Lake Doctor | A Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams Podcast

Meet Indiana's Turtle Expert: DNR Herpetologist Nate Engbrecht

In the final episode of season two of the Lake Doctor Podcast, Indiana DNR Herpetologist Nate Engbrecht takes a fascinating deep dive into the world of turtles. We discuss everything from common painted and snapping turtles to rare species like Blanding’s, spotted, and even an unexpected alligator snapping turtle documented in Kosciusko County. Nate shares insights on critical spring breeding grounds, how turtles can survive winter under ice, the challenges of habitat loss and nest predation, and why most turtles may not make great pets. The conversation also covers proper handling if you find a turtle on the road, reporting rare sightings to help conservation efforts, and the important role forested wetlands and natural shorelines play in supporting turtle populations. Packed with practical advice, fun childhood stories, and turtle shell show-and-tell, this episode highlights why protecting turtles and their wetland habitats is essential for healthier lakes and vibrant local ecosystems. Report a rare turtle sighting by emailing herpsurveys@dnr.in.gov  Learn more about the Lilly Center's work at https://lakes.grace.edu/. Have a question we could answer on the podcast? Send an email to lakes@grace.edu or submit a comment below. Help us improve the podcast by filling out this short survey: https://forms.gle/MzGSXHcnkEQC8T74A.

A Prescription for Healthy Lakes: A Transformational Gift to Launch Lake Rx

In Episode 22 of The Lake Doctor Podcast, we make an exciting announcement: Grace College and the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams has received a transformative grant from Lilly Endowment to launch Lake Rx — a bold new initiative to create customized “prescriptions” for improving the health of local lakes. Dr. Nate Bosch explains how Lake Rx will develop targeted, holistic solutions for individual lakes in Kosciusko County. These include constructing and restoring wetlands, incentivizing lake-friendly agricultural practices, promoting responsible boating, enhancing shoreline vegetation with native plants, and rebalancing lake ecosystems. The goal is to speed up lake recovery from decades of nutrient pollution and make measurable, visible improvements in water clarity and quality in tens of years rather than hundreds of years. Nate and Suzie discuss the inspiration behind the program (including a memorable visit to ultra-clear Crater Lake), the importance of collaboration with community partners, and why sustained funding and community support will be critical for long-term success. This episode marks a major milestone for lake stewardship in northern Indiana. To stay up-to-date on the latest Lake Rx news, sign up for the Lilly Center's monthly newsletter at: https://forms.aweber.com/form/83/118972383.htm [https://forms.aweber.com/form/83/118972383.htm]. Support the Lilly Center's work: https://lakes.grace.edu/ways-to-give/ [https://lakes.grace.edu/ways-to-give/] Learn more about the Lilly Center's work at https://lakes.grace.edu/. Have a question we could answer on the podcast? Send an email to lakes@grace.edu or submit a comment below. Help us improve the podcast by filling out this short survey: https://forms.gle/MzGSXHcnkEQC8T74A.

Floating Trees and Ephemeral Wetlands with Jason Kissel

In Episode 21 of The Lake Doctor Podcast, Jason Kissel, Executive Director of ACRES Land Trust, joins us for a fascinating conversation about forested wetlands and ephemeral wetlands. Jason's lifelong passion for trees was sparked at age five while standing on a mountaintop with his U.S. Forest Service father. Jason also shares why northeast Indiana is special as a crossroads of prairie, forest, wetland, and boreal systems. The discussion dives into forested wetlands—places where trees thrive in seasonally flooded soils—along with rare bogs like Glenwood Bog, where trees grow atop floating sphagnum mats. Jason describes ephemeral (temporary) pools that appear briefly each spring, serving as critical breeding grounds for amphibians like spring peepers because they lack predators. He also covers ACRES Land Trust’s work protecting nearly 9,000 acres, restoring wetlands, managing invasives, and using mitigation projects to create larger, connected natural areas. Practical and inspiring, this episode highlights how protecting trees and wetlands improves water quality, supports biodiversity, and benefits the lakes and streams we all enjoy in Kosciusko County and beyond. Learn more about the Lilly Center's work at https://lakes.grace.edu/. Have a question we could answer on the podcast? Send an email to lakes@grace.edu or submit a comment below. Help us improve the podcast by filling out this short survey: https://forms.gle/MzGSXHcnkEQC8T74A.

