Special Issue! Diving In: A Deeper Understanding and Paddle Battle II Saturday July 7th Appreciation of Lakes Starting on Page 8 Details on Page 5

Summer 2018 LEA Lake News Free A Publication of the Lakes Environmental Association, Protecting Lakes Since 1970 Lake Courses O er Something for Everyone Are you looking for a way to build your resume? Modern Environmental Monitoring is a three day Do you have an interest in micro-electronics? Do course that will cover the principles of freshwa- you want to learn how lakes work rst hand? is ter science both in the classroom and in the eld. summer, a series of fun and educational courses Days one and two cover on-the-lake sampling, is being oered at the Maine Lake Science Center including the basics of water column charac- in Bridgton. terization using everything from a Secchi disk We are hosting three new courses geared to- to advanced multi-parameter probes. Students ward students in college or late high school and will learn how to take surface and deep water interested adults looking to enhance their un- samples for nutrient and algae analysis and get derstanding of natural systems and scientic an overview of the lab work that nishes the pro- methodology. Participants in these courses will cess. Day three is a comprehensive overview of enjoy learning about environmental science in rivers and streams. is course will be taught a relaxed classroom environment and then get by LEA’s Sta Researcher, Education Director, a chance to collect samples in the eld and run Teacher/Naturalist, and Research Director. July them in the lab. 30- August 1, 8am-3pm Continued on Page 3 Long Lake Milfoil Update by Christian Oren LEA’s milfoil control team was rapidly deployed remaining plants and work towards eradicating the majority of Long Lake, and only one other to Long Lake a er the surprising discovery of this threat for good. area was found to contain plants: Salmon Point variable leaf milfoil in August of 2017. e crew Long Lake has many acres of potential habitat in Bridgton. e plants there were young, and found over an acre of thick plants growing di- and could easily fall prey to another infestation easily removed by the control team, in contrast to rectly in the range of boat propellers in Mast of milfoil. LEA has worked diligently to protect the well-established growth in Mast Cove. is Cove. e boats were chopping up plants, fur- this ecologically and economically signicant re- summer, we hope to eectively eliminate the last ther spreading milfoil in the lake. A er weeks source. Milfoil has been kept at bay by the con- of the patches in Long Lake. of intense removal, the weed was knocked back trol team in the connected waterways of Brandy at said, we will need to perform repetitive, me- signicantly, and plants were no longer at risk Pond and the Songo River for years, and Cour- thodic surveys in the cove for years to come and of spreading throughout the lake. is summer tesy Boat Inspectors are posted at all of the public remove any regrowth we nd. Milfoil is a stub- the crew will return to Long Lake to remove any boat launches around the lake. However, milfoil born weed, but with constant surveillance we was still able to hitch-hike its way into the hope we will be able to achieve eradication. LEA lake, likely through a private boat launch. will need all the help we can get to accomplish Many of these private launches exist around this goal. Control work is expensive, and vast ar- our lakes, too numerous to monitor by LEA eas need to be surveyed. We need donations to and not subject to any regulation by state or keep this project strong, and volunteer support local law. Over the winter and by request of to survey every inch of the lake. If you would like the Naples Select Board, LEA dra ed an ordi- to help out this summer please contact Christian, nance to require owners of private launches at [email protected], or donate to the mil- and large docking facilities to inspect nearby foil fund directly online or by mail. waters for invasive aquatic plants. e dra ordinance has been passed on to the Bridg- ton and Harrison Select Boards. At press LEA diver Derek Douglass holds a clump of milfoil time, the document is still under review and Inside pending adoption. LEA NON - PROFIT Completely eradicat- Invasive Plant Patrol Page 5 230 Main St. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ing invasive species is Bridgton ME 04009 Portland, ME Events Calendar Page 7 (Change service requested) PERMIT NO. 493 a dicult, and o en impossible task. Only a few lakes have been e Shape of Our Lakes Page 12 taken o of the list of infested waterbodies. Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Page 14 Still, that is LEA’s goal. Surveys were done over LEA Honor Roll Page 16 Smartphone Stormwater Mapping Update: LEA Contacts Erosion Map and Surveying Guide Now Available! by Christian Oren LEA Headquarters: Identifying erosion problems is essential to 230 Main Street maintaining and improving water quality. Bridgton ME 04009 Erosion brings soil and the nutrient phosphorus 207-647-8580 into waterbodies, which can cause sedimenta- tion and algal growth - two major causes of water quality decline. Remediating these sites is para- Maine Lake Science Center: mount to preserving water quality and possibly 51 Willett Road improving it in the future. However, erosion sites are numerous and watersheds are vast. Finding Bridgton ME 04009 and properly documenting all of these sites can 207-647-3318 be both costly and time consuming. As report- ed in our Fall 2017 issue, LEA started an ambi- tious project last summer, with funding from the www.mainelakes.org Horizon Foundation, to improve erosion surveys by using mobile phones. We piloted this project in Bridgton, and have now created a guidebook LEA Sta to help other groups replicate this novel and ef- cient method. piled into a map that ranks the erosion sites on Colin Holme their severity and proximity to a waterbody. Executive Director - [email protected] Traditional surveying techniques require a The map is also available online at mainelakes. GPS, camera, maps, and a lot of paper forms. Jenny O’Connor org/stormwater_survey where you can click on O ce Manager - [email protected] Fortunately, technological advancements have sites to get more info and view pictures. This made all of these available in the palm of your interactive map was shared with the Bridgton Alanna Doughty hand. Modern smartphones have GPS location, Public Works department and will be used to Education Director - [email protected] cameras, and the ability to fill out and upload help inform road work to alleviate these erosion Mary Jewett forms all in one device. Having all of these tools problems. Teacher-Naturalist - [email protected] available together makes surveying much faster LEA’s guidebook on mobile surveying is de- Amanda Pratt and simpler, and the device is always at hand! signed for people and organizations who want to Sta Researcher - [email protected] e data is automatically uploaded and imme- use this technology but aren’t sure where to start. Christian Oren diately available, unlike paper forms that have Initially, the survey programs and platforms may Landowner Services and Milfoil Control to be tediously transcribed. Another advantage seem complicated, which is exactly why we cre- [email protected] of this program is that new sites can be added ated this guide! The guide is designed to be in- at any time and old sites can be updated as con- sightful and intuitive for both professionals and ditions change. All you need is one minute and volunteers to use, and could be used to develop your phone. This new method of surveying saves any type of survey or data collection program. MSLC Sta time, and frees up funding for more important Already, staff at LEA have used the guide to cre- Dr. Ben Peierls work, like remediation. ate a citizen science algae monitoring survey. Research Director - [email protected] Over last summer and fall LEA interns and staff This new way to survey is faster, more efficient, Peter Lowell gathered erosion data for all of the public roads and easier than current methods. Sharing this Development Director in Bridgton. Over 300 sites were identified on method will help protect water quality and ad- [email protected] 66 roads throughout the town. This survey took vance scientific efforts on a statewide level. Get Dr. Bridie McGreavy weeks, but it would not have been possible with- a copy of the guide on our website, mainelakes. Consulting Executive Director out using mobile surveying. The data was com- org/stormwater_survey. Alyson Smith Center and Program Manager [email protected]

Board of Directors Orrin Shane - President Roy Lambert - Vice President Lori omae - Secretary Julie McQueen - Treasurer Anne Butter • Matt Frank Phyllis Ginzler • Frank Howell Henry Hudson III • Lydia Landesberg Dan Richards • Justin Ward Peter Whitchurch • John Willson Anne Wold

