A Publication of the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program

Vol. 17, No. 2 Provided free of charge to our monitors and affiliates Fall 2012 Inside: Welcome New Monitors . . 8 Thank You Donors! . . . . 10 2012 Annual Conference . . 12 Lakes at the Tipping Point? . 14 VLMP Advisory Board . . . 16 Brackett Center News . . . 20

VLMP Mission Statement The Mission of the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program is to help protect Maine lakes through widespread citizen participation in the gathering and dissemination of credible scientific information pertaining to lake health. The VLMP trains, certifies and provides technical support to hundreds of volunteers who monitor a wide range of indicators of water quality, assess watershed health and function, and screen lakes for invasive aquatic plants and animals. In addition to being the primary source of lake data in the State of Maine, VLMP volunteers benefit their local lakes by playing key stewardship and leadership roles in their communities . What’s Inside President's Message ...... 2 President’s Lakeside Notes ...... 3 Littorally Speaking ...... 4 Quality Counts! ...... 6 2012 Interns ...... 7 Message Welcome New Monitors . . . . 8 Thank You Donors! ...... 10 Mary Jane Dillingham 2012 Annual Conference . . . . 12 President, VLMP Board of Directors Lakes at the Tipping Point? . . . 14 VLMP Advisory Board . . . . . 16 Passings ...... 18 Over the Tipping Point The VLMP and the DEP played Brackett Center Updates . . . . 20 important roles in the water utilities’ e often don’t truly appreciate response. Without the data gathered Wthe value of what we have through the VLMP, we would be in until it’s gone. For reasons that are the position of not having sufficient not clear, one of Maine’s highest- historical information to analyze value lakes went over the tipping what had occurred. VLMP staff point this year, and is now in crisis. worked with the water district to inform the surrounding communities VLMP Staff has been the drinking about the highly unusual event. I Scott Williams Executive Director water supply for Lewiston and have been a volunteer monitor for Roberta Hill Invasive Species Program Director Auburn for more than 100 years. Lake Auburn since I began my Jonnie Maloney Program Coordinator The lake has been considered employment with the water utility Christine Guerette Program Assistant to have above-average water Linda Bacon QA/QC Advisor (Maine DEP) many years ago, and I am incredibly quality, compared to other Maine grateful that my employers fully lakes, based on excellent Secchi Board of Directors support the monitoring efforts on Mary Jane Dillingham, President (Auburn) transparency, relatively low algae our lake. Bill Monagle, Vice President (Winthrop) growth, and high levels of dissolved Lew Wetzel, Treasurer (Casco) oxygen throughout the summer We are working with every Phoebe Hardesty, Secretary (New Gloucester) months, supporting a prized cold available tool to understand what Malcolm Burson (Portland) water fishery of trophy Salmon and is happening, and hopefully to George Cross (Sangerville) Togue (Lake Trout). Sibyl French (Raymond) find a set of solutions to save Lake Auburn from further decline. We Norton 'Buzz' Lamb (New Gloucester) But during the past several years, Gerry Nelson (Lovell) highly value our lake for supporting Matt Scott (Belgrade) algae growth has increased a healthy coldwater fishery and Clyde Walton (Fayette) measurably, especially Gloeotrichia pristine drinking water that requires echinulata, which has also been on relatively little treatment. Advisory Board the increase in other Maine lakes. Holly Ewing Peter Vaux (Chair) In 2011, the lake became anoxic C. Barre Hellquist Ken Wagner More than ever, I appreciate the Martha Kirkpatrick Pixie Williams (zero dissolved oxygen) just below work of more than a thousand VLMP David Littell the thermocline for more than 10 volunteers, who monitor several weeks, and a severe algal bloom hundred Maine lakes. But I worry Editorial Staff occurred in late summer. In 2012, that there are still so many lakes that Scott Williams Jonnie Maloney, Layout the scenario worsened. Once again, are not being monitored. I encourage Roberta Hill Christine Guerette an algae bloom occurred, and all of you to spread the word about dissolved oxygen levels plummeted the work of the VLMP, and ask for To Contact Us 24 Maple Hill Road so severely that many lake trout died. your help in recruiting additional Auburn, Maine 04210 The fish kill caught the attention it volunteer lake monitors, so that we 207-783-7733 deserved from agencies, the public can better understand and protect the [email protected] and the Press. This unprecedented legacy of Maine’s clear, clean lakes. www.MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors.org event stunned everyone! Funding for this newsletter is made possible by grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Printed and mailed by Penmor Lithographers, Lewiston, ME

2 Lakeside Notes Maine’s Lakes Program: United We Stand!

aine’s “Lakes Program” came into DEP and the University of Maine and Mbeing a little more than four decades other educational institutions began to ago, as the public increasingly became tackle the complex technical, social and aware of threats to our exceptionally clear, economic elements of long-term lake clean lakes. The growing concern for the management and protection. County By Scott Williams future of Maine lakes contributed to the Soil and Water Conservation Districts VLMP Executive Director formation of three statewide entities that developed programs to address lake spirit, resulting in a powerful, cohesive continue to play key roles in the effort to watershed assessment and protection; and sustainable force. ensure that our lakes will remain among the Cobbossee Watershed District was the healthiest in the nation. The Maine formed in response to declining lake water But the world is changing in many Department of Environmental Protection, quality in a group of lakes near Augusta, ways. In recent years, the tight economy the Congress of Lake Associations, and and water utilities that withdraw public has created an environment that seems the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring drinking water from lakes recognized the to favor competition for dwindling Program, were then, as they are today, value of maintaining clean lakes. resources over collaboration and the backbone of the statewide effort to cooperation Despite this, and despite During the past four decades, Maine’s . sustain the health of our lakes. Each our collective and individual challenges, lakes program has been further enriched organization brings something unique to I sincerely believe that there could be through the formation of many lake the table, and together we have created a no better time for us to hold our course. and watershed associations. Lakes public/private partnership that is the envy Indeed, if we are wise, we will actually Environmental Association was among of many of our counterparts across North find ways to use these challenges to our the first, followed later by such groups as America: one that encompasses broad advantage, to strengthen and build upon Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, Raymond technical expertise, regulatory authority, our collaborative ties. If we do this, I Waterways Protective Association, and stakeholder advocacy, vibrant volunteer am confident that we will not only find 30-Mile River Watershed Association. service, and diverse sources of funding new efficiencies through the sharing of and program support. Maine’s lakes program has become living resources, knowledge, experience and technology that will get us through these Over the decades since these three proof of the wisdom of Aristotle’s claim challenging times, but we will also create entities were formed, a number of that “The whole is greater than the sum a more resilient, more successful and additional lake-focused programs have of its parts.” All of the individual parts of more hopeful lakes community. United come into being. Researchers at the Maine’s “lakes community” have worked in concert, with a strong collaborative we stand!

Attention Lake Monitors: Are You Worried About Being Replaced by a Satellite?

