Volume XCIII ~ January 2026

A Flash Of The Beacon

Welcome to A Flash of the Beacon! A quick look at what's happening at the Center for Lake Studies, highlights of current news and events, plus what's going on outside in nature.

Harbor Happenings

As we welcome the New Year, we reflect on the progress and accomplishments of 2025. Thanks to strong community partnerships, a dedicated network of volunteers, and the generosity of hundreds of donors, we have advanced the protection of the Lake Sunapee Watershed through a range of strategies aimed at creating lasting impact. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their time, expertise, and support to build this momentum, and we look forward to carrying it into the year ahead. We hope you will join us in our work!

2025 Watershed Wins

1. Record-Breaking Water Quality Monitoring



In 2025, LSPA’s water quality lab, housed at Colby-Sawyer, processed more water quality samples than ever before, thanks to motivated interns and a dedicated network of volunteers. These data provide early warning of potential concerns, build the long-term record needed to understand change over time, and support research partners working to understand the complex dynamics of the Lake Sunapee Watershed. This work reflects our commitment to rigorous science as the foundation of our work.

2. Launching the Burkehaven Fellowship

With funding from the Burkehaven Family Foundation, LSPA launched the Burkehaven Fellowship in 2025 and welcomed two inaugural fellows. Julia Danielsen focused on research examining the economic value of the watershed—particularly its importance to local town tax bases. Alyssa Spencer supported septic ordinances, septic risk mapping, and water quality data analysis. Together, they collaborated on clear, accessible outreach materials to help residents understand town ordinances, strengthening collaboration between communities and municipalities for the benefit of the watershed.

3. Septic Ordinances Now Cover the Entire Watershed

In February 2025, the Town of Newbury adopted a septic ordinance, and New London’s ordinance takes effect on January 1, 2026. With these milestones, all Lake Sunapee Watershed towns—Sunapee, Springfield, Newbury, and New London—now have septic regulations in place. This achievement reflects years of collaboration among selectboards, health officers, and engaged residents, and represents one of the most meaningful preventive steps we can take to protect water quality and public health.

4. Workshops That Translate Education into Impact

LSPA significantly expanded the number and scope of workshops offered at the Center for Lake Studies in 2025. Sessions were designed for zoning and planning board members, realtors, septic designers and installers, property managers, road agents, and homeowners: groups whose decisions directly impact water quality. These workshops connect stakeholders with current science, evolving policies, and practical tools, turning learning into informed, on-the-ground action.

5. Collaborative Progress on the Mount Sunapee Wastewater Treatment System



Community voices and collaborative leadership helped move progress forward on addressing the aging wastewater treatment lagoon at Mount Sunapee Resort. LSPA worked with the Newbury Conservation Commission, NHDES, NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Mount Sunapee Resort, and regional environmental organizations, and also hosted stakeholder roundtables to support informed dialogue. As a result, $100,000 in Clean Water State Revolving Fund support was made available for a feasibility study, an important step in the process of addressing the outdated systems. Thank you to everyone who participated.

6. Another Year Without Cyanobacteria Blooms on Lake Sunapee

Despite increasing cyanobacteria blooms across New Hampshire, Lake Sunapee remained visibly clear and safe for recreation every day of 2025. While no single year tells the whole story, this outcome reinforces the importance of proactive work, including reducing erosion, restoring shorelines, and managing runoff throughout the watershed. These efforts, many years in the making, help lower the risk of future blooms and support long-term lake health.

7. Preventing and Responding to Aquatic Invasive Species



Preventing invasive species takes persistence, people, and partnerships. In 2025, fourteen paid Lake Hosts spent more than 2,300 hours at Lake Sunapee boat ramps and conducted nearly 5,400 inspections. Over 50 LSPA Invasive Watch volunteers surveyed roughly 32 miles of shoreline by swimming, paddling, and snorkeling. When curly-leaf pondweed reappeared in a small area of George’s Mills, we were able to act quickly—bringing divers back to remove it before it spread in Lake Sunapee. We also partnered with other lake associations in the watershed, and with NHDES, to remove curly-leaf pondweed from Baptist Pond and Otter Pond. Support from LSPA members, watershed towns, NH LAKES, volunteers, and partner lake associations, made this multi-pronged defense possible.

8. Research Partnerships Advancing Lake Science



Data from our newly upgraded water-quality buoy, along with expanded monitoring, supported advanced lake modeling efforts by Virginia Tech Calhoun Fellows in 2025. These researchers are using Lake Sunapee data to develop a better understanding of algal dynamics and other complex lake processes. Through partnerships with research institutions including Virginia Tech, the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and the global GLEON network, LSPA contributed local data to broader scientific efforts, ensuring that the best available science informs our watershed management actions and that Lake Sunapee helps advance understanding beyond our watershed.