Honorary Directors Tom Rosen Hubert and Ray Caplan Stan Cohen

Page 2 LEA monitors 41 lakes and ponds Sonde Data on the Move by Ben Peierls Lake Courses While brainstorming newsletter article ideas last year, I coined the phrase “sondes for ponds”. is Continued from Page 1 bit of rhyming fun produced much oce levity - Alanna and I even tried to create the “Sondes for For those interested Ponds” rap. in playing with and More than just fun though, sondes are good for understanding ponds (see Fall 2017-Winter 2018 building electronic newsletter, available online). We have used them in the eld to collect proles of seven di erent sensors, we are o er- water quality variables (temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, chlorophyll, phy- ing a Build Your Own cocyanin) on 17 di erent lakes, sometimes multiple times. is past winter we succeeded in doing Sensors course on the same sonde measurements through the ice on several lakes. In the process, we have added to our setting up and using growing database and learned more about our lake water quality conditions. We were able to use inexpensive Arduino the sondes as backup data when our DO meters were not working and as a calibration check for the and Raspberry Pi kits. ese new customizable GLEON buoy sensors. and miniature kits are extremely popular because Now there is a new way to use the sondes, where instead of moving the sonde up and down through of their wide versatility. ey can be used to sim- the water, we move the water through the sonde while it sits inside a boat. A strong pump pulls wa- plify routine tasks around the home or automate ter from just below the lake surface and sends it through a ow cell that encompasses the working environmental data collection in harsh condi- end of the sonde. By combining the sonde readings with GPS coordinates, I can produce a map of tions. is course will be led by Saint Joseph’s conditions all over the surface of a lake. My design is based on published methods and instruments, College professor and technology sage, Dr. Ryan with modications for our boat and specic needs. For now we simply call the device a “sonde ow- Dorland. August 8th, 8am-noon through system”, though I welcome clever name or acronym suggestions. Lastly, we have a Northeastern Aquatic Plants I tested the prototype system several times last season. e data reveals that surface water conditions course where participants will study unique plant are not the same all over a lake; determining the extent and importance of these spatial di erences adaptations and learn how to identify invasive is a part of our advanced research initiatives. For this year, I plan to sort out some issues with spikes species. Aer a classroom session at the Maine in turbidity readings and redesign the pump plumbing so the ow-through device will be usable on Lake Science Center, students will go to a nearby di erent boats. We hope to survey many more lakes this summer, so stay tuned. lake for identication in the eld using canoes Flow -through sonde system in action and kayaks. e day will end with a visit to LEA’s dive crew removing invasive milfoil. Participants will leave this fun day with a renewed and con- tagious excitement for lake exploration. e class will be taught by LEA’s aquatic plant gurus Christian Oren and Mary Jewett. August 16th, 8am-3pm

LEA’s Strategic Priorities At our February 2018 tecting and enhancing Maine’s lake water meeting the LEA quality and related watershed health, Board of Directors 4. Heighten the visibility and public aware- approved strategic ness of the Maine Lake Science Center as an priorities for 2018- ese courses are an excellent way to explore a ca- integral part of LEA and leverage it to help 2020, concluding a reer in the environmental sciences, a great addi- increase the e ectiveness of LEA’s fundrais- strategic planning tion to a college application or resume, and a fun ing e orts, and process begun in way for anyone to learn about the lake they live 2017. is planning 5. Ensure, to the maximum degree applicable, on. For more information or to sign up, please go process is a continua- that the Maine Lake Science Center’s applied to www.mainelakes.org/courses/. Scholarships tion of LEA’s periodic research and data analysis work anticipates, are available for those who qualify. strategic analysis and is guided by LEA’s ongoing supports and helps reinforce LEA’s education, mission to preserve and, when necessary, restore advocacy and outreach programs. the high water quality and the traditional charac- Embedded in these priorities are ongoing service ter of Maine’s lakes, watersheds and related natu- e orts to eradicate milfoil, continued monitoring ral resources. to detect the potential for harmful algae blooms, For the next three years, LEA will focus on ve and expanded programs to educate communities strategic priorities: and the public about best practices for protecting 1. Maintain and selectively invest in improv- and preserving high water quality throughout ing the quality and e ectiveness of LEA’s our lakes and watersheds. ongoing education, outreach and advocacy Under the leadership of our new Executive programs, Director, Colin Holme, with the incredible ef- 2. Align philanthropy with LEA’s mission to forts of our hard-working sta and volunteers, ensure the long-term nancial stability of the and with the invaluable support of our member- Association, ship, the Lakes Environmental Association will You can support LEA milfoil control work pursue these priorities and continue to fulll its by purchasing this sticker for your canoe or 3. Build-out the Maine Lake Science Center critical mission. kayak. ey are available at LEA for a suggest- as a leading center-of-excellence for applied ed donation of $5. research and data analysis focused on pro- Orrin Shane, LEA Board President Our milfoil control team works May through September Page 3 Getting Information on Your Maine Lake Science Center Lake or Pond Pinehaven Trail

Did you know you can explore the woods around the Center on a beau- tiful loop trail? e Pinehaven Trail connects to Pondicherry Park and weaves through old pastureland and a lowland forested swamp along the Bradburian boardwalk (don’t step on any butteries!). Mary Maxwell and Roy Lambert provided funding to develop low ropes course ele- In the last two years, LEA has been working hard to revamp our water ments and interpretive signs along the trail and we will have a celebra- quality reports for our members and the general public. Because we realize tion this summer for the trail re-opening ceremony! Stay tuned and collecting information alone will never help our lakes withstand the im- hope to see you in the woods! pacts of watershed development and erosion, we have been putting more emphasis on interpreting and translating our results into a form that any- one can read and understand. While we don’t have the resources to send Naples Proposes Dock out complete reports every year to our members, they are available online. We also distribute custom summaries to the lake associations we partner with and local municipal leaders. Inspection for Invasives is past year, we made some new changes including breaking the report At the June town meeting, Naples residents will vote on an ordinance that up into dierent chapters, which will allow readers to focus on the topics requires annual inspection of signi cant docking facilities and private boat that most interest them or are speci c to their favorite lake. launches for invasive plants. Aer nding large patches of variable leaf milfoil in private marinas on Long Lake last year, the Naples Select Board e rst chapter is an overview of the results from our traditional moni- requested that LEA develop an ordinance to require regular inspection of toring program that we have been doing for decades on the lakes in our all large dock facilities and private launch sites. e two-page ordinance service area. Anyone can look at this section, nd their lake, and see re- de nes signi cant docking facilities as those that have four or more motor cent water quality conditions and any long term trends. e second chapter boats. Inspections can be done by owners or sta of these facilities as long is dedicated to our automated monitoring buoys on Highland and Long as they have adequate training, outsourced to a quali ed entity, or done Lakes. While these buoys are only on two lakes, we oen look at the live by trained volunteers. As written, the ordinance applies to Long Lake and data coming in from these buoys to help us understand what is going on Brandy Pond. If these regulations are approved and work, we hope to have in other lakes during the monitoring season. e third chapter relates to other towns in the area adopt similar rules which will help deter the spread Gloeotrichia, which is a type of blue green algae (cyanobacteria) that we of invasive aquatics through prevention and early detection. have been monitoring on many of our lakes for the past 5 years. e fourth chapter discusses the results of our in-lake temperature monitoring pro- gram. ese sensor chains are on over a dozen lakes in our area and the Dense milfoil growth found in Mast Cove data paints a picture of how the lake strati es during the warmer months. on Long Lake in Naples last summer. e nal chapter discusses our baseline algae monitoring work that we have undertaken with the help of local associations on ten lakes. e reports are lled with graphics and clear explanations and are available on our website at www.mainelakes.org/water-testing-report/. If this still sounds compli- cated, check out our individual lake pages at www.mainelakes.org/lake- information/. ese pages give a basic summary of last year’s water quality results and general information about each lake. Annual Meeting August 22nd

e LEA Annual Meeting will be August 22nd at Camp Fernwood Cove in Waterford. Come learn about all the work LEA is doing to protect this region’s lakes. Hope to see you there!

