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- Webinar: Future Aquatic Invaders of the Northeast, December 18th
- Advocacy Update
- Lake Webinar Series
- LakeSmart Season Update
- Loon Restoration Project Update
- Ice-In Reporting
- Holiday Shopping: Support Businesses That Support Lakes
- Year End Appeal
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Future Aquatic Invaders of the Northast:
How Climate Change, Human Vectors, and Natural History Could Bring Species North
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Wesley Daniel, USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 4:00 pm via Zoom
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to U.S. biodiversity, and aquatic invasions have cost the global economy U.S. $345 billion in mitigation efforts, with the most significant percent of costs occurring in North America. Climate change is expected to facilitate the spread of invasive species, and further invasive species range shifts resulting from climate change have been identified as a major concern for natural resources managers.
Join this webinar to learn more about how researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey are using habitat suitability models to develop risk scores for spread and establishment in the Northeast.
Copy and save THIS LINK to your calendar to connect (no registration necessary).
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Maiine State Capitol by Anne M. Dumont | |
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The votes have been counted (and recounted!) and our legislators were sworn into office on December 5th. We have 107 returning and 44 new Representatives (total of 151 seats) and 27 returning and 8 news Senators (total of 35 seats) who will be working hard at the State House in months ahead.
Now is the time to connect with legislators and help them understand the benefits of clean lakes, not just for the economy but for the health of visitors, residents, and wildlife who live in, on and around our precious lakes.
While it’s always a bit of a surprise to see what’s coming for bills (especially bills that weaken lake protection), we know there is promising legislation being drafted to regulate “Non Water-dependent Floating Structures” (NWFS). These structures are an increasing problem on freshwater bodies not just in Maine but around the country. Maine Lakes is concerned about the risks posed by substandard sewage and wastewater systems on these structures, as well as their impact on sensitive near-shore habitat. We also know there are bills in the works to address stormwater runoff and increase funding for lake restoration. Stay tuned for updates on how these bills evolve and when there will be opportunities to speak up for lakes!
Here are three easy tasks that won’t take too much of your time but will help tremendously as we prepare for success with lake protection policies in the session ahead:
1. Send your legislator an email: Let them know how much you value clean lakes and ask if you can count on their support for bills that protect and preserve the values of clean lakes for everyone. Include a link to Let’s Be Clear , a handout summarizing the recent University of Maine study showing how Maine’s lakes add more than $14 billion of value each year to our economy.
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Find your representative's contact information here.
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Find your senator's contact information here.
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If your legislator is a lake advocate, someone we could call on to sponsor lake-friendly legislation, let Susan Gallo know at sgallo@lakes.me
2. Join one of our “Jump Into Lake Advocacy” Webinars in January: See the next article for more information, or register here for Jan 15 at noon or register here for Jan 16 at 6:00 p.m.
3. Sign up for our Legislative Alerts: Get occasional emails (no more than six) throughout the legislative session (January to June) when timely letters and in-person testimony for lake-friendly legislation is most needed. Sign up here.
Thank you for speaking up for the health of Maine's lakes!
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Maine Lakes and Lake Stewards of Maine are excited to collaborate for another series of webinars in the Winter and Spring of 2025. This year’s webinar series covers a variety of topics that should interest anyone with a passion for lake protection. Sign up for one or all of these at the links below. There will be time for questions and discussions with the speakers to keep things lively and interactive. All webinars will also be recorded. Webinars are free but registration is required. See more information and registration links below.
Jump into Lake Advocacy
Wednesday, January 15, 12:00 PM, Register here
Thursday, January 16, 6:00 PM. Register here
Join us for a Legislative Update with Susan Gallo, Maine Lakes, covering upcoming bills impacting lakes and water quality that will before the legislature in 2025, how to get involved, tips for effective (and easy!) testimony, and how to get updates throughout the session.