Recently, we have heard from a few volunteer taking Secchi disk (and other) readings on site at monitors who have wondered if information about your lake. lakes obtained through satellite imagery might render their work unnecessary or obsolete. The Researcher Ian McCullough, who has worked with unequivocal answer to this question is NO! satellite data for Maine lakes during the past few years, made this point clearly in a presentation on Satellite imagery data will enable us to gather the topic at the VLMP Annual Conference in July. information on lakes that are currently not For more information on Ian’s presentation, click being monitored because of inaccessibility on the following link from the VLMP website: and other reasons. It also enhances the information that you gather on the water. http://www.mainevlmp.org/wp/?page_id=150#Satellite But satellites must be calibrated, or “ground truthed”, which can only be accomplished by

3 Littorally Speaking VLMP’s Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) Sustainability Initiative ~ How Are We Doing? e have said it before . . . When of the ‘new and improved’ IPP structure Wthe VLMP achieves its ultimate are now in place, and the result is a goal as an organization, virtually every system that encourages, supports and lake in the State of Maine will have celebrates volunteer leadership at every by Roberta Hill one or more water quality monitors level. Certified Invasive Plant Patrollers, VLMP Invasive Species and an active team of trained Invasive IPP Lake Team Leaders, IPP Leaders at Program Director Plant Patrollers routinely monitoring its the Regional and Statewide levels are all health. This statewide cadre of dedicated working in concert to establish one of are opting for certification (a measure volunteers, will be trained, supported and the largest, most comprehensive, citizen- both of commitment and dedication to sustained by a well-organized, integrated, based statewide invasive aquatic plant excellence); the system for providing collaborative system involving the early detection system in the nation. technical assistance and quality assurance VLMP, local, county and State agencies, has been greatly enhanced; volunteer trained volunteer coordinators, local lake And though these are still “early days” for this initiative, the benefits to Maine engagement and contribution at every and watershed associations, and regional level has increased; program efficiency lake conservation groups. lakes, and to all who care about them, are already obvious. More invasive across the board has improved. It was with this goal in mind that two aquatic plant screening surveys are So how are we doing? We invite you to years ago the VLMP launched its being done; more IPP lake teams have check out our photo journal of 2012 IPP Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) Sustainability become activated; workshop attendance activity, and then decide for yourself! Initiative. With your help, many elements is rising; more workshop attendees

There is no better way to ensure the sustainability of the IPP effort moving forward than to Engage the Next Generation in this important (and really fun!) work. The community of North Anson has come up 2012 was another banner year with an excellent way to engage youth in their local Invasive for Maine’s Invasive Plant Patrol Plant Patrol. It started when Carrabec High School science with 313 individuals attending teacher Sue Hellewell and Embden Pond IPP Team Leader one or more IPP workshops, and Mike Whitmore joined forces to organize an IPP Workshop at record numbers (over the school. Students, teachers, and lake association one third) opting for IPP Certification. members attended this lively evening training. The next step To date over 3000 people, across the was to organize the survey. Embden Lake was divided into State of Maine, have been 12 sectors and newly trained students were paired with lake trained through the VLMPs association members to conduct a comprehensive Level 3 IPP program. The VLMP invasive aquatic plant screening survey on the pond, offers a variety of training followed by a community barbeque. The day was a great opportunities for everyone success! New friends were made; no invasives were found; from novice to expert. native plants samples were taken and photographed; everyone had fun and learned a great deal. Data from the survey is being compiled by Carrabec HS stu- dents this fall and the results will be put online and published to serve as a guide for future surveys.

4 IPP Plant Paddles are an excellent way IPP Leadership is growing by leaps Maine now has over 90 IPP Lake Teams. Hosting an to engage one’s community in the hunt and bounds - Since the start of the IPP workshop on their lake this summer, IPP Leaders for aquatic invaders. Here Certified IPPs IPP Sustainability Initiative, over 100 on helped to train many new recruits! Debbie Hite and Lidie Robbins provide trained IPPs have attended some orientation to a group of Plant Paddlers form of VLMP leadership enhance- at an event sponsored by 30-Mile River ment event. Events include How to Watershed Association. Participants Conduct a Plant Paddle, The Scope from three area lakes attended: Clinic, and IPP Leaders Roundtable Androscoggin, Lovejoy, and Pocasset

Increasingly volunteer IPPs are taking on IPP Team Leader and this leadership roles at the regional level as well. year’s “IPP of the Year” Lea Stabin- Here Regional IPP Coordinator for Somerset Lovell’s Invasive Plant Prevention Committee ski, sharing her knowledge of the local and Piscataquis Counties, Kay Johnson, IPP Leaders set off with a group of paddlers aquatic plants with her neighbors at welcomes attendees to the workshop she for one of several of their Eyes on the Water this summer’s Echo Lake Plant Paddle helped to coordinate in Greenville Plant Paddles in the Kezar Lake watershed

The VLMP initiated the Moosehead Lake Invasive Plant Patrol Jump-Start in 2008, for the purpose of 1) “jump-starting” citizen-based lake monitoring in a region where such activity was currently lacking, and 2) screening Moosehead Lake for the presence of invasive aquatic plants. Over past five years, the Moosehead Lake Invasive Plant Patrol Jump-Start team (comprised primarily of Certified IPPs, with state agency personnel and VLMP staff) has scoured the shoreline of Moosehead Lake for aquatic invaders (happily finding NONE); conducted a comprehensive inventory of Moosehead Lake’s native aquatic plants (finding MANY -- 110 species!); and worked to engage the local community in efforts to prevent the spread of this aquatic invaders to this ecologically-rich and economically-vital region of the State. This year, videographer Steve Underwood joined the team and captured the story in extraordinary high-definition footage taken on, around, and under the surface of Moosehead Lake. The resulting VLMP documentary “The Hunt for Aquatic Invaders” is scheduled for release this spring.

SAVE THE DATE! 2013 Invasive Plant Patrol Leaders Roundtable Friday, March 22 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Auburn Public Library