Page 4 Join us for Trail Days on June 15, July 17 and September 14! Volunteers surveying for A Busy Year for LEA’s Paddle Battle II invasive plants on Woods Register Today! Pond Milfoil Program We had so much fun last year that we have decid- LEA’s milfoil crew will be very busy this sum- ed to do it again! e second annual Maine Lakes mer, and not only in Long Lake. Brandy Pond, Paddle Battle will be held at beautiful Tarry-A- the Songo River, and Sebago Lake all need to be While resort on Highland Lake July 7th and will surveyed and managed to prevent infestations feature the best atwater paddle board racing in from returning to these waters. Brandy Pond the State. and the Songo River have been under control Again, we have partnered with generous spon- for the past few years, meaning there is very low sors to auction o paddle boards and lots of cool milfoil density. Native plants dominate these wa- goodies for outdoor and water enthusiasts. ters. However, fragments from Sebago or Long e race starts in a protected cove on the east side Lake may dri in and start new patches which of the lake and then paddlers skirt up along the must be removed before they spread. e milfoil eastern shore, past picturesque islands and then team is well equipped to manage this task, but either turn back for the 2k course or continue on with the addition of Long Lake, resources are be- to the tip of Knolls Point for the 5k course. ing stretched. Moreover, LEA is actively battling While race times are being tallied by volunteers one of the worst milfoil infestations in the state from the Shawnee Peak race team, we will have in Sebago Cove. music, water testing demonstrations, and a fun LEA adopted Sebago Cove two years ago, and we kids’ race in the cove. have been steadily making progress in the area e venue opens at 8 am and races will begin by ever since. e Cove is a dicult area because it 9:30 am. Awards will be announced by noon or LEA Starts Volunteer is shallow and muddy - perfect habitat for mil- earlier. e 2k and 5k races are open to partici- foil. e invader grows from shore to shore, and pants at least 15 years old. Race registration is Invasive Plant Patrol there are dozens of boats that are chopping the $55 and will be open until 12 pm July 6th. To Last summer’s discovery of milfoil on Long plants up every week. It is a challenge to remove nd out more about the event or register, check Lake has sparked concern in the region and a the vast acres of plants and prevent the fragments out www.mainelakes.org desire to promote earlier milfoil identication from re-rooting in areas we have cleared. Last All proceeds from the race will benet LEA’s lake on area lakes. Early detection of any infestation summer also saw another setback as the crew protection and education programs. allows for quicker and more ecient remedia- was diverted to Long Lake to deal with the new tion, thereby minimizing the risk of the milfoil infestation. is summer we have hired more spreading throughout the lake or contaminating divers to better handle the large areas we are cov- other lakes. ering now. It is a challenge, but the milfoil crew A volunteer Invasive Plant Patrol, or IPP, is the has never shied away from a challenge before. most practical way for us to expand our current is eort relies on support from the local com- identication and remediation eorts. IPP is a munity. We need donations and volunteers to state-wide, volunteer program in which commu- keep these programs running. Email christian@ nity members lead surveys for invasive aquatic leamaine.org to volunteer to survey for milfoil, plants by swimming or paddling. e program is or donate directly to the milfoil program to show a great way to get out on the water while actively your support. protecting the lakes you love! IPP volunteers will survey boat ramps and marinas in the LEA re- LEA Milfoil crew member Tommy Chagrasulis. gion, focusing on high-risk areas. For this pro- e entire crew will be hard at work this sum- gram to be successful, LEA needs volunteers to mer addressing infestations at several sites and help with this area-wide eort. surveying previously cleared sites for re-growth. is summer LEA will oer an invasive plant workshop and plant paddles for persons inter- ested in learning more about identifying invasive plants. e workshop, led by the Lake Stewards of Maine, will be held on August 2nd at the LEA Maine Lake Science Center. is workshop con- sists of an in-depth discussion of aquatic plants Paddle Battle 2018 and how to identify them. e plant paddles are led by experienced individuals and no previous When: July 7th, 8 am to noon experience is required. All events are free to the public. Paddles will be conducted during the sum- Where: Tarry-A-While Resort on mer season (see dates on the Events Calendar on Highland Lake, Bridgton page 7 of this newsletter). Please consider joining in this eort. Individuals and Lake Associations What: 2k and 5k atwater paddle interested in learning more about the LEA IPP board races should contact Christian Oren at LEA or Mary Maxwell, LEA’s IPP volunteer coordinator: How to sign up: www.mainelakes.org/ Christian Oren: 207-647-8580 educationevents/paddle-battle/ [email protected] Mary Maxwell: 503-515-7946 [email protected]

Have you ever seen a freshwater jelly sh? Page 5 Eco-Explorers!

e Highland Lake Preserve is now At LEA we try to vary our outreach to many di erent groups of peo- ple. is summer we will be o ering a fun outdoor experience for kids ages 7-11. Eco-Explorers will spend two days at the Maine Lake the Highland Research Forest! Science Center exploring the trails around the center and throughout LEA received this 325-acre parcel on Highland Lake from the Carol and Pondicherry Park. Aer a day of rest, kids will meet up again, this time David Hancock Charitable Trust in 2016. is year, we plan to build trails, at the beautiful Holt Pond Preserve. Holt Pond o ers a variety of dif- a parking area, and other amenities to facilitate enjoyment by the public. ferent ecosystems and trails to explore. ere are two sessions of Eco- e site will also be used for various research and demonstration projects Explorers available. Here are the details: relating to sustainable forestry, forest ecology, and water quality. Session one – Week beginning July 23 Session two – Week beginning August 6 Monday & Tuesday of each week will be spent at the MLSC LEA Trail Days ursday & Friday will be spent at the Holt Pond Preserve Parents are expected to drop o their child at 8:30 am each day and pick them up at 3 pm. Cost is $150 for LEA members and $175 for non-members. Scholarships and payment plans may be available. Deadline for applications is June 22nd. Visit our website mainelakes.org or contact Mary for an application: [email protected].

A Grant from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative

Do you want to help make our community better? Well-maintained We have received funding from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative to devel- public trails are one of the great advantages of living in this area as they op workshops for landowners, policy makers, foresters, and forestry pro- allow us all to immerse ourselves in the outdoors while getting some fessionals to share knowledge about best management practices and whole exercise! But like everything good, trails need attention and love. LEA watershed thinking. Whether you are a logger or a landowner of a wood- currently maintains trails at the Holt Pond Preserve, the Maine Lake lot - small or large - we will be hosting a number of informational work- Science Center, along Stevens Brook in Bridgton, and we are in the pro- shops on ideas about how to best manage your land for the future. We are cess of creating a new trail system at our Highland Research Forest. If excited to work with our partners, including the Portland Water District, you are interested in helping revitalize our trails at any of these loca- the Maine Forest Service, Maine SFI Implementation Committee, Maine tions, we would love to have your assistance! LEA sta will be meeting Project Learning Tree, and the Maine Forest Products Council on a num- at our main oce at 8:30 am on June 15th, July 17th and September ber of fronts - one of which includes developing the Highland Research 14th to lead this communal and fun e ort. Hope you can make it! Forest. We appreciate this opportunity and stay tuned for more to come!

