Field Notes

The Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams is eager to welcome Joel Petrie to the team. In his new role of research technician, he will be responsible for collecting data, guiding college interns, and maintaining stream sensors placed around Kosciusko County.

“During his internship at the Lilly Center as an environmental studies student, Joel honed his fieldwork abilities and grew a deeper understanding of data collection,” said Dr. Nate Bosch, Creighton Brothers endowed director of the Lilly Center. “His passion for aquatic research is evident in the quality work he’s done, and we’re excited to see how much more he’ll contribute to the Lilly Center in this new role.”

Joel attended Grace College for three years where he received his bachelor’s in science with a focus on environmental studies. While at Grace, he also balanced his time as a Lilly Center intern, working on the field research team and eventually becoming the team lead. As an intern, Joel practiced ethical data collection and showed excellent supervising skills that will serve him well in his new position.

“I’m excited to have Joel step into the research technician role,” said Matt Burlingame, assistant director of research at the Lilly Center. “Joel has been a leader on the field team since he started, and he quickly became a knowledgeable and reliable part of the crew. His experience in the field, familiarity with our stream sensor network, and work ethic make him a perfect fit for the research team!”

By collecting weekly water samples and monitoring lakes and streams, the Lilly Center ensures that Kosciusko County’s lakes and streams are clean, healthy, safe, and beautiful for generations to come. 

The Lilly Center is committed to gathering essential, high-quality data on Kosciusko County waterways to help protect our natural resources and keep community members safe on the water.