5 QualityQuality Counts!Counts!

ust one more. As the boating water is to be avoided at all costs. If Jseason winds down, you may be you have already turned in your last wondering if you should take just one data sheet, just put the reading on the more Secchi Disk reading on your lake. first sheet you turn in next year. The simple answer is “yes”- providing that you can do so safely. We have The final touch… Winter preparations always recommended that volunteers for a volunteer monitor have a few extra collect transparency data for at least steps that will keep your equipment in five months during the open water good repair. First, remember to remove season. Until about a decade ago, ice equipment from your boat. Inspect the went out in late April and was back Secchi Disk. If the black and white by Linda Bacon on the lake sometime in December; quadrants are discolored and can’t be VLMP Quality Assurance Officer; we expected that the five months of cleaned, request a “disk freshen-up” Maine Department of Environmental data collection would occur from May sticker from the program and install Protection, Aquatic Biologist through October. In recent years, ice it before next season. Check the measuring tape for tears; if torn more has disappeared four to six weeks the probe with distilled water, allowing than a quarter of the way, request a new earlier in the spring and has formed to dry, then covering the probe with a tape. If any tiny tears are found, a small four to six weeks later. The timing of piece of plastic. Any other monitoring piece of electrical tape positioned over these phenomena results in a longer equipment should be cleaned with the tear to reinforce the tape will extend ice-free season which can in turn, affect distilled water, inspected then stored, the life of the tape. If the tape reel does the timing of biological and physical preferably in a plastic bag to protect it not operate smoothly, you might need processes. So if you are wondering if from dust. Equipment should always to pull out all of the tape and lubricate one extra reading early in the season or be stored in a dry location, ideally in a the winding mechanism with silicone a couple extras late in the season would heated space. be useful, the answer is absolutely! Just (silicone spray is available at most please make sure you can obtain them hardware stores). Thank you for another successful year safely as accidental immersion in cold of monitoring! The data you collect is Clean your view scope and cover the invaluable and irreplaceable. Without open end with plastic held on with a your eyes on Maine’s lakes, water large elastic. This will keep out dust and quality tracking would be impossible. most of the spiders. If you use a depth You know “your” lake better than we meter having internal batteries, remove can ever possibly hope to, and, your the batteries before storing the device. collection of scientifically credible data Similarly, if you use a temperature/ allows us to make comparisons among dissolved oxygen meter, remove the lakes and track trends. Remember to batteries before storage; also follow sign up for re-certification in the spring the manufacturer’s recommendations of 2013 so that we keep our Quality for winterizing the probe - which Assured stamp of approval! generally consists of removing the

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net membrane or membrane cap, rinsing

Don't Forget to Keep Track of Your Lake's Ice Cover Winter is fast approaching, and for lake-conscious folks out) data, when paired with water quality readings, may that means one thing: ice cover is coming! Ice-in and ice- improve our understanding of the relationship between out records have been kept by generations of Mainers, the duration of ice cover and water quality. and for many lakes there is a long history, in some cases stretching back to the mid-1800’s. The VLMP keeps alive You can report ice-in and ice-out via e-mail directly to the tradition of documenting ice cover, and acts asa [email protected], or you can report by phone state repository for these records. Your ice-in (and ice- at 207-783-7733.

6 2012 Interns This year I am a senior at , I graduated in 2009 from Monmouth completing a degree in Environmental Academy and will be graduating in Studies with a concentration in Geology. May, 2013 from Colby College with My courses have taken me to the White a degree in Environmental Studies. Mountains of NH, all the way to the This was my second summer working Southern Rockies, each adding to my for the Volunteer Lake Monitoring environmental interests. This diverse lab Program and the Maine Department experience has allowed me to realize my of Environmental Protection. My specific interest in water quality, especially love of Maine and the outdoors have Maine lakes. After working within the made my time at the VLMP even IPP program at the VLMP, I was able to more valuable. see how communities can be mobilized I began working in the lakes field in for the protection of lakes. Assisting with Jamey Epstein 2009 as a Courtesy Boat Inspector Garrison Beck the workshops this summer was a great for the Friends of the Cobbossee experience, especially traveling to parts of the state I haven't been to Watershed. Since that time, I have had the pleasure to meet and work before! I also had the pleasure of joining the Moosehead Lake invasive with many of the most prominent lake monitors and scientists in the aquatic plant survey that the VLMP conducted this August. state. I am also proud to have worked with such influential programs that are constantly monitoring the health of our natural environment Working at the VLMP afforded me the opportunity to see the hurdles a for the people of Maine. Throughout my time with the VLMP and small non-profit organization must overcome to make a program both DEP, I have learned and refined skills that will aid in my search for efficient and effective-- two terms I would use to describe the program. employment in the environmental protection field and will serve as The team at the VLMP works hard to promote environmental activism an excellent beginning to my professional career. through training water quality and invasive species monitors, and deeply cares about protecting Maine lakes. A special thanks to the many volunteers that support the hard work the VLMP does for the lakes of Maine!

Bates College students Deanna Lorenzo (L) and Cat Dioli (R) joined the VLMP this spring for a six-week internship. Both Cat and Deanna are majoring in Environmental Studies, and were invaluable in helping prepare for the 2012 monitoring season. Many thanks, Deanna and Cat!

e have some very sad news to share: Our official mascot and greeter, WCharlie, passed away in early October, due to cancer. Charlie was very fortunate to have gotten a job with the VLMP, and he came to work every day full of smiles and energy, and was always eager to help clean up after lunch.

Chuck also enjoyed helping the interns, greeting delivery personnel, and assisting with workshops, fundraisers, and board meetings.

Over the years, Charlie charmed his way into the hearts of many, and he even won over a few "cat people" with his warm, friendly and sunny disposition.

Our furry friend will truly be missed~

7 new Monitors certified in 2012

Doug Faille; Cushman Pond Debbi Farrell; Cobbosseecontee Lake John Farrell; Cobbosseecontee Lake Hannah Faulkner; Taylor (Mill) Pond Jon Findlay; Damariscotta Lake Amanda Findlay; Damariscotta Lake Barbara Fivek; Kennebago Lake (Big) Rich Fivek; Kennebago Lake (Big) Karen Foggin; Piper Pond Donna Ford; Range Pond (Upper) Pete Adams; Adams Pond (Rock Haven) Rich Fortier; Sabbathday Lake Carmen Adams; Adams Pond(Rock Haven) George Gilbert; Adams Pond (Rock Haven) David G. Allen; Saint George Lake Frank Gilcreast; Ossipee Lake (Little) Greg Andrews; Eliza Greenman; Damariscotta Lake Elyse Andrews; Rangeley Lake Scott Gregory; Cushman Pond Ken Astor; Rangeley Lake Alan Gregory; Sabbathday Lake Chris Astor; Rangeley Lake Lisa Hall; Crescent Lake Catherine Baker; Rangeley Lake Kevin Harding; Kezar Lake Stu Belden; Sabbathday Lake Nancy Hart; 5 Kezar Ponds Linda Bisson; Adams Pond (Rock Haven) Steve Hesseltine; Pleasant River Lake Jim Buck; Cushman Pond Kevin Hill; Whittier Pond Marian Budzyna; Adams Pond (Rock Haven) Paula Hughes Nini Christensen; Rangeley Lake Tom Hughes; Kezar Lake Peter Christensen; Rangeley Lake Steve Huss; Highland Lake Joan Cloutier; Sabbathday Lake David James; Dodge Pond Nicholas Cody; Thomas Pond Sara James; Dodge Pond Thomas Colavito; Pleasant River Lake Linda Jellison; Toddy Pond Ed "Sonny" Colburn; Youngs & Beech Hill Ponds Phil Jellison; Toddy Pond Britnie Coldwell; Embden Pond Matt Johnson; Sabbathday Lake Bill Cotter; Abrams Pond Charlotte Jones; Estes Lake Abby Cough; Panther Pond Barbara Jonsson; Branch Lake Darren Cox; Alford Lake Alexa Currier; Ossipee Lake (Little) Nick Deroo; Ossipee Lake (Little) Brian DesGrosseilliers; Ossipee Lake (Little) Laura Diemer; Bauneag Beg & Kezar Lakes Ross Dindio; Ossipee Lake (Little) Randy Domina; Boyd Pond Karin Draper; Panther Pond Thomas Dudac; Wilson Pond (Lower) Sarah Duff; Somes Pond Matthew Duggan Joan Dunlap; Rangeley Lake Catherine Erdman; Varnum Pond Chris Everett; Embden Pond