Page 6 Eroding roads and driveways hurt our lakes Natural Resource Series 2018 Public Education Programs

For more information on any event, please contact [email protected]. Please note that some events require pre-registration. All our events are announced on our website and Facebook page (including new pop-up events!) For the most current information please like us on Facebook! June July June 2, Sat., 7 pm. e Importance of Spending Time Outside with Your July 2, Mon., 4 pm. Sebago Family Nature Club walk, meet at Spaulding Kids: parent presentation at Spaulding Memorial Library in Sebago. For Memorial Library. more info contact [email protected] July 6, Fri. 9 am, Orchid Walk at Holt Pond, Caplan Family Environmental June 7, urs., 10- 1, Reptile and Amphibian walk with State Biologist Educational Fund event, Register with [email protected] Derek Yorks, MLSC, free for LEA members, $5 non-members. Register with [email protected] July 7, Sat., Paddle Battle! Register early at mainelakes.org!! June 12, Tues., 1-3pm, e Incredible World of Algae! At MLSC. Register July 12, urs., 6 pm, Loon Presentation with Maine Audubon Biologist with [email protected] Susan Gallo. Free for members, $5 nonmembers, register with alanna@ June 15, Fri., 8:30 am, Volunteer Trail Cleanup Day - come one come all! leamaine.org. MLSC June 18, Mon., 4 pm. Sebago Family Nature Club walk, meet at Spaulding July 17, Tues., 8:30 am, Volunteer Trail Cleanup Day Memorial Library July 19, urs., 2 pm, Family Nature Club, meet at Holt Pond Preserve June 20, Wed., 9-2, GLLT and LEA hike and paddle, 5 Kezars, bring your July 23, 24, 26, 27. Eco-Explorers Kids Camp at the MLSC and Holt own boat and sturdy hiking shoes for this joint venture! Pond. Registration required, contact [email protected] (see box on June 21, urs., 11 am, Family Nature Club picnic, meet at Holt Pond page 6) Preserve June 21, urs., 5:30 pm, Celebration of Peter Lowell’s career at Bear July 24, Tues., Invasive Plant Patrol Paddle on Woods Pond Mountain Inn, Waterford. Tickets required. FMI: mainelakes.org July 30, Mon., 4 pm. Sebago Family Nature Club walk, meet at Spaulding June 26, Tues., 6-7:30 pm, e Black Ghost black bear presentation with Memorial Library biologist Deb Perkins. Members $5, Non-members $10. Please register July 30, 31, and August 1, Lake, Pond and Stream ecology course, with [email protected] more information at mainelakes.org (see cover story)

Nature Club for Families: We are all busy, but what if there was one thing that we could do for our kids (and us!) that would make all that crazi- ness a little better? ere is! Go outside together! Spending time outside builds important bonds, creates lasting memories, exercises our senses and our muscles, and gets us ALL away from our screens for a little while! ere is so much to discover outside! Look for “Family Nature Club” events scheduled throughout the summer. is year, with the help of the Outdoor Foundation and BOGS boots, we have several pairs of BOGS boots in a variety of sizes to loan for use on LEA outings, so that anyone who participates will be able to explore comfortably, whether they are kids or adults! FMI contact [email protected]. August August 2, urs., 9-3, Volunteer Lake Monitoring workshop on Invasive Aquatic Plants at MLSC. Registration required: mainevlmp.org/ invasive-plant-patrol-workshops August 3, Fri., 1-3 pm Chewonki Bug Mobile and bug catching in Pondicherry. Members $5, nonmembers $10. Registration required, please contact [email protected]. Caplan Family Environmental Education Fund Event. August 6, 7, 9, 10. Eco Explorers Day camp at MLSC and Holt Pond. Registration required, contact [email protected] (see box, page 6) August 8, Wed., 8-12, Build your own monitoring sensor! For more information and to register, visit mainelakes.org (also see cover story) August 13, Mon., 9-2, Teacher workshop at MLSC: Macroinvertebrate Bioassessment for the classroom! Pre-register: [email protected] August 13, Mon., 4 pm, Sebago Family Nature Club walk, meet at Spaulding Memorial Library. August 14, Tues., 2-4 pm, Holt Pond Walk September August 15, Wed., 2 pm, Family Nature Club, meet at Bald Pate Preserve September 12, Wed., 2 pm, Family Nature Club, Meet at the Bob Dunning August 16, urs., Northeast Aquatic Plants: plant ID and eld sur- Bridge vey workshop at MLSC. Registration required, please contact mary@ leamaine.org (also see cover story) September 14, Fri., 8:30 am, Volunteer Trail Day August 27, Mon., 4 pm, Sebago Family Nature Club walk, meet at September 26, Wed., 10 am, Great Maine Outdoors Week hike at LEA’s Spaulding Memorial Library Highland Research Forest. Register with [email protected] August 28, Tues., Invasive Plant Patrol Paddle on Highland Lake