Hidden Gems of Maine's Waters: Our Unique and Uncommon Fish
Thursday, February 20, 12:00 PM, Register here
Discover Maine's unique and rare fish species in a presentation by Merry Gallagher, Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Minnesota’s Surface Water: What 20 Years of Monitoring is Telling Us
Tuesday, March 11, 12:00 PM, Register here
Join us as we hear from Mark Ferry, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, about the fascinating research on pharmaceutical and other emerging contaminants in MN’s lakes and streams. What parallels may exist for Maine’s waters?
Celebrating 20 Years of LakeSmart!
Thursday, April 10, 6:00 PM, Register here
Caroline Seibert, Maine Lakes LakeSmart Coordinator, will look back at 20+ years of LakeSmart in the state of Maine, how it has worked to protect lakes, and how it continues to expand and grow to create sustained and lasting impacts on Maine lakes.
Our Shore: Living Shorelines and Nature-based Solutions for Erosion Control
Thursday, May 8, 12:00 PM, Register here
Nate Robbins, the lead for Climate Change and Adaptation in the Commissioner’s Office of the Department of Environmental Protection, will be sharing some of the current research, outreach, and policies related to climate change actions on shorelines and lake health.
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LakeSmart staff Andrea Stevens (far left) and Caroline Seibert (far right) hosted a lunch and learn event for some of our dedicated volunteers this summer ain the beautiful restored barn at Bonventura Vineyards near Bear Pond in Hartford (Photo credit Jen Bonaventura) | |
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LakeSmart had an impressive year in 2024! We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our corps of dedicated LakeSmart volunteers. As ambassadors of positive change, our volunteers are making a big difference in how homeowners manage their shoreland properties. Their guidance and recommendations for lake-friendly practices are becoming even more relevant in these days of changing and unprecedented climate extremes.
A summary of some of the LakeSmart numbers for the 2024 season:
- 303 evaluations submitted and reviewed, exceeding last year’s record number.
- 134 volunteers were pivotal in the helping the program grow
- Volunteers logged 1,400 hours visiting properties in their lake communities and recommending lake-friendly practices to homeowners.
- Evaluations from 67 lakes across the state were submitted by LakeSmart teams.
- 15 out of16 of Maine’s counties had active LakeSmart programs.
While about 40% of property owners received LakeSmart awards, all homeowners are recognized for the improvements they have already made on their property. Volunteers and Maine Lakes staff encourage and follow up with homeowners who have not yet met LakeSmart standards. We provide continuing guidance for homeowners interested in adopting best management practices to reduce erosion, manage nutrient-laden runoff, and build resiliency in the face of future storms, as well as moving toward a LakeSmart Award.
The thoughtful growth of the LakeSmart program and the incredible year we’ve just had would not be possible without the leadership, guidance, and hard work of LakeSmart program staff Andrea Stevens (astevens@lakes.me) and Caroline Seibert (cseibert@lakes.me). Andrea and Caroline support LakeSmart teams across the state, from southern York County to the northern reaches of Aroostook to Downeast Maine, assuring volunteers have the knowledge and tools they need to succeed. They always encourage and welcome new lakes and volunteers to join the program. Send one of them an email if you are interested, or call the Maine Lakes office at (207) 495-2301.
Maine Lakes extends a huge and heartfelt thank you to our LakeSmart volunteers and staff for an incredible year. Thank you for all that you do!
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Loon Restoration Project Update | |
We want to recognize and thank James Reddoch (far left) for leading the Look Out For Loons effort at Maine Lakes for a second summer in 2024. James’ enthusiasm for loon conservation and his ability to connect with and motivate volunteers has been an incredible asset for this small but mighty program. | |
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Look Out For Loons, a program to get the word out to lake users and visitors about ways to reduce risks to nesting loons and increase loon nesting productivity, had a big year in 2024. Incredible effort was put in by more than 70 Look Out for Loon Volunteers across the state. They hosted more than 60 community and outreach events, presentations, and informational tables, and they distributed thousands of brochures, stickers, and other educational materials, reaching an estimated 3,500 people in 42 communities. The dedication, creativity, and fun that this team of volunteers brought to LOFL in 2024 has been inspiring.