Reminder to all Volunteer Lake Monitors: Help ensure the 2012 Maine Lakes Report will be complete by sending in your data! 8 Peggy Kaufman; Wassookeag Lake Andree Pride Connie Keefe; Piper Pond Jeffrey Pride Joan Kelly; Bear Pond (Big) John Quinn; Tripp Pond Cindy Kennett; Shelley Rau; Sandy Bottom Pond Kip Kennett; Mooselookmeguntic Lake Pat Rochkind; Pocasset Lake Katie King; Embden Pond Mark Rochkind; Pocasset Lake Catherine King; Kennebago Lake (Big) Betty Ryder; Wilson Pond (Lower) Barbara Kinney; David Pond Haley Ryder; Wilson Pond (Lower) "BJ" Kittredge; Echo Lake (Crotched Pond) Doug Sears; Embden Pond Lucy LaCasse; Kezar Lake Ray Senecal; Kezar Lake Stu Lamont; Ossipee Lake (Little) Darren Sheridan; Embden Pond Deb Landreville; Kennebago Lake (Big) Jeff Smith; Toddy Pond Lucy Leaf; Toddy Pond Cleo Smith; Ossipee Lake (Little) Paul Leeper; Megunticook Lake & Norton Pond Jane Smith; Kennebunk Pond Mike Little; Lily Pond Richard Spencer; Pocasset Lake Rob Lovell; Megunticook Lake &Norton Pond Debby Spurlock; Long Pond Joan Lundin; Keewaydin & Kezar Lakes Brian Steinwand; Indian Ponds (Big & Little) Stephen Markarian; Saturday Pond Tamara Stock; Pemaquid Pond Carolynn Marsh; Sabbathday Lake Ed Swain; Mooselookmeguntic Lake Allen Marsh; Sabbathday Lake Michael Taflas; Ossipee Lake (Little) Anne Maurice; Sabbathday Lake Tony Tedeschi; Adams Pond (Rock Haven) Carol McGuckin; Mooselookmeguntic Lake Barbara Tedesco; Patten Pond (Lower) Bill McGuckin; Mooselookmeguntic Lake Pat Tedesco; Patten Pond (Lower) Lana McPherson; Taylor (Mill) Pond Hall Thompson; Panther Pond Ellen Moore; Green Lake Nat Thompson; Kennebago Lake (Big) Harry "Bud" Moore; Green Lake Ashanah Tripp; Kezar Lake Richard Morse; Kennebunk Pond Audie Tunney; Green Lake Gino Nalli; Mooselookmeguntic Lake Kay Van Woert; Whittier Pond Robert Nyland; Adams Pond (Rock Haven) Ned Van Woert; Whittier Pond Pat Onion; Flying Pond Rick West; Pickerel Pond Tom O'Rourke; Kennebago Lake (Big) Maureen West; Pickerel Pond Jody O'Rourke; Kennebago Lake (Big) Norman E. White, Jr.; Wassookeag Lake Richard Page; Sebec Lake Greg Whitney; Sabbathday Lake Deb Parkin; Great East Lake Dick Wigton; Rangeley Lake Cynthia Peedin; Bauneag Beg Lake Bruce Wilson; Whitney Pond Jessica Pierce; Adams Pond (Rock Haven) Sylvia Wilson; Whitney Pond John C. Pierce; Adams Pond (Rock Haven) Richard Windecker; Pocasset Lake John M. Pierce; Adams Pond (Rock Haven) Pat Windecker; Pocasset Lake Melissa Pink; Roberts & Wadley Ponds Michele Windsor; Stearns Pond David Zeboski; Black Lake

9 Thank You! To Our Generous 2012* Donors Individuals ~ Anonymous Donors Robert & Sibyl French Gerry & Meg Nelson Martin & Fiora Arnold Yolande Gay Steve & Karen O'Bryan William Atwater Frank Getchell Daniel Orino Linda Bacon Robert Giencke Mr. & Mrs. Thomas B. O'Rourke Susan Bailey William Gies II Karen & David Packhem Pat Baldwin Jim & Diane Gloriant Donald & Barbara Paiton John Banton John A. & Janene Gorham Rodger & Patricia Patterson Marygrace & Peter Barber Ed & Sandy Graham Dennis & Sandy Phillips Skip & Claudette Bartosch Christine Guerette Tamara Lee & Jeff Pinard Caroline Beard & Peter Duffey Dan & Lori Guerette Joseph J. & Kathleen A. Potts Mike Becker Bart Hague Waldo & Carolyn Preble Ewald & Susan Bender John F. Hale Jr. Lea & José Ramirez Michael & Joanne Bernstein Bob & Janet Hall J. Chase Rand Bill Blaine Ian R. Hardesty David A. Raye John & Mary Bogar Phoebe Hardesty Jeanne Raymond Phil & Claudette Boissonneault Jim & Martha Hart Frank Read Jim & Sue Bowersett Sue & Clayton Harvey William Reid Lucinda Brandt & Dan Wheatley Elin Haugen Ginny Remeika & Jim Burke Robert Breen & Deborah Wade Roberta Hill Linda Rice Hubene & Carlton Brodie David & Janette Hodsdon Dennis Roberge Christine Bruenn & W. Bogan Brooks Roberta Hodson Caroline & Hugh Savage Warren & Bethany Bryant Kenneth Holt John & Claudia Scholz Daniel E. & Mary L. Buckley Ellie Hopkins Maggie Shannon Gary & Mary Bucklin Linda Ilse Keith & Ellen Shaughnessy Joe Bukata Neil & Peggy Jensen Alison Smith Malcolm Burson & Eleanor Goldberg Richard A. Johnson Rick & Becky Southwick Mary Bussell Denise Joy & Fred Flammia Christie & Phil Souza Charlotte & John Calhoun John & Polly Kaiser Christine Ann Stevens Amy Campbell Donald Kale Nancy & Fred Stine Liz Carter Peter & Linda Kallin Bob & Peggy Susbury Katie Carville Eileen Kirby Michael Taflas Heidi Chadbourne Ed & Carol Knapp Dick & Jo Thibodeau Katharine Chaiklin Ralph G. Knowles Eben B. & Susan Thomas Charles Chapman Norton "Buzz" Lamb Mr. & Mrs. George Tranchemontagne Jennifer & Jerrold Cohen David Landry Brainard Tripp George A. Cross, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Landry Mark & Kathy Tripp Georgann & Alan Dickey John E. Laskey Rob True Mary Jane Dillingham William & Christina Latham Kenneth D. Truscott, Jr. Thomas A. Dionis Peter & Kathleen Leslie Kay & Ned Van Woert Deidre & Michael Donovan Marsha & Leo Letourneau Herman & Nancy Voigt Joel & Rosemarie Dulberg Mary Griffith Lynch Dennis & Leslie Volpe Sandra & Donald Dumont John V. Maloney Clyde D. Walton Cynthia & Bob Dunlap Jonnie Maloney Bob & Jackie Warren Ann M. Dyer Betty Mason Dana & Barbara J. Waugh Joe Emerson Judith F. McGeorge Michael & Penny Weinstein Jim & Aubrie Entwood James & Jean McIntyre John & Cheryl Welch Eileen & Ron Epstein Karen McLean F. W. Weston, Jr. Josephine Ewing Richard S. Meyer Lew & Miriam Wetzel Laurence & Bonnie Faiman Paul Mitnik Roberta Weymouth Eileen Fair Bill Monagle Willis & Ellie White Dr. Roy & Ruth Farnsworth Audrey R. & Roger Moody Dick Wigton Bruce Fenn & Susan Therrien-Fenn Earl & Joanne Morse G.E. Mary Williams Thomas & Gail Finlay Thomas & Brenda Mower Robert & Ann Williams Katherine & Charles Flood Janet & Paul Murphy Scott Williams C K Florkiewicz Richard Neal Len & Mary Winsky

