Weekly News & Updates

Inside This Newsletter

February 02, 2026



Save the Date: Lake Conference



Watershed Survey Grant


2026 Lakes Webinar Series


Water Quality Program


Aquatic Invasive Species Program 

Summer 2026 Internship


Notice from our Partners


Office Hours


Community Watershed Survey

Small Grant Program

(due on Febrary 9th)


Lake Stewards of Maine is, again, partnering with Maine Lakes in 2026 to support organizations around Maine who are conducting watershed surveys. This grant helps lake and watershed groups protect water quality by identifying issues and develop community stewardship.


Watershed surveys rely on trained community volunteers to spot erosion. Sediment phosphorous is the most significant driver of lake heath problems on most lakes. It is critical to investigate not only along shorelines, but throughout the entire watershed. This broad, inclusive approach builds shared understanding of lake health challenges and strengthens long-term stewardship by bringing together people with diverse connections to the lake.


Grant Details:



Typically between $100 and $750.

Supports volunteer-focused expenses such as event food, printing, outreach, meeting space, and other costs not covered by existing grants.

Application deadline: February 9, 2026


Applications will be reviewed jointly by Lake Stewards of Maine and Maine Lakes staff in February, with funding decisions announced in early March. Review considerations include coordination with Maine DEP, prior watershed work, and past funding history.


Please contact us with questions at stewards@lakestewardsme.org or info@lakes.me.

2026 Winter Webinar Series

This series is a collaboration between

Lakes Stewards of Maine and Maine Lakes,

featuring webinars on lake-related topics.


Salts in Our Watersheds

Presented by Karen Wilson, PhD, on February 18, at 12:00 PM


Join Karen Wilson, PhD (University of Southern Maine), for a timely look at salt in our watersheds. Learn about current research and insights from more than a decade of data on streams and ponds affected by salt.


Registration

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8SSRcf14QUKnlp_0tIW99Q


Full Webinar Series

https://www.lakestewardsofmaine.org/2026-lakes-webinar-series/

Water Quality Program

To learn more about LSM's Water Quality Program, please visit our website.

Aquatic Invasive Species Program

To learn more about LSM's Aquatic Invasive Species Program, please visit our website.

Summer 2026 Internship.

Now Accepting Applications!


Lake Stewards of Maine is now accepting applicants for summer 2026 interns.


The Lake Programs Field Intern will primarily assist operations of the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) team, with additional assistance provided to the Water Quality (WQ) team, as well as general LSM operations. 


Applications are due by February 20, 2026. A full description of the position as well as in information on how to apply are available on our website.

Notice from our Partners, Colleagues and Collaborators


If you have any questions regarding the information below,

please contact the organization mentioned in post directly.

Information about LD 2141An Act to Direct a Portion of Unclaimed Beverage Container Deposits to the Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund and the Maine Working Farmland Access can be found HERE

Lake lovers! If you are in the Portland area on February 10th there will be a showing of some wonderful films related to water and our state followed by a panel discussion. More information available at: 

https://maineoutdoorfilmfestival.com/water/

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has recently released the Request For Application (RFA) for their Plant Control Cost Sharing grants. If your lake group is doing aquatic invasive plant control and management, please visit the Maine DEP website for more information. Application deadline February 13, 2026.

https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/grants/invasive/index.html


Please contact the DEP if you have questions.

Office Hours



Mondays & Wednesday

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

or by appointment.



We recommend calling ahead, as the office may be closed during inclement weather,

(207) 783-7733.

If you would like to support Lake Stewards of Maine,

kindly click on the button below. Thank you!

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