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March 2025 Newsletter from the 30 Mile River Watershed Association
Photo: 2024 Lakes Conference, hosted by Maine Lakes and Lake Stewards of Maine. See below for many upcoming workshops, webinars, and events.
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Now Hiring!
Watershed Manager and Summer Staff
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Join our team! We are seeking applicants for Watershed Manager, a position that will oversee our diverse programs and projects that are focused on erosion prevention and control. This is a full time position based in our newly renovated building in Mount Vernon Village.
We also are accepting applications for Courtesy Boat Inspectors and our Invasive Plant Survey Team! These roles are seasonal and part-time, but can be combined for full-time summer work. Both are great opportunities for students looking to grow their resume and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Learn more about all open positions and apply online:
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Would you like to make an impact in the community and on your lake? Join us as a volunteer in 2025! There’s something for everyone – LakeSmart, water quality monitoring, invasive plant patrol, courtesy boat inspections, office work, and more. No experience needed! Training is provided for all programs.
Visit our website for details.
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Question of the Month:
Does 30 Mile receive federal funding and is it at risk?
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30 Mile receives funding from a diverse mix of sources, the biggest of which is donations from individuals like you. We also receive contributions from towns, lake associations, and both private foundation and government grants. Since 2011, we have received five grants funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. This funding is administered by the Maine DEP, in partnership with EPA. These “319” grants fund projects to help communities restore and protect priority waters, primarily by reducing erosion and polluted runoff. These grants have enabled us to bring significant funding to towns, road associations, and landowners to take on important lake-protection projects that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. 30 Mile currently has two 319 grants underway, one for Androscoggin Lake ($150K), and the other for Parker Pond ($64K).
These grants are structured such that neither 30 Mile nor Maine DEP receives funding until projects are completed. The Trump Administration has already made major cuts at the EPA, and although this program is still functioning, it is certainly at risk, and therefore our funding is, too.
| | Photos: In 2020, the “319” grant that 30 Mile received from the EPA (administered by Maine DEP in partnership with EPA) made possible this $329K stream crossing project for the Town of Chesterville on the Sandy River Rd, between Parker and David Ponds. (Before and after shown above). | | |
We had a cold winter with lots of ice, but with the warmer weather we’ve had in March, that ice is quickly changing. Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) needs your help reporting ice-out data on your lake. Collecting ice-out data is critical to better understand climate change effects, water quality health, and risks to Maine's lakes and ponds.
To learn more about this important effort and to submit ice-out data, click here.
| | Upcoming workshops, webinars, and events | | |
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Protect Wildlife & Habitat: Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Plants
Lake Stewards of Maine’s AIS Program Director, Brett Willard, will lead a webinar hosted by Maine Audubon. Focus will be on the threats that aquatic invasive plants pose to native wildlife habitat and how volunteers can identify and report the 15 aquatic invasive plants on Maine’s watchlist.
When & Where: Thursday, 4/3, 6:30PM, ZOOM
Register: Click here, for more information and registration details.
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Gravel road workshop:
Protect water quality and save money!
Gravel roads surround all of the lakes and ponds in the watershed, providing access to our favorite places. Learn how proper construction and maintenance can protect water quality and save you money! Hosted by the Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District and China Lake Association.
When: Friday, 4/4, 12pm - 4pm.
Where: China Town Office Annex, 571 Lakeview Drive, South China. ZOOM option available.
Register here.
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Winter Webinar Series
Join for the final zoom sessions in the series, co-hosted by Lake Stewards of Maine and Maine Lakes:
Celebrating 20 years of LakeSmart!
Thursday, 4/10 at 6PM
Learn more and register here.
Our Shore: Living Shorelines and Nature-based Solution for Erosion Control
Thursday, 5/8 at 12PM
Learn more and register here.
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Aquatic Invasives Species Summit
Join professionals and volunteers to learn about what is happening in the fight against aquatic invasive species in Maine.
When: Friday, 4/18 at 8:30AM-12:30PM
Where: Lewiston/Auburn Campus of USM, 51 Westminster St, Lewiston
Learn more and register here.
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Lakes Conference
Join volunteers and professionals from around the State for a day of learning and networking at the 2025 Lakes Conference. Registration is now open for this annual event, hosted by Maine Lakes and Lake Stewards of Maine. This year’s conference theme is Lakes at the Edge.
When: Friday, 6/13
Where: University of Maine at Farmington
Register: For presentation topics, registration, and more details, click here.
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Volunteer Water Quality Monitor Workshop
For the second year in a row, Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) is holding a water quality training for volunteer water quality monitors in our watershed. A special thanks to Echo Lake volunteers for offering on-water support during the workshop again!
When: Tuesday, 6/17
Where: Echo Lake Public Boat Launch, Route 41, Mount Vernon
If you are in need of recertification, or want to become a newly trained monitor for your lake or pond, please contact Silas, silas@30mileriver.org.
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Live Plant I.D. Workshop
Led by Lake Stewards of Maine and co-hosted by 30 Mile and Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed. Learn the basics of plant I.D., compare live invasive aquatic plant species and their native look-alikes, and ask all your questions. This workshop meets the plant ID requirement for IPP Certification Tier 2.
When: Friday, 7/11, 1PM - 4PM
Where: Ladd Center, Wayne
A link will be shared once registration is live.
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Aquatic Invasive Plant Paddle
Led by Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) and co-hosted by 30 Mile, Flying Pond Improvement Association (FPIA), and Greater Minnehonk Lake Association (GMLA). You will learn the basics of plant I.D. in the field and meet other volunteers in the area, all while exploring Minnehonk Lake’s plant diversity. Kayaks will be available, if needed.
When: Friday, 7/18, 10PM - 1PM
Where: Minnehonk Lake, Mt. Vernon
A link will be shared once registration is live.
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