10 * List is current as of November 17, 2012 Thank You! To Our Generous 2012 Donors Lake & Regional Watershed Associations Alford Lake/Lermond Pond Association Howard Pond Preservation Association Pemaquid Watershed Association Improvement Corporation Keoka Lake Association Pequawket Lake Preservation Association Bauneg Beg Lake Association, Inc. Lake Anasagunticook Association Piper Pond Association Bear Pond Improvement Association Lake Webb Association Pleasant Lake & Association Cathance Lake Association Lake Wesserunsett Association Pleasant Pond Protective Association Clearwater Lake Improvement Association Lakeville Camp Owners Association Sabbathday Lake Association Clemons Pond Association Little Ossipee Lake Association Sand-Locke Pond Association Craig Pond Association Long Pond Association Saturday Pond Watershed Association Dexter Lakes Association Loon Lake Association Silver Lake Campowners Association Echo Lake Association Meddybemps Lake Association Summer Haven Lakes Association Five Kezars Watershed Association Mousam Lake Region Association Taylor Pond Association Georges Pond Property Owners Association Nickerson Lake Wilderness Preservation, Inc Thomas Pond Terrace Association, Inc. Great East Lake Improvement Association No Name Pond Watershed Mgmt. Assoc. Thompson Lake Environmental Association Green & Mirror Ponds Association Panther Pond Association Washington Lakes Watershed Association Green Lake Association Parker Pond Association, Inc. Wilson Lake Association In Memory of Ron Schutt Businesses & Water Districts Andre Aflalo Androscoggin Bank Morris Amar & Linda Stetson Amar Auburn Water District Frank & Janice Bauchiero DeLorme Bob & Mary Ann Chaffee Google, Inc. T. Jewell Collins Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company Paige Darden Hammond Lumber Company Bob & Esther Davenport Hannaford Supermarkets Jean A. Forshay IBM Corporation Carol Gestwicki Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission Leigh Gilbert The Maine Water Company Russell S. Goodwin Patagonia Rick & Louise Johnson Poland Spring Edward F. Lynch, Jr. & Connie McCarthy Portland Water District Ivy P. McDonough Seacoast Management Company Norma M. McGowan Shaw's Supermarkets Diana & Jim Obbard Water Monitoring Equipment & Supply Aspasia Papanastassiou Nancy & Tony Petrous Foundations Special Donations Susan & Robert Reynolds The Betterment Fund Little Wilson Pond Improvement Association; Shirley & Wayne Ricker Casco Bay Estuary Partnership in Memory of Rolande LaPointe Thomas Rose Elmina B. Sewall Foundation in Memory of Norman Joseph Marquis Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Schilling Ram Island Conservation Fund of Winthrop & Anne Smith; John Shambroom & Donna Savastio the Maine Community Foundation in Honor of Ross Wescott Victoria & John Smith Roy A. Hunt Foundation Judith Stone Quimby Family Foundation David Lerner Associates Massachusetts Institute of Technology Major Funding Research, Development, & Technical Em- In Kind Major funding for the VLMP is made ployees' Union And for those of you who have possible by grants from the US Environmental University of Maine Alumni Association donated your time, expertise, and Protection Agency and the Maine Department dedication to the work of the VLMP of Environmental Protection, through Section in the past year – many thanks! 319 of the Clean Water Act.

* List is current as of November 17, 2012 11 2012 Lake Monitoring Conference :

Invasive Plant Patrol Team of the Year, members Thank you to our generous sponsors for (R-L) Ken Stabinski, Dan Konieczko, & Lea Stabinski the wonderful door prizes!

VLMP Staff & Interns (L-R) Jonnie Maloney, Jamey Epstein, Christine Guerette, and Garrison Beck

5 Year Service Award recipients (L-R) Dennis 10 Year Service Award recipients (L-R) Willis Roberge, Bob French, Sibyl French, Sandy Graham, White, Ryan Burton, & Sue Motley Ed Graham, Denis Coffey, and Rob True

Speaker Linda Bacon presented Climate Change & Maine Lakes: Observations and Expectations

20 Year Service Award recipient Estes Lake monitors Rick & Bert Breton (center) Becky Southwick

Panther Pond monitor and VLMP Speaker Ian McCullough Coordinator, Charlie Turner, with shared Integrating his wife, Dottie Citizen Science and Satellite-Based Remote Sensing for Monitoring of Maine’s Lakes

Rebecca Kurtz (center) from Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust received the Outstanding Regional Invasive Plant Patrol Leadership Award along with other RLHT members (R-L) Sue Motley, Willis White, John Scholz, Claudia Scholz, and Ellie White (second from left)

Many thanks to VLMP For detailed information on the annual conference Board members Sibyl French (L) and Phoebe and links to the full presentations, please visit Hardesty (R) for putting together quite a spread! http://www.mainevlmp.org/wp/?page_id=150 12 New Horizons for Volunteer Lake Monitoring

George Cross, VLMP Board member and former Center Jim Paruk shared his research Charles Chapman (R) Pond monitor, receives Lifetime on Feathered Fish! Loon receives 15 Year Service Achievement Award Research & Conservation Award from Scott Williams 30 Year Service Award recipient Bill Mann (R), pictured with monitor Elizabeth Payne (L), accepting same award on behalf of her father, Will Reid

35 Year Service Award recipients Charles McClead (L-R) VLMP Board Vice President Bill (L) and Rick Offinger (R) Monagle, with Highland Lake monitors Ralph Johnston and John Wilcox

Marsha Letourneau, Invasive Plant Patroller of the Year (center), with Roberta Hill & Scott Williams

15 Year Service Award recipients (L-R) VLMP Coordinator George Bouchard, Emile Nicol, Mike Guest speakers brought in a full house! Whitmore, Thomas Hamilton, and Gerry Nelson

SAVE THE DATE! VLMP ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2013 Be sure to save the date for next year's Annual Lake Monitoring Conference. It will once again be held at the popular venue The Great Outdoors, located in Turner, Maine.