Check out our upcoming lake courses at the Science Center Page 7 SPECIAL ISSUE! Diving In: A Deeper Understanding and Appreciation of Lakes How Do Watersheds A ect Water Quality? Simply put, the watershed is the area of still is) forested. Beginning in the mid- land that surrounds and drains into a 18th century, settlers came to the area waterbody. Watersheds as a concept can and began clearing land for agriculture be confusing, since a given point on the and logging. Over time, our forestland map is o en part of multiple watersheds. has increasingly been fragmented by For example, the Sebago Lake watershed roads, driveways and developed areas is made up of the watersheds of numer- that reduce ltering capacity and de- ous smaller lakes and ponds as well as liver stormwater directly to our lakes. the Crooked River. e simplest way Research has shown that when more to delineate a watershed’s boundary is by looking at a topographical map and than 20% of a watershed is developed, studying the streams and contours. If there is a noticeable decline in water you were to draw a line around all the quality. surrounding high ridges, that would be Another important threshold to moni- the edge of the lake’s watershed. tor is the amount of impervious sur- As an organization dedicated to lake protec- ter quality. ese two factors represent the lit- faces in a watershed. Water quality declines tion, we are interested in the characteristics of eral foundation on which lakes sit, so they are when between 6 and 10% of the land within a watersheds because they have a big impact on responsible for many of the physical and chemi- watershed is impervious (unable to let water water quality. In fact, the watershed is one of the cal characteristics within the lake. e pH is pass through). Roads (including gravel roads), most important determinants of water quality in ultimately determined by the underlying geol- roo ops, and parking lots are all considered im- Maine lakes. e size, slope, soils, geology, and ogy – for example, limestone bedrock tends to pervious surfaces. ese studies were the rea- land cover of the watershed all inuence funda- produce slightly alkaline waters whereas granite son behind the impervious area and developed mental lake processes. (which forms the bedrock of the Lakes Region) area thresholds that are incorporated into Maine In general, larger watersheds have higher po- causes lake waters to be slightly acidic. Soils may Shoreland Zoning regulations. tential for poor water quality than smaller wa- contain dierent amounts of elements that can tersheds. is is because there is more area be- inuence lake processes such as silicon, carbon, LEA works hard to prevent human activities from ing drained and more potential for pollution. phosphorus, iron, and aluminum. e types aecting our lakes. We work with landowners to However, size alone tends to be less important of soil present can also inuence groundwater prevent erosion on shorefront property, procure than what is actually happening on the land movement and susceptibility to erosion. funding for watershed surveys and site remedia- within the watershed. e slope of the land also Most watershed characteristics are largely un- tion, are a source of knowledge and advocacy of plays an important role. Steep slopes are more changeable, but one part of the watershed that is shoreland zoning laws, and are involved in larger prone to erosion, which is a main cause of water o en highly altered is land use. is makes what development review. Our work aims to give voice quality degradation. is happening on the land a key determinant of to these important resources that support our Watershed soils and geology are perhaps second water quality in many lake systems. Much of the communities so that they can continue to do so only to human inuences in their eect on wa- land within the Lakes Region was originally (and for generations to come. Making Waves: Boating Tips to Keep our Lakes Blue Like everything else, recreational boating has column and their props pose an increased risk Preventing invasives from hitching a ride in bal- evolved much over the years. Power boats have of chopping up and spreading both native and last tanks requires completely draining these sys- grown in size and average horsepower has in- invasive plants. Another common complaint is tems and sterilizing them before moving from creased greatly. At the same time, cleaner, qui- that the large waves created by these boats crash one waterbody to another. Because these systems eter four-strokes have been replacing the smoky upon the shore and erode the bank. Finally, and are becoming more commonplace, LEA and the two-stroke outboards that used to ply our waters. o en overlooked, is the fact that lake water used State of Maine have adopted the new boat inspec- One recent trend has been the growth of wake for ballast is creating a new vector for spreading tion motto: “Clean, Drain, Dry” and are asking surng. is sport involves driving at low speed noxious invaders like Zebra and Quagga Mussels Courtesy Boat Inspectors to inquire about ballast in a boat that creates a large enough stand- or the Spiny Water Flea. e young of these spe- tanks when doing routine checks. ing wave to surf on continuously without being cies are nearly invisible to the naked eye and can pulled by a rope. While this is an amazing sport, remain alive for weeks in ballast tanks even a er just like other boating activities, there can be the water has been emptied. negative impacts if it is done without regard to A simple and eective way to minimize sedi- the environment. ment resuspension from boat propellers and re- One of the environmental issues with boating, duce shoreline erosion is to observe the existing whether for wake surng or not, is the turbu- no-wake rule within 200 feet of shore. In most lence caused by propulsion, particularly from cases, this will put you into deep enough water. propellers. Past studies have shown that this However, on lakes with extensive shallow areas, disturbance can go down at least 10 feet. is a good depth map is also needed. Staying out of allows previously settled sediments and nutri- shallow areas also greatly reduces the chance of ents to be re-suspended into the water column, spreading invasive aquatic plants within the lake clouding up the water and providing a source and from waterbody to waterbody. Using the of nutrients for algae. Wake boats o en take on new depth data that we are acquiring with volun- water ballast which allows them to sit lower and teer surveyors, LEA hopes to produce maps that create bigger waves. is means that these boats clearly show deep water areas more suitable to Depth map emphasizing shallow areas (red) can generate turbulence deeper into the water power boating. where boating can adversly a ect water quality Page 8 You can help us create quality depth maps SPECIAL ISSUE! Diving In: A Deeper Understanding and Appreciation of Lakes What is Lake Strati cation? You may remember from high school science classes that water has several properties that make it unique. ese properties, like density and heat capacity, make life within lakes possible and also help explain how lakes are structured. An important characteristic of a lake is whether or not it mixes, and how oen it fully mixes. Most of the deeper lakes in this region of the world are “dimictic” – they mix twice per year, usually in the spring and fall. In the winter ice cover pre- vents mixing and in the summer a temperature gradient prevents mixing. is temperature gra- dient is also known as stratication, or the sepa- ration of a lake into distinct layers. ere are three layers in most stratied lakes: e epilimnion, the metalimnion, and the hypolim- nion. e epilimnion is the top layer, which com- prises most of the sunlit waters of the lake and is heat map of Keoka Lake shows temperature from the top of the lake to the bottom throughout is well mixed by the wind circulating the water the spring, summer, and fall of 2017. Horizontal contour lines indicate stratied conditions. and blending in air. e metalimnion contains e stability (resistance to mixing) and length Because warm water is less dense than cold wa- the thermocline (though these two terms are in- of stratication are both determined by intrin- ter, waters at dierent temperatures tend not to terchangeable), which is a zone of rapidly chang- sic characteristics like the size, shape, depth, and mix. During spring and early summer, warmer ing temperature and density that separates the geographical location of the lake as well as fac- air temperatures and strong solar radiation warm epilimnion from the hypolimnion. Finally, the tors that change over time like air temperature, the surface of the lake. at heat diuses and hypolimnion is the bottom layer of water, which occurrence of storms, ice-in and ice-out timing, mixes throughout the water column at rst, but is generally dark and cold throughout the year. and seasonal temperature changes. Continued on Page 13 Lake Fun for Everyone! by Peter Lowell My family has roots on Highland Lake going back environments like bays, shorelines, and nesting to the early 1900s. We do not head to the lake to sites. It is unlikely that the State of Maine will is- vegetate or work, except for occasional projects sue any new regulations given the constraints on necessary to maintain living conditions. Instead, enforcement and the popularity of the marine in- the emphasis is on fun and especially nding dustry, so we need to learn to co-exist and assure new ways of having fun. e photo to the right that our fun does not ruin the lakes for others. is of my grandfather in 1912 o Ingalls Grove on what was probably the rst paddleboard – a du- Here are some tips to encourage co-existence, re- plex even! Like many lake families, we have vol- source protection, and acting within the law: umes of stories about antics, jokes, stupidity, and • Try to allow others quiet time early and late in occasional risk taking in the quest to discover yet the day. Voices and music travel almost unim- another way to enjoy the clear, blue waters. peded for long distances over water. Knowing e best memories are of simple things, espe- e stand-up Kawasaki came on the scene in that can save you from embarrassment too. cially those that fed childhood fantasies on a 1972 and was succeeded in 1988 by the sit-down • Quick take-os in shallow areas can re-sus- variety of renegade watercra from pirate ships Bombardier Sea-Doo. e Jet Ski’s trajectory as pend bottom sediments, releasing their nutri- to hydroplanes. Below the water, snorkeling a popular watercra changed the nature of boat- ents to promote algae growth. around islands or even into the swampy end of ing and, some feel, the traditional character of • Wakes are perhaps the greatest threat to frag- the lake can fuel great adventures, observations lake sports. Outboard motors went through their ile shorelines, docks, and even safety. You are and learning about the watery environment and own transformation from their roots in the late legally responsible for your wake’s damage its creatures. On the land, camping on wooded 1800s. e rst 100hp motor was introduced in and must travel at no-wake speed within 200 shores or on deserted islands gets you as close to 1962 and gained in popularity. In 1992, Mercury feet of the shore unless entering or leaving nature as possible. produced a 225hp and escalated in 2013 with a your dock. e bigger your wake, the further 1650hp colossus! In the seventies, things took a turn when mo- from shore you should be. torized fun began to transform with bigger, Meanwhile, the specialty boating market was • Some fun sports cannot occur where wakes more powerful, and new types of watercra. burgeoning. Traditional water ski boats were are present (slalom skiing, paddleboarding, joined by wakeboarding designs and boats de- and sculling). People shing can be tossed signed to throw unprecedented wakes to propel around as they stand to cast. Be aware of who wake surfers. Fishing boats morphed from small else is using the lake and give them the respect outboards to powerful, lightning-fast competi- you would appreciate. tors. e toys we use for lake fun have gone from basic to huge and complicated. • If you see a loon nest or other aquatic wildlife, give them a wide berth. Get out the telephoto Lake fun has become serious, expensive, and lens and stay well away. competitive! ose who prefer the “good old days” should probably accept the inevitable new Having fun on the water is a Maine tradition. We trends, or live out their days in annoyance. ose can nurture it by remembering that lakes are a engaged in the new “fun” must learn to use the fragile, public resource to be enjoyed and pro- lake with respect for others and protect sensitive tected by us all. Members are the heart of LEA Page 9 SPECIAL ISSUE! Diving In: A Deeper Understanding and Appreciation of Lakes

