Testing Buoy on Highland Lake The 2014 Milfoil Bill LEA Education Programs The buoy is large and yellow with solar More than a decade after the original are designed to create opportunities for panels mounted on it. There are two “Milfoil Bill” passed the Maine Legislature, life-long learning through place-based round mooring buoys near it that are a new bill will significantly modify a curricula offered in partnership with attached to anchors. long-standing funding inequity. local public schools and community Page 4 By Peter Lowell, Page 8 members. Page 10 Summer 2014 Free LEA Lake News The Maine Lake Science Center – Now a Reality by Peter Lowell LEA Board Votes to Buy the Science Center Property As kids growing up on Highland Lake, we never saw algae clouds that look like green cotton candy. The sand and gravel of the lake bottom was always clean and the rocks were clear of sediment. Unfortunately, these simple indicators of water quality decline are now widespread. Our work over 43 years has led us to conclude that Maine lakes are degrading because of continued watershed development and decline is being accelerated by climate change. All of our lakes have changed over the past few decades, and their future is certainly in doubt. For six years, LEA has studied the status of lake science and visiting lake centers around the country to learn their methods and establish relationships. LEA conducts more lake testing than anyone in Maine, and we feel that no one adequately understands the “tipping points” that lead to a decline in water quality. Continued on Page 9 LEA Lake Research:Temperature, Gloeotrichia and Deep by Amanda Pratt and Colin Holme Sediment Cores Our research projects for this summer include Gloeotrichia Sampling – continuous temperature monitoring, Gloeotrichia Last year we sampled fifteen lakes twice per echinulata sampling, and deep sediment coring. week in the summer months for the blue-green The first two projects were begun last summer and algae known as Gloeotrichia echinulata (or will be continued this year, with some simply “Gloeo”). Six of these lakes had modifications. The latter study will be the first time elevated levels (defined as over one colony per LEA has had the opportunity to get truly historical liter in at least one sample): Moose Pond, Long lake water quality information by analyzing Lake, Keoka Lake, McWain Pond, Peabody sediment accumulation over hundreds of years. Pond, and Crystal Lake. We found that Gloeo These projects enhance our normal water testing populations peaked in late July and early routine and provide us with valuable data to support the mission of our Maine Lake Science August. With that in mind, we have altered our Center – to identify threatening trends and water sampling procedure to focus on those lakes with Inside quality conditions and support corrective measures significant Gloeo populations. before lakes reach a water quality “tipping point”. Continued on Page 3 Attention Boaters! by Mary Jewett This summer, in order to ensure our CBI program is running smoothly, we are enlisting the help of Woods Pond Erosion Control Page 5 our members. We are looking for boaters who would be willing to anonymously evaluate boat LEA’s CBI Program Page 6 inspectors. If you happen to be launching your boat with an inspector on duty, we would appreciate your feedback about the experience. Learn and Play at LEA Page 8 If you are interested in helping with this simple process please email [email protected]. Boat Inspections are Crucial LEA Lake Research Page 10 LEA 230 Main Street Milfoil Control Team Page 12 Bridgton, Maine 04009 (Change Service Requested) Research on “tipping points,” best management family. A log home and garage on the property will opportunity to combine field training and classrooms practices and remediation needs to be addressed in a be repurposed to create three researcher housing in the same location because of its diversity of natural timely manner to avert significant damage to our units, a fifty-seat conference room and a new features. fresh water resources and the economic base of education center for expanded school and adult • LEA pioneered consultations to educate landowners Maine towns. There is a sense of urgency expressed programs. At the pinnacle of the educational best by a quote from the Maine Lakes Society: process is research. The basic needs for researchers about conservation practices Demonstration sites “Lake scientists estimate that we have less than two are housing, meeting space, work space and lab showing these practices will be a key feature of the decades to make the changes required to preserve facilities. There are currently university classes and new property. our lakes – or we will lose them forever.” researchers anxious to use the new space and we • LEA and the Maine Lakes Society formed an alliance have hired a staff researcher, Amanda Pratt, for her Concern about lake health led to LEA’s Maine