As we get closer to the conference, details will be posted on our website, and VLMP "Kids" in the big chair (L-R): Invasive Species Program Director we'll send out an email reminder to everyone on our mailing list. We hope to Roberta Hill, Executive Director see you there! Scott Williams, & Board President Mary Jane Dillingham 13 The 2012 Monitoring Season: By Scott Williams Lakes at the Tipping Point? VLMP Executive Director he 2012 lake monitoring will not of algae along the shoreline of shallow Tsoon be forgotten. Throughout the coves. Kathleen Cotter on Abrams Pond summer, VLMP and DEP staff responded in Eastbrook reported a severe algae bloom to volunteer monitor reports of unusual (Secchi reading of 2.0 meters, or less) that conditions and unprecedented phenomena persisted through most of the summer. on lakes throughout the state of Maine. Brian Friedmann on George’s Pond in A number of lake monitors reported Franklin reported a similar intense bloom accumulations of various forms of algae of lengthy duration. It is interesting, and along lake shorelines where they had telling, that reports were received of better not been observed before. Late summer than average Secchi readings for lakes in dissolved oxygen levels were lower than an area of Washington County that didn’t historical averages in some lakes, and Severe algae blooms like this one on Sabattus receive the heavy June rain. severe algae blooms were documented in Pond, typically occur when phosphorus levels Lake Auburn may have exhibited the lakes that had not been known to bloom are high, and water temperatures are warmest during late summer most dramatic conditions of the summer. previously. These preliminary findings are Historically, this lake, which is the public based on early reports from a small number season, extending the period of time when water supply for the cities of Lewiston of lakes. A review of the all of the data the deepest, coldest layer of water would and Auburn, has been considered to have gathered statewide over the course of the be isolated from the atmosphere by several above average water quality, compared to open water season by VLMP volunteers weeks. This was followed by an extreme other Maine lakes. The long-term Secchi on several hundred additional lakes—just rain event in early June, during which some disk average for Lake Auburn, from 1977 now being collated and entered into the areas of the state received upwards of 8 through 2011 is 7.4 meters (very clear), system—may reveal that such phenomena inches of precipitation over a 2 day period. and the best readings for some years were, indeed, more widespread. Weather events such as this typically result in high velocity stormwater runoff, and lots have reached 11.0 meters. As would of phosphorus-rich soil erosion into lakes be expected with such excellent Secchi from their watersheds. Based on many readings, planktonic algae growth has been accounts from volunteer lake monitors, relatively low, and phosphorus levels have severe soil erosion did, indeed, occur in varied from low to moderate. Lake Auburn many lakes. That storm was followed by is widely known and highly-valued for its many days of high temperatures and bright healthy coldwater fishery, which consists sun. The combined effect of these unusual of Lake Trout (togue) and Salmon. These circumstances created ideal conditions for species can only thrive in lakes that retain algae growth in lakes. healthy levels of dissolved oxygen in the Most lakes experience thermal stratification By the end of June, during the summer months, during which a layer of warm, less dense water forms on volunteer monitors top of colder, denser water beneath in Southern Maine were reporting The open water season for Maine lakes came above average extremely early, with “ice-out” occurring surface water in the middle of March for most lakes, temperatures – as which meant opening up a solid month high as 80 degrees F., before their historical average. This was and below average due to unusually warm air temperatures in water clarity for March – reaching 80 degrees F. in southern their lakes. Cheryl Maine. Lake surface waters warmed up Welch on Crystal rapidly, and the penetration of sunlight into Lake in Gray, and the water very early in the spring, gave Bruce Micucci aquatic plant growth a head start on the on Little Sebago season. Not surprisingly, lakes stratified Lake both reported This graph documents the unusual course of the 2012 Secchi (developed temperature layers) early in the a c c u m u l a t i o n s transparency readings in Lake Auburn 14 deep, cold water during summer months. Gloeo monitoring protocol Historical late summer dissolved oxygen for volunteer lake monitors levels in Lake Auburn extending back to in 2012. New and existing the 1940’s have been relatively high, even water quality monitors are in the deepest areas of the lake. now being trained to identify, and estimate the density of But in 2011, Lake Auburn experienced this potentially troublesome a sudden and dramatic change. Secchi algae in their lakes. transparency peaked in July at 8.8 meters, followed by a free-fall to 1.9 meters in Why did this happen to Lake September, caused by a severe algae bloom. Auburn, as opposed to any As algal cells decomposed in the water, one of a number of lakes dissolved oxygen levels declined, reaching in Maine that were already critically low levels in late September. considered to be near the Fortunately, coldwater fish were able to Dissolved oxygen profile data for Lake Auburn during the “tipping point?” Shoreline 2012 monitoring season. Note the dramatic loss of oxygen survive in a narrow layer of cool water that occurred in areas of the lake deeper than ~25 feet in development is virtually where oxygen levels were slightly higher late summer nonexistent, except for areas – but it was a close call. A similar scenario in growth of the cyanobacterium (aka of Route 4 and a town road unfolded in 2012, but the early loss of ice bluegreen algae) Gloeotrichia echinulata that run along the waters’ edge. Large areas and abnormally high water temperatures in the lake. While “Gloeo” is not new to of the watershed are held in conservation in March increased the duration of the Maine lakes, it appears to be on the increase easement, and the Auburn Water District stratification period for Lake Auburn. in some, and it has been particularly dense in has, and continues to identify, and whenever Lake Auburn during the past few summers, possible, address sources of stormwater Why did this happen to Lake according to information gathered by runoff and phosphorus from land uses in the watershed. Auburn, as opposed to any one Auburn Water District lake monitors and researchers from Bates College. During Climatic changes and dramatic weather of a number of lakes in Maine the winter months, Gloeo colonies reside events can certainly influence lake health, that were already considered on the lake bottom, where they sequester and contribute to the short and long term phosphorus from the rich bottom sediments. to be near the “tipping point?" variability that we see in lake data. In 2012, In the spring, Gloeo rises to the lake surface the unusually early ice out and warm spring where it completes its life cycle. Some of temperatures, followed by very heavy rain, Once again, water clarity dropped to a the phosphorus carried from the lake bottom runoff and soil erosion, and hot, bright near historic low for the lake in September, may be released in this process, becoming summer days very likely had a significant and once again, dissolved oxygen levels available to other algae. Thus, the presence effect on the conditions documented in plummeted. But the combination of early of Gloeo on a large scale may have been Lake Auburn, as well as those in Abrams ice-out, unusually high warm air and water a significant factor in the algae bloom and and George’s Ponds. Thanks to the temperatures, and phosphorus loading oxygen loss in Lake Auburn. hundreds of volunteer monitors throughout from heavy rain caused the oxygen loss VLMP lake monitors who have attended Maine who gathered and documented to be even more severe than in 2011, workshops conducted on Lake Auburn information about their lakes, we will soon occurring more than a month earlier than during the past several years have had an know the extent to which similar conditions in 2011. The algae bloom may have been opportunity to observe Gloeo at close hand. occurred in other lakes throughout Maine. enhanced by phosphorus released from the Through a collaborative project with Bates It is possible that we will learn that some bottom sediments – a phenomenon that can College researcher, Holly Ewing, and lakes were clearer than average. be triggered by very low dissolved oxygen DEP lake biologists, the VLMP developed The accelerated decline of this lake is levels in the water overlying the sediments. truly a mystery, and it raises some difficult In early September, lake monitors reported questions. Are other similarly healthy, dead or dying Lake Trout floating on the clean, clear lakes also at risk of reaching water surface over a period of a few weeks. their tipping points? And if so, what can Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and be done about it? Data gathered by VLMP Wildlife (IF&W) Biologists visited the lake monitors, and their ability to sense lake soon after, and concluded that a high firsthand what is, and is not “normal” percentage of the lake trout population may for their lakes, will be essential to helping have died during the period. us find the answers to these critically Another factor that may have played a important questions. significant role in the rapid change that has taken place in Lake Auburn is the increase A high concentration of Gloeotrichia echinulata