What Makes a Lake Turn Green? by Amanda Pratt and Ben Peierls e dreaded algae bloom - a thick green scum carpeting the water like our lakes using several methods. We measure total phosphorus and chlo- astroturf. It’s what lake stewards the world over are trying to prevent. But rophyll-a in the upper layer of each lake’s water column. Chlorophyll-a is in order to prevent blooms from happening, we need to have an apprecia- the green pigment in algae. Higher chlorophyll-a concentrations indicate tion and understanding of how and why they happen. It starts with the fuel higher levels of algae. We also use a uorometer to measure chlorophyll that sparks the rampant growth of algae: nutrients such as phosphorus and uorescence at discrete depths throughout the water column, which gives nitrogen. us an indicaton of where algae are concentrated. While chlorophyll-a and Most lawn fertilizers are made with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uorometry are proxies for algae concentration, that is only part of the because these elements are needed by plants to grow. Bloom-forming algae story. Several local lake associations provide support for LEA to count and are basically tiny aquatic plants, so they react to fertilizers in a similar way identify algae in select lakes. Knowing what kinds of algae are present in to land plants. And because they are so small, they are able to grow rapidly lakes over time allows us to assess water quality with a greater level of detail. as long as they have nutrients (particularly phosphorus). Some lakes, despite high nutrient levels, do not experience algae blooms. Nutrients don’t just come from fertilizer, although lawn fertilizer can be a ere are a huge array of factors that can aect how phosphorus impacts a major source if it is not carefully applied. In terms of quantity, most of the lake ecosystem. e Maine DEP and researchers at the University of Maine phosphorus that enters a lake comes from stormwater. In Maine, erosion in Orono are currently working on a Lake Vulnerability Index to try to from roads, driveways, and ditches provide the biggest source of nutrients rank lakes that are most at risk of algae blooms. Factors that aect lake to our waters. Poorly maintained septic systems can also leach nutrients vulnerability include lake area and volume, watershed area, watershed land along with bacteria and pathogens. ese are examples of human-induced use, lake sediment chemistry, dissolved organic carbon levels, stratication nutrient loading, but there are plenty of natural sources as well, from natu- patterns, and ushing rate. ral soil erosion to animal waste. Absent human inuence, lakes generally LEA sta are staying informed about the Vulnerability Index, especially as remain in equilibrium with the natural sources of nitrogen and phospho- it can be applied to lakes in our service area. Along with our continuing rus they receive. However, human activities can greatly increase nutrient testing and advanced data collection, the Index will provide insights into loads, throwing o the delicate balance within the lake. which of our lakes are most at risk of “turning green” and what we can do Imagine a lake watershed that is largely forested, with a few cabins dotting about it. its shoreline. One day, a large stand of trees in the watershed is cut and P cleared for development, leaving a swath of bare soil. Soon aer, a large ar ortnat to a ood atr alt n t a Ron. For an rainstorm moves through. e area where the trees were harvested was on la aro t orld, ala loo ar a datr or alt, att, and a slope, and as the rains wash over the bare ground, soil particles are dis- rraton. Tratnt ar otn n and do not ll rol ala ro- lodged and travel down the hill, forming a muddy rivulet that joins a small l. T tal lo o oton or tratn la tat rn n- ant alal loo. So tratnt tr to ro or rd t ala drtl, stream and is deposited directly into the lake. l otr addr t root a o t rol ontrolln or ron e tiny soil particles carry phosphorus, some of which is immediately oor P nt ro t atrd or dnt. So tratnt ar taken up by algae within the lake, while some sinks to the bottom of the not dnd to rtor a la to a lar tat, t a l to rnt ro- lake. is concentrated pulse of phosphorus drives rapid algae growth, un- l n t rt la. like natural sources of phosphorus which tend to be more diuse and are Duration: short: <1 month; medium: 1 season/year; long: multiple seasons/years Application: rare: lasts many years; occasional: < once/year; seasonal: once/season; frequent: once or more released slowly into the water, which means less phosphorus is available for per season; continuous: continuous application required algae growth at any one time. is can be likened to a blood sugar spike: Cost: $: ≤ $500/acre/year; $$: $500-1000/acre/year: $$$: ≥ $1000/acre/year simple sugars (lawn fertilizers) are going to increase your blood sugar Treatment Description Duration/ Cost E ectiveness Application (phosphorus levels) more than complex sugars (decomposing leaves) will. Algaecides Chemicals that kill algae (cop- short/ $-$$ Works In freshwater systems the active form of phosphorus – the one algae need per or hydrogen peroxide) frequent- to grow – is recycled rapidly and therefore very scarce. is means that any seasonal new phosphorus added to the system is taken up very quickly. In fact, we Articial circulation Bubblers or circulators that short/ $$- Works (if extend circulation depth or continuous $$$ applied measure phosphorus in parts per billion – that’s how little there is in the duration critically) water. We worry less about nitrogen because, although it is more readily Biomanipulation Alterations of food chain to medium/ $- May work available, it cannot be utilized for growth without sucient phosphorus increase grazing of algae occasional $$$ (beware) present. By limiting phosphorus inputs, we stop algae from getting all the Drawdown Draining water for extended medium/ $- May work necessary materials needed for growth. periods to expose sediments occasional $$$ (beware) Dredging Removal of nutrient-enriched long/rare $$$ Probably At LEA, we directly and indirectly measure both phosphorus and algae in lake sediments works Microbes and Bacteria or chemicals that can N/A N/A Not recom- Enzymes control algae/nutrients mended (lack of studies) Oxygenation Adding oxygen to deep water short/ $$- Works continuous $$$ Public education Outreach to stakeholders N/A N/A Combine with other methods Watershed manage- Prevention of development long/ $$$ Works if large ment (prevention) through purchase or easement occasional enough area Watershed manage- Reducing phosphorus inputs N/A N/A Unlikely to ment (BMP) through erosion and runo work as sole control treatment Watershed manage- Capture and treat phosphorus long/ $$- Probably ment (end of pipe) in runo continuous $$$ works Phosphorus precipi- Compounds like alum which variable/ $-$$ Works tants (aluminum) remove excess phosphorus variable Phosphorus precipi- Other metal salts to precipi- variable/ $-$$ Probably tants (calcium & iron) tate excess phosphorus variable works Phosphorus pre- Other compounds to precipi- N/A N/A Not recom- cipitants (lanthanum, tate phosphorus mended (lack mixes) of studies) Algae Bloom on Lake Taihu, China. Photo courtesy of Dr. Hans Paerl, UNC Chapel Hill Based on “Lake Management Best Practices: Managing Algae Problems” by Dick Osgood and Harry Gibbons (2017, www.LakeAdvocates.org). Page 10 LEA’s rst water testing was measuring E. coli levels in Long Lake SPECIAL ISSUE! Diving In: A Deeper Understanding and Appreciation of Lakes

Unusual Lake Sightings by Alyson Smith and Amanda Pratt What is that in the water? time, which is an adaptation that allows them to Foam Did you ever think that seeing gelatinous blobs slither around dams and other obstacles during would be a good thing? Slimy freshwater sponges their long journey. and bryozoans are fascinating creatures that are Carnivorous plants? We have them! e sensitive to pollutants, so their presence can in- Northern Pitcher Plant and Common Sundew dicate high water quality. inhabit nutritionally poor environments, such as the wetlands surrounding lakes and have resort- ed to capturing, killing, and consuming insects for extra nutrients. ese plants usually grow in full sun on moist mats of sphagnum moss.