9. Restoring Land to Protect Water



In 2025, we advanced watershed projects in priority areas, including erosion reduction projects on Kidder Brook, in collaboration with Twin Lake Village, and shoreline buffer restoration efforts on Little Lake Sunapee in partnership with the Wallula Community Homeowner Association and the Little Lake Sunapee Protective Association. Volunteers planted nearly 1,400 native plants to contribute to these efforts. NH LAKES and NHDES provided a portion of the funding. These projects stabilize soils, slow stormwater runoff, and reduce the nutrient and sediment inputs that can lead to cyanobacteria blooms.

10. Education Rooted in Experience



In 2025, LSPA reached more than 5,200 people through hands-on school programs, family programs, public lectures, and community events. This outreach included school programs in the Kearsarge, Newport, and Sunapee districts, Nature Exploration Story Time (NEST) for young children, and the annual Love Your Lake open house at our Center for Lake Studies. LSPA’s public awareness campaign, “Let’s Be Clear,” continued to reach new groups of stakeholders, raising awareness of simple actions homeowners can take to protect water quality. Connecting students, families, and adults directly with watershed science, local ecology, and practical stewardship actions, turned education into impact in 2025. 

LSPA Staff Joys of 2025

We hope you enjoy reading the reflections of LSPA staff members as we look back on our personal "joys" from 2025. It has been an eventful year, and we are grateful for all the good that has transpired and the progress that has taken place!

Elizabeth Harper - Executive Director

This year, my joy has come from witnessing, again and again, how deeply this community cares and how consistently you all show up! There is something incredible about watching a room fill with people who want to understand the issues facing our watershed, and who are willing to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work alongside us.

I’m surrounded every day by doers: board members, staff, volunteers, and community members who engage in our work with genuine commitment. One of the clearest examples this year was the overwhelming participation in the wastewater system issue at Mt. Sunapee. Hundreds of people took the time to learn, ask thoughtful questions, and work toward proactive solutions to a challenge that could have had major impacts on the watershed. Your willingness to engage made a real difference in ensuring that the problem will be addressed.

Seeing our community’s passion translate into real action for the Lake Sunapee Watershed is one of my greatest joys.  

Kathleen Stowell - Education Director

For 30 years it has been my job at LSPA to create experiences that facilitate learning and discovery building individual connections to the natural world. It is not only my job but my life’s work. Whenever there is moment of understanding that creates a spark of excitement, I am gratified! These are a few of the moments during the past year: 4th grade student sitting by the shore of Sunapee “Can’t we stay longer? This is the best!” 6th grade student understanding the connection between runoff and wildlife “All that salt from the road can’t be good for the fish!”, a grandparent at our NEST program, “The more a I learn about nature, the more amazed I am by the world we live in.” These moments remind me why this work matters and inspire me to continue nurturing curiosity and wonder in every learner I am privileged to work with.

Kayla Edmunds - Environmental Educator

My first day at LSPA on Oct. 6th was full of joyful moments, and really set the tone for how wonderful LSPA, all of the people involved with us, and the Lake Sunapee region are. From taking water samples in the morning, to preparing for our weekly NEST program in the afternoon, to attending the Full Moon Cruise in the evening - every part of that day was full of laughter, warm welcomes, and excitement. Since that great first day, it has been a treat to reconnect with the people and the area that I grew up in after almost 10 years away - I even had my 5th grade teacher at the very first field trip I helped facilitate! Alongside the joy of coming home, I love environmental education because of the opportunities to help learners of all ages slow down, notice new things, and connect with our wild neighbors and friends. It is so special to share in the moments of adventure and exploration, from NEST programs and Watershed Discovery Days to all of our elementary school field trips. I’m looking forward to many more of these moments in the new year!

Teriko MacConnell - Water Quality Lab Director

The lab received over 1000 samples in 2025! Even with the drought, this is 150 samples more than most years. I am so grateful to the wonderful volunteers and interns that collected the samples and worked in the lab analyzing them. It was a joy to have the interns figure out in early August that we might be on track for a record-breaking year and be so excited about it. They were a fun group to work with, and adding the volunteers into the mix made the time in the lab extra fun.

Another joy for me this year was attending the North American Lakes Management Society (NALMS) conference. It gave me a different perspective to see how other lakes and reservoirs were dealing with issues within their watersheds, and helped reinforce how truly wonderful our watershed and people are!

Alyssa Spencer - Burkehaven Fellow

2025 has brought more positive change to my personal and professional life than I ever could have expected. After volunteering to make a few maps for LSPA at the start of the year, I was offered the opportunity to join this incredible organization as a Burkehaven Fellow, and I jumped on the opportunity! My husband and I packed up our life in Colorado, moved across the country, bought our first home, and committed ourselves to building a life and community here near Lake Sunapee.

