Endowments & Special Restricted Funds
Lacawac Forest Preservation Fund
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The Lacawac Forest Preservation Fund is an endowment created to preserve the forest, protect the lake, and carry out the overall mission. The Fund was established in 1966 by Isabel and Arthur Watres (pictured right) when Lacawac Sanctuary was established. The endowment is supported by men and women committed to environmental protection and preserving the unique natural features at Lacawac. The Fund provides a continuing source of income that can be relied upon year after year. Investment income produced by each endowment gift to Lacawac is used to benefit the ongoing general operation of the preserve or may be used to fulfill a donor’s specific intent. The principal of the endowment remains intact and is prudently invested.
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Friends of the Lodge Preservation Endowment Fund
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Built in the heralded “Adirondack Great Camp” style of architecture, Watres Lodge is a priceless historic Pocono landmark and a cornerstone of Lacawac Sanctuary programming and facilities. This “first” true summer home in the Pocono Mountains is recognized on the National Historic Register and provides our region with a rich and priceless learning and cultural resource. But protecting and maintaining such a treasure is only possible with help and support from our friends, neighbors and volunteers. It is a very costly undertaking. Your donation will provide Lacawac with the help it needs to keep the Friends-of-the-Lodge Endowment Fund growing and viable. This fund provides the vital assistance Lacawac volunteers need to keep the building in good shape, historically accurate and open for public visits as well as retreat and workshop lodging for educational and non-profit groups.
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Robert Estabrook Moeller Memorial Endowment
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Dr. Robert E. Moeller, a long-time friend and supporter of the Lacawac Sanctuary passed away in late May, 2011 at the age of 62. Robert was a limnologist, a researcher who studied the structure and function of lakes and the organisms that live in them. He was always generous in giving his time to help students and colleagues with their research. Robert’s love of limnology and devotion to research led his work to be the centerpiece of his life. His breadth of understanding in limnology was impressive and ranged from aquatic botany and paleolimnology to the contemporary ecology of phytoplankton and zooplankton. His focus in more recent years was on the ecology of ultraviolet radiation and its effects on zooplankton-phytoplankton interactions.
Robert was born in Chicago in 1949 and grew up roaming the hills and fields of western Pennsylvania. He went to high school at Shadyside Academy in Fox Chapel PA and did his undergraduate work at Dartmouth College. He earned his PhD from Cornell University in Aquatic Ecology, followed by postdoctoral work in Paleolimnology at the University of Minnesota and in Aquatic Ecology at Michigan State. His career involved positions at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Lehigh University, and most recently Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Many years of his life were dedicated to work on Lake Lacawac and other lakes in the Poconos of northeastern Pennsylvania. Robert was a quiet man, reserved, and quite private. However, if one were lucky enough to spend time with him, a wry and wicked sense of humor was revealed. It came with a wonderful laugh that was absolutely worth working for. Robert preferred to work late at night; anyone who joined him then was treated to his collection of classical music and perhaps a cup of fine tea. From his earliest childhood Robert spent each day in active pursuit of knowledge. His unquenchable and wide ranging curiosity about matters from reptiles and bugs to fossils and rocketry as a child, through nature, history, music, culture, politics, literature, languages, and geography made asking him a question its own reward. It is the intention of the Robert Estabrook Moeller Memorial Fund to support promising young scholars in limnology with bright, inquisitive minds who will perpetuate this search for knowledge. Robert’s generosity extended to his establishing an endowed fund which will support Robert Estabrook Moeller Research Fellow awards to college and university students and faculty to do limnological research on Lake Lacawac and other Pocono region lakes. |
Watres Student Research Endowment
Dr. Susan S. Kilham Environmental Laboratory Support Endowment
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Lacawac welcomes students doing research for graduate degree papers or independant study courses on the natural sciences, ecology or conservation. This fund is available to assist students with housing costs while staying at Lacawac as well as some additional out of pocket expenses.
Lacawac's new environmental laboratory creates unique hands-on learning, training and research opportunities for students and faculty. Named for Dr. Susan S. Kilham, a faculty member at Drexel University and a long time user of Lacawac, the Support Fund serves as a reminder of Dr. Kilham’s commitment to the education and training of students. The fund provides much-needed equipment and supplies for the instruction of future scientists. The Fund will provide income to maintain the day to day operations of the laboratories at Lacawac as well as support the purchasing of additional equipment and supplies and maintain existing equipment.
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The Michael Jake Burkhardt Memorial Student Leadership Fund
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Michael Jacob "Jake" Burkhardt passed away on January 25, 2016 at Geisinger CMC in Scranton, following injuries sustained from an automobile accident. Born on November 16, 1996 in Honesdale, he is the son of Michael F. and Carol A. Short Burkhardt of Waymart. He graduated with honors from Western Wayne High School, class of 2015.
In high school, he was a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the FBLA, Future Business Leaders of America. His high school project received first place in the Pennsylvania State Junior Academy of Science with the research he did at Lacawac Sanctuary. Jake was currently a freshman at Keystone College where he quickly became involved in many student clubs. He was also employed part-time at Ray's Shursave in Waymart and was a member of the Prompton United Methodist Church. An active young man, Jake enjoyed hiking, campfires, listening to music and spending time with his friends. Jake will be remembered as a kind and happy person with a great smile. He always knew when someone needed help and was always there to help. |
