Squam Lakes Conservation Society | May 2021 |
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"Rain Over Squam from Eagle Cliff" (5/16/21)
Photo by Amy Nordblom
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Greetings!
May is flying by, the temperatures feel like summer, and the black flies are out in force. While days have reached 80 degrees the lake is still only around 50 degrees!
Just one week until the kick off of summer for many of us! We hope to see familiar faces and new friends around Squam this summer. The lake is going to be a wonderful place for adventure and connection.
Last Friday, we hosted Steve from Wood Stove Kitchen in Meredith for some Zoom cocktail mixing! Read on to find a recap of the evening below. We hope to host more online and in-person events later this summer so stay tuned!
Sincerely,
The SLCS NextGen Committee
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Welcoming 2021 Americorps Members! |
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For the past four years, SLCS has partnered with the Lakes Region Conservation Corps (LRCC) to bring two Americorps members on to the SLCS team from May to November.
This season, we welcome Cat and Skye to the SLCS team!
Cat graduated from Allegheny College this spring and studied Environmental Science with an emphasis on Geographic Information Science (GIS) with a double minor in Computer Science and Global Health Studies!
Skye graduated from Harvard last May with a degree in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and a research focus in animal movement and resource use ecology. Skye has been working with her lab to publish her thesis research on European golden jackals - pictured above!
Cat and Skye will work on a variety of projects at SLCS, including managing SLCS preserves, monitoring conservation easements, removing invasive species, refreshing boundary marking, and much more! Click below to learn more about Cat and Skye and the AmeriCorps program.
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We're continuing our Learn From Experience series with an interview between NextGen member Corinna Beale and Betsy Whitmore, an Honorary Board Member who has served on the SLCS Board of Directors since 2005. Betsy is an active volunteer property monitor, serves on the SLCS Stewardship Committee, and has been part of the Squam community for many years. Highlights are below.
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Betsy installs aluminum tags on a tree as part of the Doublehead Preserve Forest Monitoring Project. |
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How and when were you introduced to Squam?
1982 - we were living in PA and looking for a vacation option after testing the Poconos and Jersey Shore. A friend suggested Rockywold-Deephaven Camps. It was love at first sight. We continued to visit Squam Lake for one or two weeks for 21 years (from PA and CA) until our move to our house in 2003. We continue to take our extended family to RDC for vacations.
What keeps you coming back?
This is paradise. I have everything I desire right here in Bennett Cove.
How did you get involved in SLCS and what are you most proud of?
Rachel Armstrong, former board member, asked me to join the SLCS board in 2005 or 2006 - not sure which. I was nervous since I knew nothing about land conservation and was so new to the lake. But, I had time and energy.
Two things: I am proud that SLCS was one of the first land trusts to be accredited through the national Land Trust Alliance. I headed the committee that got SLCS accredited the first time in 2012. Accreditation renewal happens every five years.
Secondly, I am proud of SLCS for sponsoring the historic preservation effort around the Squam Lakes. There are an incredible number of historic farms, barns, camps and homes in the Squam Lake watershed. A committee was formed in 2008 to consider some type of recognition for this. In 2012 the National Parks Department endorsed our Multiple Property Nomination which meant that the entire 42,000 acre Squam Lake watershed is recognized as having a significant number of historic resources. The Shepherd Hill historic, of which Ledges is a part, is one of 17 properties that were listed as part of this effort.
What is your hope for the next generation on the lake?
You all are absolutely crucial to the survival of this lake as paradise. There are huge pressures on the lake as properties are sold, historic camps are torn down and replaced by mega-mansions, and development of lakeshore continues. Change will occur but I hope it will be thoughtful and gradual with respect for historic resources. I am very grateful for your group.
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Betsy's Favorites
Island: Otter Island - I once watched an eagle eating a fish there
Hike: Squam Range traverse. I love all of the Squam peaks. Actually I love to hike.
Beverage on the Dock: I am embarrassed to admit that I don't spend much time on the dock, but if it is summer and I am on the dock, a beer is perfect.
Winter Activity: Hiking!! I was bitten by the hiking bug soon after moving here. I guess I am now a certified peak bagger. I have hiked all 48 4,000 footers in summer, winter, with my dog, and over the age of 70. It is addicting.
Squam Organization Betsy Admires: The Science Center. I have been a docent since 2004 and continue to volunteer there. My grandkids love it.
Personal Squam Lake Experience: This is a hard one. Mostly, I wake up every day just happy to look out my window at the lake.
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Celebrating friends, Squam, and shopping local! |
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Squam Mixers from the Wood Stove Kitchen by Mike Evans (left) and screenshot from Friday night's Mixology Event by Polly Grube (right) |
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Thank you everyone who joined us this past Friday evening as the SLCS NextGen Committee hosted a mixology hour with Steve Zyck from Wood Stove Kitchen! It was great to connect with Squam friends, support SLCS, and shop local. We also learned a thing or two about our great lake with Squam Trivia!
If you did miss it, no worries, Steve has kept the order pages open for you to buy his discounted mixers through the end of May. $5 each order will be donated back to the SLCS!
Use promo code SQUAM at checkout for FREE shipping
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Please stay connected for upcoming events like this and email [email protected] for any questions or ideas for upcoming get togethers! Your thoughts on growing our network help us fulfill our mission of preserving the Squam watershed for generations to come. |
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What's Happening Around the Lake: |
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A Morning of Creative Writing
Squam Lakes Association
Saturday, May 29
10am - 12pm
Join LRCC member Maggy for a Squam themed creative writing workshop at the Squam Lakes Association!
Participants will be assigned a critter, plant, natural formation, etc. that can be found on Squam; we will keep what we’ve each been assigned to ourselves.
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Fairy Shrimp to Caddisflies
Squam Lakes Natural Science Center
Saturday, May 29
10am
Spring is an exciting time to be out and about. It’s when vernal pools are coming to life. Venture with a naturalist to two different vernal pools at the Science Center to learn about the animals dependent on these predator-free, ephemeral pools. Waterproof boots and bug spray are highly recommended. Ages 5+
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This newsletter is brought to you by your SLCS NextGen Committee Members:
Corinna Beale, Emily Landry, Kat Armstrong, Mike Evans, Polly Grube, Amy Nordblom, Ben Wymer, and Sam Tracy.
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