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Weekly News & Updates

Inside This Newsletter

February 16, 2026

Save the Date: Lake Conference

2026 Lakes Webinar Series

Water Quality Program

Community WQ Technical Discussion

MeterFest

Aquatic Invasive Species Program 

Summer 2026 Internship

2026 Jump-Start: August 5-12

Notice from our Partners

Office Hours

Registration opens on March 2nd!

Lake Resilience in the

Face of Change

Location: Wells Conference Center at the University of Maine, Orono

Date: June 12th; 8:30am - 4:00pm

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/

Next webinar is presented by Rebecca Jacobs, Boothbay Drinking Water District.

Date: March 18 at 12:30 pm

Title: Relocating a Road and Adding Native Plantings to Protect Water Quality

TODAY: Community Water Quality Technical Discussion

Our first session of the year will be held today February 16 at 11:00 PM. Learn More

MeterFest

For those of you with water quality meters, LSM and Maine DEP's annual free dissolved oxygen meter check to ensure proper calibration and function will be taking place on April 9, 2026 at the Augusta DEP lab.

We have 6 drop-off locations: Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Portland, Presque Isle, and Springvale; or you can ship it to Augusta DEP.

Further information and required form is available on the LSM website.

Learn More

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 will be accepted on a rolling basis, and reviews start on February 20, 2026. A full description of the position as well as in information on how to apply are available on our website.

2026 Jump-Start

August 5 to August 12

The IPP Jump-Start brings volunteers from all over the state to help survey vulnerable lakes in less densely populated areas. This year we are going to Pushaw Lake and Little Pushaw Pond, just west of Bangor, and we want you to join us! You don't have to be a plant identification expert or a long-time volunteer to come, just a desire to get out on the water looking for plants. Housing is provided, and boats may be available too!

Please contact Christine Guerette at christine@lakestewardsme.org with questions or to express interest.

Notice from our Partners, Colleagues and Collaborators

If you have any questions regarding the information below,

please contact the organization mentioned in post directly.

LD 2141 aka "Bottle Bill"

Thank you to everyone who submitted written testimony, signed on to the Lake Protection Coalition's sign-on letter, or spoke in person at the February 4 hearing in support of LD 2141. Your advocacy makes a real difference and demonstrates the strong unified commitment to protecting Maine's lakes. 

The work session for this bill has not yet been scheduled. To stay up to date on LD 2141 and related developments, please visit the Lake Protection Coalition website for the latest information: https://lakeprotectioncoalition.org/act-now/

The DEP Marine Unit is seeking an AmeriCorps Environmental Steward for the 2026 field season, based in Augusta. This full-time service term runs from June 8 through November 20, 2026, and focuses primarily on field implementation for the Marine Environmental Monitoring Program and the Salmon Habitat Monitoring Program.

Applications are due February 23, 2026.

Learn more and apply here:

https://www.maine.gov/DACF/parks/get_involved/conservation_corps/join/index.shtml

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is hiring a Biologist II to join their Lake Assessment Team. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to lake science and monitoring work that supports water quality protection across Maine.

Learn more and apply here:

https://maine.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Executive/details/Biologist-II_R26-00457

Please share with your network, and feel free to reach out with any 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!