15 VLMP Advisory he VLMP has formed an Advisory Board (AB) to provide welcome this group of respected and well-known professionals Tinput and guidance to the Board of Directors, staff to the organization, and we look forward to working with them and volunteer lake monitors on a wide range of technical, as volunteer lake monitoring in Maine continues to evolve. organizational and developmental matters. The group consists of individuals with unique expertise that is relevant to the David Littell serves as one of three operation and development of the program. We are pleased to Public Utilities Commissioners, appointed by Governor Baldacci and confirmed by the Maine Senate in Holly Ewing is an Associate Professor at 2010. At the PUC, he has been able Bates College where she is appointed to remain in the leadership of the as a scientist within the Environmental Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Studies Program. She teaches field which was formed when he was at DEP, continuing Maine’s participation classes in soils, water, ecosystem ecology, in the nine state greenhouse gas cap and general environmental science. and trade program. Prior to that, he Her research crosses fields of modern served as Maine’s Commissioner of ecosystem ecology, paleoecology, geology, Environmental Protection from 2005 and biogeochemistry as she investigates to 2010 following two years as DEP’s ecosystem development and linkages deputy commissioner. During those among atmospheric, terrestrial, and seven years of DEP service, David aquatic ecosystems. She is particularly was heavily involved in a number of interested in combining approaches from initiatives to protect significant wildlife habitats including wading, waterfowl, shorebird and vernal pool habitats, to improve Maine’s modern ecology and paleoecology in the water (and air) quality, and remove toxics from consumer products investigation of history and the drivers of and carry out Maine’s Climate Action Plan. David has been a volunteer changes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In the aquatic realm, monitor for eight years on a pond where he and his daughters enjoy her current research projects include an investigation of cyanobacteria swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and watching fish and wildlife. He is as potential drivers of changes in lakes, a study of mercury in stream also a trained invasive plant patroller. He lives in Portland with his two food webs, and development of a smart phone app to enable citizen daughters Brickley (13) and Georgia (9). scientists to contribute data about lakes to a central database. She holds a BA in Geology from Carleton College and a PhD in Ecology from the University of Minnesota. Pixie Williams received her B.S. degree from Cape Breton University, Sydney, Nova Scotia, and later, her Masters in Peter Vaux got his start in the world Plant Systematics from the University of . Pixie’s early of freshwaters while living for 3 years professional career was in education, in West Africa where he worked in as a school teacher in private grade fisheries research and extension. schools. In the late 1970s through early Many years later, he returned to that 1980s Pixie worked as a volunteer at the part of the world as part of a World Cary Arboretum, New York Botanical Bank-financed team conducting an Garden. It was here, under the direct environmental assessment for a tutelage of Dr. Thomas Elias, director of major oil pipeline project in Chad the US-USSR Botanical Exchange, that and Cameroon. He received his Ph.D. Pixie developed her keen interest and enthusiasm for plants, and in particular, from the University of California, plant systematics. (Systematics is the Davis. While in grad school, he lived study of the how life forms diversify through evolution over time.) in Central America for 2 years doing Pixie credits her invaluable “on the job education” at Cary Arboretum dissertation research and managing with her decision to make plants her second career. an environmental assessment for a large hydro project. After that, he spent 8 years at the University of Nevada, involved in an array of Upon receiving her M.S. Degree at UNH--where she studied under research programs (fisheries, water quality, plankton) on Colorado Dr. Garret Crow, co-author of Aquatic and Wetland Plants of River reservoirs. Moving to Maine in the mid-1990's, he initially Northeastern North America—Pixie worked as a Research Associate worked with The Nature Conservancy, heading up a data-mining in Botany, at the Bra d'Or Institute, Cape Breton University; and later as an Adjunct Professor of Plant Biodiversity. She was also a and integration project focusing on Maine’s freshwater biodiversity. Research Associate in Botany at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural He continued his new-found interest on data integration and web- History in Halifax. based data serving while at the University of Maine, directing natural resources assessments for several national parks (including Acadia In 2012, Pixie celebrated nine years of service to the VLMP as a NP and Cape Cod National Seashore) and developing several data- Certified Invasive Plant Patroller, and at 87 years old, still spends access websites. Recently, he migrated, part-time, to a different many hours in her kayak every summer, keeping a watchful eye on environment, one in which he and his wife are involved in restoring aquatic plants of Casco and Otisfield and beyond. As energetic as 2 old houses in central France. Peter has been involved with VLMP she is generous, Pixie shares her passion for botanizing with local for over a decade, with several years spent on the board. Peter is school children and community members, and plays an integral role in Pleasant Lake and Parker Pond Association’s ongoing efforts very much looking forward to continuing his participation in VLMP, to eradicate variable-leaf milfoil from Lily Brook and Pleasant Lake. not only via the Advisory Board, but also as part of the continuing Pixie is a major contributor to the VLMP’s aquatic plant herbarium attempts to improve access to and understanding of the wealth of collection, and has been formally honored by the VLMP for her many data about our state’s lakes. contributions to the Program and to Maine lakes. 16 Wanted: Board Volunteer Water Quality The Rev. Martha Kirkpatrick is the Rector Regional & Data Coordinators of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Belfast, Maine. From 1999 to 2003 she Help with activities such as re-certification workshops, was the Commissioner of the Department communicating with volunteers, and lake data entry. For of Environmental Protection under more information, please contact the VLMP at vlmp@ Governor Angus King from 1999 - 2003, and was previously the Bureau Director mainevlmp.org or 207-783-7733. for the DEP’s Bureau of Land and Water Quality. From 1984 to 1991 she was a staff attorney with U.S. EPA in Washington DC. She attended Harvard Divinity School to Become a Friend of the VLMP! pursue her questions about Christian faith and the environment, and received her The VLMP is a uniquely volunteer-powered organization. Master of Divinity in 2007. She received Most VLMP volunteers are committed to the critically her Juris Doctor from George Washington photo couresty of Marti Stone important task of monitoring the health of Maine lakes. University, National Law Center, in 1981, and her Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore College in 1978. Rev. But there are many other off-the-water tasks that need to be Kirkpatrick is a member of the Board of Trustees for Maine Audubon, done in order to keep the entire statewide lake monitoring and a Greenfaith Fellow from the class of 2009. enterprise moving forward smoothly. As the VLMP grows, these essential behind-the- scenes tasks are also increasingly C. Barre Hellquist is a Professor of being shared by our volunteers. Biology, Emeritus at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He received Friends of the VLMP are lending their time, talents and his Ph.D. in Botany from UNH where creativity to help us build and maintain one of the largest he worked on the correlation of the Potamogeton (pondweed and most active citizen-based lake monitoring programs family) to water chemistry and their in the nation. With their much needed and greatly valued distribution in New England. help; the VLMP is better able to meet the demands of Barre is co-author of Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Northeastern Maine’s ever-growing statewide network of volunteer North America. His enthusiasm lake monitors. for the study of aquatic plants has taken Barre across the United Interested? We are eager to help YOU find and/or expand Photo courtesy of Massachusetts States and Europe, to China, Siberia, your special niche in the VLMP. We can use help with a College of Liberal Arts and Australia in search of new and interesting species. Working with wide range of seasonally variable tasks, from data entry and his son, C. Eric Hellquist, an assistant professor of biological sciences assembling bulk mailings, to helping with yard work and at SUNY-Oswego, Barre is currently involved in a multi-year project making repairs to the property. Please contact us today to documenting the flora of Yellowstone National Park. learn more! In his “retirement,” Barre continues to teach classes intermittently at MCLA, leads field-based seminars (such as those at the Eagle Hill Institute on the coast of Maine) and continues his research around the globe. He also teaches the aquatic plant mini-course, often with Sponsorship Through Advertising his son Eric, at the University of Michigan Biological Station. He spends his free time dabbling in the private pond on his property in the Water Column in Massachusetts, enjoying his beautiful collection of species water lilies and also collects 3 x 5 flags, especially U.S. historical , Australian, Canadian and south Pacific flags. The value of Maine’s lakes to the state’s economy is substantial; studies have shown that our lakes Ken Wagner holds degrees from conservatively generate 3.5 billion dollars in economic Dartmouth College and Cornell activity annually. An increasing number of Maine University, with his Ph.D. earned businesses—companies who not only see the connection in Natural Resource Management in 1985. He has over 34 years of between clean lakes and economic prosperity, but who experience working on a variety also understand the value of volunteer “match”1 — now of water resources assessment and management projects, support the work of the VLMP. It is in this spirit of including lake, river and watershed mutually beneficial collaboration that we welcome this assessment and management, issue’s corporate sponsors. TMDL development, regulatory processes, and educational If you or your company are interested in sponsoring an ad programs. In 2010 he started Water Resource Services, a in the water column please contact us. Advertisements small company with a focus on will be accepted at the discretion of the staff and Board water supply protection and lake management consulting. He is a of Directors. former President of the North American Lake Management Society 1. Every dollar donated to the VLMP is matched at least 10 times and the current Editor in Chief of Lake and Reservoir Management, a over by volunteer support! peer-reviewed journal. 17 Ken Bailey ~ knowledge, wit and humor to countless readers through his "In the Field" columns. It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our good friend and A VLMP certified water quality monitor devoting 27 years fellow lake monitor Kenneth ‘Ken’ of service to the Program, and a regional IPP Coordinator Bailey. Ken died this past July after for the Lincolnville Lakes and Ponds Committee, Ken also an extended battle with cancer. Born worked 28 years for Megunticook Watershed Association, in 1949, in Moncton, New Brunswick, first as Lake Warden and then as Executive Director/ Ken grew up in Camden. After his Lake Warden, a position he served until his death. Ken’s discharge from military duty, which dedication to the task of keeping a watchful eye on the included a tour of duty in Vietnam, Ken returned to health of beloved Megunticook and surrounding lakes is Camden where he married his best friend and wife Sandra an inspiration to us all. ‘Sandy,’ established himself in business as owner/manager In addition to his wife Sandy, Ken is survived by his mother, of Hodgman’s Footwear, and, together with Sandy, raised son and daughter, five grandchildren and extended family. his family. Many of you may have seen videographer Stephen Ken was an avid outdoorsman with a special passion for Underwood’s documentary “The Lake Warden,” featuring hunting and fishing, never hesitating to share his interest Ken’s work on Megunticook Lake, at the VLMP’s 2011 and vast knowledge with family and friends. Ken was a Annual Lake Monitors’ Conference. If you missed it, or Maine guide, operated Wilderness Ways Guide Service, was would like to see it again, please scroll to the bottom of director of Camden Parks & Recreation Department, and the events/conferences page on the VLMP website www. originator of the U.S. National Toboggan Championships at mainevlmp.org, or link to it directly at Camden Snow Bowl. Ken brought his love of the outdoors http://vimeo.com/26818946 to his second career in journalism where he imparted his

