Welcoming Emily

Last year, an endowment was established in honor of long-time LMEF volunteer Allen Chesser. This fund will – in perpetuity – provide for a summer intern to assist LMEF in our work.

This year’s intern is Emily Heim. I’ll let her introduce herself! — Adam Thada —

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My name is Emily Heim, and I am a junior at Purdue University studying Aquatic Sciences with a concentration in Marine and Freshwater Biology. However, I have a specific passion for teaching young children about the importance of the environment. In my free time, I love hanging out with friends, fishing, running, swimming, and occasionally reading books.  

I am a lifelong Culver resident who grew up exploring the Indian trails, going tubing on Lake Maxinkuckee with childhood friends, and running along the shores of Lake Max. This town and this lake hold so many fond memories for me and I am grateful to have grown up in this town. This makes the opportunity to work with the LMEF this summer even more fulfilling as I have the opportunity to do outreach events and serve my community which has given me so much and shaped me into the person I am today. 

Some exciting projects that I will be undertaking this summer include working weekly with the Culver Youth Club and teaching the gardening club. The kids are currently growing numerous vegetables and flowers in the raised beds as well as monitoring our pollinator waystation garden at the Culver Elementary School. Other projects include creating a conservation audio bike ride around Lake Max, conducting water sampling of the streams and lake, as well as outreach events at Lakefest and the Farmer’s Market. LMEF is also partnering with the Culver Public Library throughout July to celebrate Lake Appreciation Month by hosting environmental-related story time and craft every Thursday at 10:30 am. 

 I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to spend the summer with the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund expanding my knowledge and building upon my skills out in the field. I look forward to meeting all of the LMEF supporters and volunteers throughout this summer at our numerous outreach events!