Weekly Update ~ Lake Stewards of Maine


Inside this Newsletter May 8, 2023

I- Welcome the New AIS Director!

II- Control Methods Training

III- Early Bird Registration Reminder

IV- Water Quality Summer Certification Schedule

V- WQ Technical Check-In Session

VI-Conference shirts are available

VII- Lake News & Resources

VIII- New Office Hours

Join us in welcoming Brett Willard, LSM’s new Aquatic Invasive Species Program Director!


LSM is thrilled to add another team member to the staff! Brett Willard’s first day was last week, right in the thick of summer workshop planning. Fortunately, scheduling is something Brett is quite familiar with as he previously scheduled over 100 educational programs annually while serving as Program Director at Merryspring Nature Center in Camden. For 11 years, Brett organized a full suite of environmental education programs for people of all ages, expanded access to placed-based education for people of all abilities and circumstances, grew a network of partners and collaborators, and managed volunteers for conservation projects, including a five-year terrestrial invasive plant remediation plan. Brett believes that positive change comes through education, appreciation, and collaboration.


While Brett is quite familiar with terrestrial plants, he will be learning aquatic plants over the summer. We know there are many LSM aquatic plant patrollers who will help with this process. Brett is also planning on attending an intensive aquatic flowering plants seminar with Dr. C. Barre Hellquist and Dr. C. Eric Hellquist in August. Christine Guerette will continue to guide and support Brett as he transitions into his new role. 


In his spare time, Brett enjoys birding, collecting records, and discovering new places to hike and swim. 


Please join us in welcoming Brett to the LSM team!

He can be reached at [email protected].

Control Methods Training

Registration is now live for the Aquatic Invasive Plant Manual Control Training Part 1.


Lake Stewards of Maine and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection are hosting an online webinar on Wednesday, May 31 at 9 am. This training is mandatory for groups receiving State grant funding for invasive plant removal.


The virtual session will cover topics such as Maine's aquatic invasive plants, manual control methods, permitting and reporting requirements, and identification of common invasive plants and their native counterparts. The training consists of two parts, with the completion of Part 1 and a short quiz necessary for participation in a second hands-on session.


Pre-registration is required; participants will receive a Zoom link and instructions upon registration. The webinar is supported by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and funded through the Lake & River Protection Sticker program.


For more information, contact Lake Stewards of Maine at 207-783-7733 or [email protected].

Register Here

Early Bird Registration Reminder

Don't miss out on the "early bird" discount for the Joint Annual Conference! The discounted registration rate is available to the public until May 15. After that date, the registration fee will increase to $45.


Take advantage of the lower rate and secure your spot at the conference by registering before May 15.


There are discounts for early registration, LSM Water Quality monitors and Invasive Plant Patrollers, and Maine Lakes' LakeSmart volunteers.



Discount

LSM Water Quality Summer Certification Schedule


The LSM water quality summer training schedule is live and up on our website. For existing monitors, please contact Jonnie at the office, 207-783-7733, to sign up for a 2023 summer recertification workshop. For new volunteers, please fill out this form.


We will send you a follow-up email with information regarding the certification process.


We look forward to seeing you this summer! 



Resources:

Join Tristan on May 16th for a discussion focused on water quality.


It is the start of the season, so if you have any questions pertaining to your lake or monitoring work, this is a great opportunity to speak with Tristan directly about it.

 

For those with insufficient bandwidth for online video conferencing, there is the option to call in (phone information will be included in your registration confirmation email).



We hope to see you there on May 16th at 10:00 AM!

Register Here

Conference shirts-available online


The campaign is now open until May 24th!

Order now!

Lake News & Resources







Office Hours



NEW Office hours 



Mon-Friday

8:30 am- 4:30 pm


We recommend calling ahead, (207) 783-7733.

Lake Stewards of Maine

24 Maple Hill Rd

Auburn, ME 04210

(207) 783-7733

[email protected]

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