporters have made that commitment to us, and we’re committed, too. We’re going to keep on showing up. This event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our Celebration of the Lakes Committee, the dedicated volunteers who helped throughout the day, our sponsors, and the unwavering support of our Board of Directors.”

If you couldn’t make it to the event, please consider making a donation. Your gift allows the IRLC to provide environmental education for all ages and to increase the pace of conservation in the Indian River Lakes Region.

IRLC would like to thank our sponsors: the Elizabeth May Duvall Foundation; Cross Island Farms & The Enchanted Edible Forest; Con Tech Building; Mac’s Boat Rentals; RBC Wealth Management; Watertown Savings Bank; Adirondack Energy Products, Inc.; Art’s Jug; the Clipper Inn; Jefferson County Soil and Water; Romano Restoration and Marine Canvas; Stouts Ready Mix Ltd.; Theresa Progress Group; All Pest; FX Caprara Honda; Morristown Fuel & Building Supply Co., Inc.; and GYMO Architecture Engineering & Land.