Lake of lake associations known as the Maine Lake Leaders second year. Science Center initiative which seeks to expand our to educate, inform and share. LEA will expand understanding of water quality and what we need to While research is the culmination of the training and networking opportunities for statewide do to keep our lakes clean. Through new partnerships educational process, education at all levels is groups by offering in-depth and multi-day courses. with academic institutions and strengthened essential. LEA has a rich history of natural Maine Lakes and their watersheds comprise much of partnerships with municipalities, public schools, resource education, beginning 25 years ago. With the land area of a majority of Maine towns, yet businesses, land use professionals and lake groups, two full-time educators and a staff experienced in relatively few resources have been devoted to their LEA intends to inform, initiate and support stronger water quality, land use laws and watershed issues, study and protection. State programs have historically conservation standards and practices. The natural our target audiences are diverse: resources of the Lakes Region underpin the economy been the first victims of budget cuts and research needs • K-12 education is the cornerstone. We reach more and quality of life for residents and visitors. to be encouraged, expanded and supported. Most of the than 1,100 students each year through regular Degradation of these fragile resources could be study, education and advocacy are being accomplished classroom visits and field trips to Pondicherry Park by a handful of regional lake associations with limited catastrophic. Our expanding research is defining the and our Holt Pond Preserve. LEA has two vulnerability and providing the scientific basis for resources. The crisis with invasive aquatic plants has after-school programs and a summer day camp. The placed a further burden on their capacity. The LEA action. This is a community challenge which calls for Center will allow us to expand service and conduct broad understanding of the issues and public support Board of Directors, the Lake Science Advisory Board programs right at the park. LEA is welcomed in and the LEA staff view the Maine Lake Science Center for changes in the way we exercise stewardship. dozens of classrooms because field trips and as the next logical step in LEA’s strategic development An Advisory Board has been formed with researchers hands-on learning are in decline. We use the Next from Maine to California who represent a full range of Generation Science Standards to design all and a rare opportunity to accomplish our mission disciplines to guide this process. The Maine Lake curriculums. These materials are readily shared before irreversible damage is done. Science Center will be a powerful voice for change with other groups and schools throughout Maine. LEA has refined a budget of $408,000 for the purchase of the property and construction work. This throughout Maine and beyond. • Decision makers, municipal boards and land use figure assumes significant in-kind labor to do This summer, LEA will purchase 17 acres of professionals will be engaged through training demolition of interior walls, basic carpentry and woodlands abutting Pondicherry Park from the Flint workshops. The Flint property will offer the painting. $175,000 was slated for property purchase. Site work for a parking area, access road upgrade and new septic system will cost an estimated $75,500. The remaining $157,500 will cover building reconstruction and furnishings. Cost estimates have been generated after consultations with local contractors. Sustainability of the Center will be accomplished primarily through collaborative grants with colleges and universities targeting natural resource research and education. We already have strong relationships with several institutions and the University of Southern Maine is working with us to explore the establishment of a regional collaborative for place-based learning and research. A $400,000 endowment will be established to cover basic operating costs, facility maintenance and to endow a staff researcher. We will begin regional fundraising this summer and hope to have the Center operational by 2015. LEA has researched the operations and management of similar organizations in other states, thoughtfully and thoroughly planned the development of the Center, and has assembled the critical personnel resources necessary to carry out its development. The Center is an exciting but crucial step in LEA’s long tradition of lake protection. Our loyal supporters have brought us to the point where we can develop this remarkable dream and accomplish it for the sake of our lakes and future generations. Our lead gift for the Center has already come from the anonymous foundation that has provided support for LEA’s Milfoil Team, our lake researcher, Pondicherry Park, a remote sensing buoy and LEA educators.