Common Sundew We oen get calls about foam, which is created when organic compounds found naturally in the water are mixed by wind and currents, caus- ing bubbles to form. Large quantities of foam are found on windward shores, in coves, and in Freshwater sponge eddies. Natural foam has a somewhat earthy or photo courtesy of Barry Denofrio shy aroma. Detergent foam, in contrast, will Freshwater sponges are non-moving organisms have a noticeable perfume smell. that live at the bottom of water bodies. ey are Ruppia Ball invertebrates and do not have organs, but instead have specialized cells that help them lter wa- ter for food. Freshwater sponges grow on sturdy Sundews have red, green, and yellow leaves with submerged objects in clean streams, lakes, and tiny tentacles that have a sticky substance on the rivers. ey obtain food from the ow of water tips, which look like water droplets. Once the in- through their bodies and from a mutually ben- sect lands on the tentacle, it is trapped. Aer the ecial relationship with algae. prey is trapped, it triggers the leaf to curl up, and the enzymes in the sticky goo begin the digestive Bryozoan process. Bladderwort owering Ruppia balls are generally round to oval in shape in a bed of pitcher plants and can vary greatly in size, from only a few to several inches in diameter. ese fascinating ob- jects are formed from dead plant material and wave action, which causes thin plant stems to interweave themselves into a tight mass. ey are named aer a common plant that is known to form these aggregations, Ruppia maritima, or widgeon grass. ey have been found on the Bryozoans are gelatinous creatures that live to- shores of several lakes in the area. You can see gether in colonies that resemble amphibian egg one for yourself at LEA’s main oce! masses. Bryozoans appear in late summer and Pitcher plants have modied (pitcher shaped) Many people don’t believe freshwater jelly sh are usually about the size of a football or smaller. leaves lled with a liquid that breaks down and (Craspedacusta sowerbii) exist until they see ey can be found in the shallow parts of lakes, digests insects. e inner surface is covered with them with their own eyes. ese half dollar-sized ponds, rivers, and streams and attach themselves downward-pointing hairs, which make it di- creatures appear from seemingly nowhere in the to sticks, mooring lines, or dock posts. Individual cult for prey to crawl out. “zooids” feed by ltering algae and tiny creatures late summer and early fall, then disappear as from the water. Bladderwort quickly as they came. Not much is known about these mysterious jellies and why they appear in e American eel is a catadromous sh, which some lakes and not others. ey don’t produce means it spends most of its life in freshwater but a noticeable sting and do not pose a danger to migrates to the ocean to reproduce. Sexually swimmers. ey have been seen in Island Pond, immature adult “yellow” Granger Pond, and Cold Rain Pond, among oth- eels live in lakes and riv- ers in LEA’s ser- Freshwater Jellysh ers and, aer anywhere vice area. from three to twenty years, migrate downstream in So, keep your the fall as “silver” eels to eyes peeled, and spawn in the ocean. e look for unusu- adults die, and eventu- al Maine phe- ally the juveniles, known Bladderwort is another carnivorous plant found nomena during as glass eels or elvers, nd in Maine that is free oating and oen mistaken your water ad- their way into rivers along for invasive milfoil. It gets its name from the small ventures and if the Atlantic coast. ese clear bladders that are found all over the plant. you see some- 5 . American Eel caught in thing unusual, please send us a photo and note Highland Lake. Photo courtesy eels can remain out of the ese tiny sacs suck in unsuspecting zooplank- of Unc’L Lunkers. water for long periods of ton and digest them to augment photosynthesis. and we might feature it in our next newsletter! Forested watersheds make for clean lakes Page 11 e Shape of Our Lakes by Ben Peierls and Alyson Smith Some say size matters. We do too, but only when lowed us to purchase three GPS-equipped, porta- it comes to lakes. Shape matters as well and the ble sonar devices (masquerading as sh nders) combination of the two helps scientists under- and soware for converting the data into maps. stand and predict the response of lakes to natural We also were able to hire an intern to collect data and human-based stressors. and work with volunteers last summer. Seven For instance, shallow lakes can have a lot of ar- lakes were completely surveyed (Adams Pond, eas with enough light to support aquatic plants, Bear Pond, Crystal Lake, Keoka Lake, Keyes which is important to know when looking for Pond, Peabody Pond, and Woods Pond) and two invasive species. Big lakes with deep water are others (Long Lake and Moose Pond) were par- more likely to periodically lose all bottom-water tially surveyed. Over the winter, we have been Ava LaBarge releases a trout fry into the Songo oxygen, thus promoting phosphorus release from busy nding the best way to turn the depth in- River the sediments, fueling algae growth. Nutrients formation into usable maps and accurate, repro- can be ushed out of lakes, but it usually takes ducible volume estimates. We are collaborating longer in bigger lakes. Lakes with lots of open with Maine DEP and others on best practices School Trout Release At the end of April, 6th graders from Lake water are more likely to be mixed by the wind, for this methodology. e raw data and result- Region Middle School released about 900 baby aecting the layers within the lake. ing shape and size metrics will be invaluable for brook trout into the Songo River. In January understanding how each lake functions and for Asked to describe a lake’s size and shape, some they received eggs from the sh hatchery in predicting which lakes are more vulnerable to might use terms like wide or narrow, shallow Casco, which is run by the Department of Inland changes in water quality. or deep, regular or irregular shoreline. But to Fisheries and Wildlife. e release is part of a be more quantitative, size and shape is best de- We recently received additional support from state-wide program that LEA helps to facilitate. scribed and measured using metrics like length, the Deering Fund of the Maine Community Students learn about the importance of trout to width, surface area, shoreline length, volume, Foundation, and intern Jake Moulton is returing the ecosystem and what kind of threats they face, and depth, particularly changes in depth over to work on the project. Our goal is to complete as well as why we want to help by raising them distance. With the advent of digital maps and surveys on Long Lake and Moose Pond and to from egg to fry in the safety of a tank. geographic information systems (GIS), many of acquire data on 11 more lakes. We hope to en- Students went through three dierent stations these parameters can be easily calculated. Volume gage more volunteers this summer. We also plan to help them determine if the Songo River is a estimates, however, still depend on accurate and to have early season trainings for citizen scien- healthy place to release their sh. At the three extensive depth measurements, which are still tists to conduct surveys on their home lakes us- stations students collected dierent types of data. lacking for many lakes. ing the sonar units. Water quality data, namely dissolved oxygen, In response to this need and with support from If you are interested in helping acquire this data, turbidity, pH, and temperature were collected. the Maine Community Foundation and numer- please let us know by calling the Maine Lake A qualitative assessment was made by observing ous volunteers, we began a project last year to Science Center at (207) 647-3318 or emailing the banks of the river and looking at human im- collect high-resolution depth data and create de- [email protected]. Getting depth data does pacts. e last station was an assessment of the tailed bathymetric (or subsurface topographic) not require a long time commitment and is easy, aquatic insects living in the river. Some insects maps of lakes in our service area. e funding al- fun and rewarding. are more sensitive to pollution than others. e presence of may ies and caddis ies conrmed Depth map of Peabody Pond that the water was free of pollution. e stations were run by a combination of LEA sta and volunteers. At the end of the activities all the students decided that the river was a good place to release the trout. Realistically, most of the trout won’t make it to adulthood. Predation from bigger sh and other carnivores keeps the population down. e students are aware of the problems facing the sh they have raised, and they feel good knowing that they were able to help them through their vulnerable egg stage.

LEA educator Mary Jewett with a group of 6th graders

Call for LEA Board Members If you are interested in serving on the Board, or given an overview of LEA programs, introduced e Lakes Environmental Association is gov- if you would like to recommend someone for to sta, and interviewed. erned by a Board of Directors responsible for set- a Board position, please contact Anne Wold at Our goal is to attract qualied candidates with a ting policy, planning for the future, and ensur- [email protected]. Interested individuals variety of skills, expertise, and backgrounds. To ing the nancial soundness of the Association. will be contacted for additional information, achieve this goal, we need your help!