Here are just a few examples:
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The Bridgton/Naples loon crew created a loon Q&A "game wheel" which was a big hit at their Farmer’s Market and Art Festival information tables. They also worked with town libraries to deliver community presentations and storybook walks. | |
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Presentations were delivered at lake association meetings, Kiwanis Club meetings, arboretums, on pontoon boats, in lake resident's homes, and at land trusts. Several LOFL volunteers went the extra mile, literally, and traveled far from home to help get out the Look Out for Loons message. | |
Look Out For Loons signs were a big hit! Volunteer worked with Town Managers to get LOFL signs installed at town-owned boat launches. Displays like this one at Kidney Pond drew a lot of positive attention! | |
And Look Out For Loons is just part of a larger effort to restore Common Loons in Maine. Read more about the other activities that are part of the Maine Loon Restoration Project in this newsletter here. | |
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There is still one more “formal” year of this project. The goal in 2025 is to continue to expand our LOFL efforts while at the same time making sure we prepare volunteers to continue their outreach and education activities even after the program officially ends. The staff of Maine Lakes looks forward to working with al l our returning LOFL volunteers (and maybe even finding a few new ones!) as we wrap up the project in 2025. Our collective efforts are making a difference for loons in Maine! FMI, or to sign up as a 2025 LOFL volunteer, visit the LOFL webpage or email info@lakes.me.
Thank you to James Reddoch, Look Out For Loons Project Manager, and all the wonderful volunteers who are bringing such energy, passion, and creativity to this important effort!
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Ice Out on Sebago Lake by John Stetson | |
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If you, too, were enjoying your lunch outside in the sunshine on a late November day in Maine, you know the weather this fall has been unusual. And that means unusual things for our lakes. Our colleagues at Lake Stewards of Maine are collecting ice-in information from observers like you on lakes and ponds across the state. Ice-in (and ice-out) dates affect so many biological processes in our lakes, from oxygenation to length of the “growing season” for algae to conditions for invasive species growth.
Ice-in dates can be difficult to determine, and most lakes don’t have historic ice-in records. Ice-in occurs when the lake is completely or nearly completely covered with ice. However, lakes can thaw after an early ice-in and remain open for weeks again until the ice finally closes in for the winter. Because lakes can freeze and thaw multiple times, LSM tracks the first instance of ice-in as well as the point in time when the lake is completely covered for the winter.
LSM has lots of resources to help you add to the ice-in database!
Visit their Ice Tracking Form here to review data variables and enter data.
Visit their Ice Variability page here for more information about defining ice conditions.
Now get your skates sharpened while you wait for the ice, and stay safe out there!
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Holiday Shopping:
Support Businesses that Support Lakes
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2025 Lakes Conference
University of Maine Farmington
Friday, June 13
More information will be posted to the conference website after the New Year.
We hope to see you for another energizing gathering of lake enthusiasts!
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It has been a busy, productive, and impactful year at Maine Lakes.
We are grateful for all the ways you have supported our work to keep Maine’s lake healthy, whether as a donor, a volunteer, an advocate or a conference participant. Working with you, and with your community, Maine Lakes has made remarkable progress in 2024 towards a healthy future for our vital lakes. Your support has been key to our success!
It's not too late to support our lake protection work.
Giving in December makes up almost half of our charitable donations, which is amazing but also a little scary given that it all comes so close to the end of our fiscal year. Like so many other nonprofits, we need support now to meet our 2024 budget goals, and to start us off in 2025 on solid financial footing.
While we know we are competing with many worthy organizations, we hope we can count on your support for this campaign. You can read our full year-end appeal here. and donate at the button below.
Thank you for all you do to support Maine Lakes and may your holidays be filled with friends, family and much good cheer!
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