Wild About Wetlands: Nature's Amazing Water Filters

In Episode 20 of The Lake Doctor Podcast, hosts Suzie Light and Dr. Nate Bosch revisit the best moments from Season 2 episodes about wetlands. They explore how wetlands act as nature’s kidneys—filtering nutrients, reducing floodwaters, and protecting lakes from pollution—while explaining the differences between marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens. Featuring insights from Landon Vine, Nathan Herbert, Nate Simons, Jacob Macke, and Stephen Jacquemin, the episode shows how restored wetlands filter significant amounts of water and help reduce harmful algal blooms. Nate and Suzie connect these ideas to Kosciusko County and the new Lake Rx program, highlighting why protecting and restoring wetlands is key to cleaner, healthier lakes. There will be some really big news about Lake Rx in the coming weeks, so make sure you're subscribed. You won't want to miss this announcement! Check out the full conversations featured in this episode below: 02:31 - Ep. 10 - How to Eat Like a Wetland [https://lakes.grace.edu/how-to-eat-like-a-wetland-with-landon-vine/] with Landon Vine, V3 Consulting 05:31 - Ep. 18 - Quaking Bogs & Old Forests: Extraordinary Ecosystems [https://lakes.grace.edu/s2-e18-quaking-bogs-old-forests-extraordinary-ecosystems-with-nathan-herbert/] with Nathan Herbert, The Nature Conservancy  08:07 - Ep. 4 - Why a Controlled Wildfire is Important for our Lakes [https://lakes.grace.edu/s2-e4-why-a-controlled-wildfire-is-important-for-our-lakes-with-nate-simons/] with Nate Simons, Blue Heron Ministries 14:53 - Ep. 17 - How Wetlands Help Lakes Recover [https://lakes.grace.edu/s2-e17-how-wetlands-help-lakes-recover-with-stephen-jacquemin/] with Dr. Stephen Jacquemin, Wright State University 19:12 - Ep. 19 - Why Choose Native Plants for Your Lake Property [https://lakes.grace.edu/s2-e19-why-choose-native-plants-for-your-lake-property-with-jacob-macke/] with Jacob Macke, Chapman Lake Nursery 22:38 - Ep. 14 - How to Improve Lake Health Using a Holistic Approach [https://lakes.grace.edu/how-to-improve-lake-health-using-a-holistic-approach/] Learn more about the Lilly Center's work at https://lakes.grace.edu/. Have a question we could answer on the podcast? Send an email to lakes@grace.edu or submit a comment below. Help us improve the podcast by filling out this short survey: https://forms.gle/MzGSXHcnkEQC8T74A.

Why Choose Native Plants for Your Lake Property with Jacob Macke

In Episode 19 of The Lake Doctor Podcast [https://lakes.grace.edu/s2-e19-why-choose-native-plants-for-your-lake-property-with-jacob-macke/], we welcome Jacob Macke, owner of Chapman Lake Nursery and a passionate engineer-turned-native plant grower. Jacob shares his inspiring journey—after erosion threatened his new Chapman Lake home during windy storms, he discovered native plants' deep roots for shoreline stabilization. Starting with milkweed during the 2020 COVID summer, his family raised and released over 50 monarch butterflies—sparking a deep dive into native gardening. He explains key benefits: native plants like swamp rose mallow, showy tick trefoil, and butterfly weed thrive in Indiana's soils, filter nutrients from runoff, support pollinators and wildlife, and prevent monocultures when mixed with grasses. Jacob contrasts true natives (like butterfly weed) with non-native invasives (like butterfly bush), offers tips on establishment, rabbit protection, and seed collecting, and highlights his local sales, events, and upcoming workshops at the Lilly Center. Tune in for an uplifting story of how one homeowner’s fix can serve as a blueprint for healthy lakes and thriving wildlife across Indiana. Learn more about the Lilly Center's work at https://lakes.grace.edu/. Have a question we could answer on the podcast? Send an email to lakes@grace.edu or submit a comment below. Help us improve the podcast by filling out this short survey: https://forms.gle/MzGSXHcnkEQC8T74A.