Today is Giving Tuesday and your chance to partner with us and make a big impact on the lakes you love.

As the threats to our lakes have become more alarming, 30 Mile continues to rise to the challenge of protecting our waters. Invasive species, development, warming temperatures and bigger storms all put our lakes at greater risk. Thanks to the support of so many who care about the health of our lakes, we are able to tackle these challenges head-on. 

With so much at stake, we hope we can count on you to help us continue and expand our work with your gift TODAY. We simply cannot do it without you!

Our work wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated volunteers across all of our programs. In part one of two, this month we thank the volunteers who are part of our LakeSmart and Courtesy Boat Inspection programs. (Next month - water quality monitoring and invasive plant patrollers).   

Courtesy Boat Inspectors

May through September this year, 11 volunteer Courtesy Boat Inspectors made a big impact at four boat launches, volunteering 174 hours to educate boaters about the threat of invasives, and inspect boats and trailers for hitchhiking plants and animals. Along with our paid staff, all of our inspectors conducted a total of 2,362 inspections this year! All it takes is one fragment to start an infestation and ruin a lake, so every inspection makes a difference.

Androscoggin: Jim Van Cott

Flying Pond: Todd Hemphill, Bill Murphy, Wendy Oakley, & Bob Thompson

Minnehonk Lake: Jan & Tom Arminio

Parker Pond: Deb Cayer, Maggie Chadwick, Karen Nadeau, & Susan Tinguely

Photo: Volunteer Todd Hemphill conducts an inspection at Flying Pond

LakeSmart Volunteers

30 Mile is a regional LakeSmart “HUB” support center for this statewide program. LakeSmart would not be possible without our partner lake associations and the volunteer coordinators and evaluators doing the work. This year, LakeSmart teams in our watershed completed more than twenty property evaluations, delivering LakeSmart education property-by-property and shore-by-shore to create a conservation ethic across the lake community.

Androscoggin Lake: Cynthia Giguere-Unrein (coordinator), Buddy Cummings, Patt Koscinski, Allen Unrein, John Yindra

Flying Pond: Cindy Ripley (coordinator), Diane Araps, Beth Trehu, Steve Trehu, John Zacker

Minnehonk Lake (New team in 2023!): Jan Arminio, Jennifer Small

 

Parker & David Ponds: Deb Cayer (coordinator), Susan Tinguely, Gerry Tinguely

Photo: from left to right, Flying Pond LakeSmart team members John Zacker, Beth Trehu, and Steve Trehu, and 30 Mile’s Program Director, Whitney Baker, during a LakeSmart training session in July 2023.

Becoming LakeSmart is one of the best things you can do to protect your lake. To request a FREE property visit by your local LakeSmart team, go to https://30mileriver.org/lakesmart/.

THANK you to all 2023 participating landowners:

Androscoggin Lake: Robert Arsenault, Dan Mynahan, Timothy Mynahan, Gisela Tatem, and John & Sara Yindra

David Pond: Sue Smith and Barbara Thayer

Echo Lake: Dorcus Riley

Flying Pond: Gary Fish, Jon Hayes, Pete & Michelle Henry, Charlie Huot, Danielle & Eric Sherwood, Steve & Beth Trehu, and Jacque Ward

Kimball Pond: Nancy Gregory & Tom Hale

Minnehonk Lake: Kiley DeHaven, Linda Fish, and Christine Merchant

Parker Pond: John Lanoue & Karen Nadeau, David & Kathryn Markovchick, Bill and Karen Rogers, and Ken & Linda Tillman

Pocasset Lake: Sue & Chris Heard

First LakeSmart property on Kimball Pond!

With our goal of bringing the LakeSmart program to every lake and pond in the watershed, we are excited to announce the very first LakeSmart award on Kimball Pond in Vienna: Congratulations Nancy Gregory and Tom Hale!

“We joined the LakeSmart program with a commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Kimball Pond and the 30 Mile River Watershed. The evaluation process was quite thorough. The program recognizes positive actions we have taken. It encourages us to think carefully about sustainable practices as we plan gardens, landscaping and maintaining our property. Whitney went so far as to prepare a rain garden design to manage runoff using the naturally occurring low spots on our property. We encourage other homeowners in the 30 Mile River Watershed to participate in this program and become stewards of Maine's lakes and ponds, ensuring their beauty and vitality for years to come.” – Nancy & Tom

Shop local businesses, including many artisans and crafters, bakers, and potters during this two-day event organized by Sustain Wayne. Other offerings will include a food truck, horse drawn wagon rides, and more. Come visit us at the Johnson House on Saturday from 10-2. More information on Facebook.

As you plan your year-end giving, consider a gift of appreciated securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) to 30 Mile. This is an effective way to fulfill your giving goals and help maximize your tax savings. You may be able to:



• Deduct the fair market value of your gift;
• Avoid capital gains tax on the appreciated stock.

To learn more, see our securities page.

Support 30 Mile! Your gift today will make a difference in protecting our lakes from phosphorus pollution, invasive species, and other threats. Find the giving level that works for you.