One of the most rewarding parts of this role has been seeing my GIS and mapmaking work translate into real conversations, real interest, and real action on the ground. When my septic failure flow maps were printed at a large scale and used at outreach events, I could feel the different pieces of my career goals finally coming together: contributing to science, communicating the environmental challenges of the day, and creating meaningful impact. The work we do here is challenging, fulfilling, and deeply aligned with what I’ve always hoped to do in my career.

On top of that, my favorite part has been the people. Working with the staff, volunteers, board, and committee members, all of whom bring such energy and enthusiasm, has strengthened my own passion for this work every single day. I am so grateful to be here, contributing to something that matters, with a community that genuinely inspires me every day.

Geoff Lizotte - Watershed Director

I am grateful to all the LSPA partners I worked alongside this year to complete water quality improvement projects such as Twin Lake Village folks, Little Lake Sunapee Protective Association members, community volunteers and Wallulu Community Homeowner Association members. Working together we were able to accomplish a lot including the planting of many native perennials, groundcovers and shrubs to help stabilize shorelines and stream banks.

Susie Burbidge - Conservation Program Manager

In my role at LSPA, I have the privilege of interacting with a wide range of people on a regular basis. I feel very fortunate to come to the office every day to work with fellow staff who care so deeply about the mission of the organization and the important work we do. It is truly a gift to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are working hard to make a difference. I also get to work with a lot of volunteers, whether they are monitoring for aquatic invasive species, observing loons and their fascinating behavior, or keeping track of winter ice, just to name a few examples. The passion and commitment they share for our lakes and ponds is truly remarkable! Lastly, 2025 was another great year of collaboration! From organizing Regional Lakes meetings to dealing with invasive curly-leaf pondweed, overseeing the Lake Host program on Sunapee and helping to coordinate workshops for a variety of stakeholders in the watershed (and beyond), I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with an amazing array of people on various projects.

Becky Bense - Office Manager

This year, my joy occurred at Love Your Lake Day. I was painting faces and helping to create lasting and positive memories of LSPA for many families. 

Some families came just to get their faces painted and they stayed to explore all the many stations and left with something priceless - knowledge about how to make a positive impact on our watershed.

Summer Fleming - Communications & Development Coordinator

One of my greatest joys this year has been working with Dave Macdonald during his final year as LSPA’s Membership Committee Chair. In my two years at LSPA, Dave has taught me the ins and outs of membership, sharing his knowledge and guidance. I’m so grateful for the time we’ve had to work together. I’m excited to work with Kirk Bishop as he steps into the role of Membership Committee Chair, and we will continue building on the remarkable legacy Dave has created for this organization.

Join us for These Upcoming Events!

Lakes & Legislation: Preview of the 2026 
New Hampshire Legislative Session

Wednesday, January 14

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Zoom

Join Andrea LaMoreaux, NH LAKES President and Policy Advocate, to get an insider’s look at what bills will be heard during this legislative session that may impact the health and management of New Hampshire’s 1,000 lakes, including your favorite lake. And find out how you can be ready to reach out to your legislators when our lakes need you over the next few months.

Click here to register.

Regional Lakes Meeting: Cyanobacteria in New Hampshire's Lakes and How to Communicate About It

Tuesday, January 20

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

LSPA Center for Lake Studies, 
63 Main St, Sunapee, NH

This meeting is for members of regional lake & pond associations and anyone else who is interested in learning more about cyanobacteria. Amy Smagula, Chief Aquatic Biologist with NHDES, will provide an update on the status of cyanobacteria blooms in New Hampshire’s lakes during the Summer and Fall of 2025 and will also explain the updated messaging from NHDES regarding public health guidance.

Click here to register.

Winter Seed Sowing Workshop

Wednesday, January 28

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

LSPA Center for Lake Studies, 
63 Main St, Sunapee, NH

Join LSPA staff to learn about a unique early seed sowing method. Participants will learn all about native seeds and make their own mini-greenhouses and sow seeds to take home with them. This workshop will cover the benefits of germinating seeds through this method and the advantages it has over indoor seed-starting. The workshop will also cover how to plant the seedlings once they germinate. Come join the fun and learn all about how to sow your seeds in the winter!

Click here to register.

Intern with LSPA!

Summer Internship: Limnology Lab/Field Research Assistant

We’re recruiting for interns to assist with water quality monitoring during the summer. In these internships students:

• Gain knowledge about the parameters used to measure water quality including pH, conductivity, turbidity, E.coli, chlorophyll-a, and total phosphorus
• Master all areas of water quality testing, including sample collection, handling, and data management.
• Perform appropriate Quality Control/Quality Assurance procedures with appropriate documentation
• Understand how human activities affect water quality and watersheds.
• Learn about the operation of a non-profit organization. 

Applications for summer interns are due February 27, 2026. Application instructions are available here.

Watershed Views

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Lake Sunapee Protective Association

Center for Lake Studies

Physical Address:

63 Main Street

Sunapee, NH 03782

Mailing Address:

PO Box 683, Sunapee, NH 03782

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