Passings

Ron Schutt ~ Ponds Association from Our dear, ever-congenial friend and fellow lake monitor, 1988 to 1995. In 1995 he Ronald 'Ron' Schutt died this past April, at his home in became Chair of the Wa- Pelham, New Hampshire, in the company of his beloved ter Quality Committee and wife Elisabeth 'Betsy' Tyrol. Ron was born in Lewiston in served in that capacity un- 1930, graduated from Lisbon High School, and earned his til his death. Ron dipped a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering/Physics from Secchi disk into the waters the University of Maine in Orono. After his discharge of Back Pond for many from service as 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Korean years as a volunteer water Conflict, Ron earned a Master of Science Degree (in Edu- quality monitor, and led cation) and a second MS (in Science and Mathematics) the State's first Regional from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Ron Invasive Plant Patrol on the taught science at South Paris High School, and then later Ron composed humorous songs Five Kezar Ponds as one of and loved to share them. Here Ron at Lexington High School in Lexington, MA where he was VLMP's original Certified entertains his fellow plant patrollers appointed head of the Mathematics Department, a post he Invasive Plant Patrollers. at a post-workshop picnic! served until his retirement in 1992. He also served on the Those that knew Ron will Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Teacher's Asso- miss his booming laugh, his generous, winsome spirit, and ciation and the National Education Association. his infectious zest for life. Always the Mainer at heart, Ron loved his second home In addition to his wife Betsy, Ron is survived by four sons, on Back Pond, one of the Five Kezar Ponds in Stoneham, eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Maine. Ron was an active member of in the Five Kezar Ponds Association and served as President of Five Kezar

18 19 NON PROFIT Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program ORGANIZATION 24 Maple Hill Road U.S. POSTAGE PAID Auburn, Maine 04210

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Brackett Center News

hanks to the efforts of volunteer monitor, Don TRichardson, and a grant from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, VLMP headquarters in Auburn recently underwent some much-needed renovations and upgrades. The repairs included weather proofing, insulation, new windows, and a few odds and ends, including squirrel-proofing!

The result is a warmer, more energy-efficient building that serves not only as the program administrative headquarters, but also as a workshop facility and resource center for volunteer lake monitors. We are deeply appreciative of the grant from the Sewall Foundation and the volunteer members of the Brackett Center Building and Maintenance Committee.