Page 12 Have you been on the Pinehaven Trail at the MLSC? Less Loved Lake Wildlife by Mary Jewett What is the most beloved animal associated with tion from predators. Having leeches in your lake lakes? Loons, right? Loons are gorgeous and cap- is not a reason to stay out of the water. But do tivating, but hundreds of articles have been writ- keep some salt handy just in case. ten about them. Instead, I would like to spotlight Who hates duck itch? If you don’t know what it some well-known, but less loved species. is, duck itch (or swimmer’s itch) is a rash that What is the most reviled animal associated with can develop aer swimming in an area with a lakes? We could take a poll, but I already know lot of waterfowl. e itch is caused by a parasite most people will say leeches. ese blood suck- that lives inside ducks and other waterfowl. Just ing creatures play a part in the ecosystem just like the leech bite, duck itch is mostly harmless. like all aquatic bugs. ey provide food for sh, It can be very uncomfortable but the parasites turtles, larger insects, ducks and, interesting- can’t live in humans so they die aer rst con- ly, loons. Despite the fear some people have of tact. Still, that’s not a great comfort when you are Baby Snapping Turtle leeches, they are relatively harmless to humans. covered in an itchy rash. ere are a few of solu- come across one on a moonlit swim. Frankly, Many people might take objection to that state- tions to this problem. 1. Don’t swim in an area snapping turtles can be dangerous, in the same ment, but one leech doesn’t have the capacity to with a lot of ducks and 2. If you do swim in an way a snake can be dangerous. If approached, ei- suck enough blood to injure a person. A small area with waterfowl present, briskly rub your ther purposely or accidentally, they have a wicked sh or dragony larva is a dierent story though. skin down with a towel aer swimming. is will bite that can cause serious damage. Bites are rare Leeches are both an important predator and prey remove the parasites before they dig in and form and usually happen because someone is messing species in the lake ecosystem. Swimming in clear, a rash. 3. Don’t feed ducks. One of the reasons with a snapper. It’s best to just leave them alone. rocky or sandy areas can help you avoid leeches, ducks congregate in large numbers, especially at If you do come across one in the road, I suggest since they like to hang out in the muck as protec- beaches, is because people feed them. Foods peo- trying to move it with a shovel. Smaller turtles ple commonly feed to ducks, such as bread, are can be handled by grabbing the back of the shell actually very bad for them. Do yourself and the with both hands, but this wouldn’t work with a ducks a favor by letting them forage for their own large snapping turtle because they are just too food. Mallard ducks are the most common and heavy. Never grab a turtle by the tail as that can visible duck species that we have in Maine. ey cause injury. No matter how (subjectively) ugly are beautiful and also play a role in the ecosys- snapping turtles may be, they are also amazing tem. ey eat aquatic insects (like leeches) and creatures. Not much data exists about how long provide food for larger predators like foxes, rac- snapping turtles live in the wild but most studies coons, and our next unloved species, the snap- say at least 40, possibly as much as 90 years. Once ping turtle. they reach maturity they can eat just about any- Male Mallard Duck While seeing a snapping turtle from a distance thing else in the lake, including ducks, sh and can be a cool experience, you wouldn’t want to other turtles. Oh, and human toes of course.

sh. ese sh, as the name suggests, require cold tervals and each one takes a temperature reading Lake Strati cation water temperatures to survive; however, they also every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day for the dura- Continued from Page 9 require adequate oxygen levels. is means they tion of deployment, which lasts until the lakes must live near the bottom of the lake in the sum- have fully mixed. is results in 96 pro les a eventually the temperature gradient becomes too mer. If dissolved oxygen levels get too low, they day and over 15,000 pro les per season – much steep and the lake strati es. In addition to water get stressed and may stop growing, or may even better detail and time coverage than the manu- density, the heat capacity of water is responsible die if there is no suitable habitat available. ally collected pro les we collect only 8 times per for allowing deeper lakes to stratify for entire e length of strati cation is also an important year as part of routine water quality monitoring. summers (rather than constantly mixing). is is factor that helps determine water quality. Most Lakes in our geographical region are on the edge because water holds onto heat, and it takes a large of the lakes and ponds LEA tests stratify in late of signi cant changes to strati cation patterns. amount of energy to increase or decrease water April or May and mix anywhere from September As mentioned, ice-out date and seasonal weather temperature, so although it may be cold at night, to early November, depending on the size and patterns can greatly aect the duration of strati- the water holds enough heat that it doesn’t experi- depth of the lake. If the lake mixes early or sud- cation. As we see increasingly earlier ice out in ence as large of a temperature drop as the air does. denly, perhaps because of a large storm, there the spring and consistently warmer fall tempera- e temperature and density dierence between may be a dramatic increase in surface phos- tures due to climate change, the ice-free season the epilimnion and hypolimnion mean that not phorus levels or a rapid drop in oxygen levels. becomes longer. Eventually, we may see little to only does water have a hard time moving from is could lead to more algae growth and even no full ice cover on our lakes in some years. is one layer to the other, so does anything suspend- warm-water sh kills. On the other hand, if the would allow lakes to continuously mix over the ed or dissolved in that water: dissolved oxygen lake remains strati ed for an extended period of winter, warming water temperatures gradually and algae generally stay within the epilimnion, time, this increases the risk of anoxic conditions and resulting in warmer average water tempera- and phosphorus that may be released by sedi- because it lengthens the amount of time the bot- tures. is could potentially lead to the disrup- ments stays in the hypolimnion. tom waters remain cut o from the air. Increased tion of coldwater sh habitat, low oxygen condi- is lack of exchange between the top and bot- algae levels are sometimes seen in the fall when tions aecting more of the water column, and an tom layers is one of the things that makes strati- the lake mixes; however fall mixing is typically increase in surface phosphorus levels. more gradual (allowing the lake to “acclimate” to cation so important within lakes. e bottom reats to our lakes such as these are why LEA changing nutrient levels) and the colder temper- waters slowly lose dissolved oxygen over the has invested in high-resolution monitoring and atures do not favor bloom-forming algae. course of the summer through decomposition increased our lake research through the Maine and other processes, and this oxygen cannot LEA has been able to learn a great deal about Lake Science Center. We hope to be able to avoid be replenished, leading to hypoxia (low oxygen individual lakes’ strati cation patterns through dramatic changes to water quality by understand- levels) and even anoxia (no oxygen). When this the deployment of in-lake sensors. Our high- ing the mechanisms that lead to these changes. happens, phosphorus may be released from the resolution temperature monitoring program We also believe in the importance of collecting sediments, which could contribute to an algae allows us to deploy sensors soon aer lakes are long-term data, which allows us to analyze pat- bloom. Anoxia also negatively aects coldwater ice-free. ese sensors are located at 2-meter in- terns and predict changes before they happen.

Septic systems have a lifespan of about 25 years Page 13 Water Testing Program Update In recent years, LEA’s water testing program has grown into two distinct parts: the comprehen- 2017 Water Testing Interns Kayla Gray, Chloe Wendler, Grace Kimzey, sive, routine monitoring we’ve been doing for de- Isabella Davis, and Jake Moulton. cades that includes clarity, oxygen, temperature, chlorophyll, and phosphorus readings, and the newer “advanced testing” that started in 2013. Our routine monitoring program consists of bi- monthly summer sampling. e data collected is used to assess long-term water quality changes in our lakes. Our advanced testing program con- tinues to evolve as we add to our ever-expanding knowledge of the Lakes Region’s unique lakes and ponds. With the development of the Maine Lake Science Center, we have been able to ac- quire equipment and resources that allowed for this expansion in our testing program. Local lake associations have also helped us broaden test- ing on their lakes each year with their nancial support. on 22 lakes. Several sonde proles were also to a full and productive water testing season! In 2017, our advanced testing accomplish- collected. We hope to add the following to our Of course, we couldn’t do all that we do with- ments included deploying two high-resolution advanced testing programs in 2018: permanent out our hard-working summer interns. is multi-parameter monitoring buoys (one on mounting of algae samples, adding continu- year, we have Kayla Gray and Jake Moulton re- Highland Lake, one on Long Lake), counting 56 ous temperature monitoring on Bear Pond, pi- turning for their second years, with Jake again Gloeotrichia samples from 22 lakes, setting up loting a citizen science Gloeotrichia monitor- working part time on the bathymetry proj- 16 continuous temperature monitoring buoys ing program on Moose Pond, and increasing ect. New this summer will be Olivia Mills and on 12 lakes, analyzing 60 algae samples from the use of our multi-parameter sonde and eld Kirsten Stemmler. If you see LEA sta or interns 12 lakes, and collecting 48 uorometer proles uorometer. As always, we are looking forward on your lake this summer, be sure to say hello! Wooly Adelgid on Sebago’s Shores by Colin Holme A new invader that could negatively impact water Use of insecticides quality is quickly making its way into our area. It comes with risk and is not an invasive aquatic plant like milfoil but a thorough evalu- instead a tiny terrestrial insect called Hemlock ation of the pros, Woolly Adelgid. is aphid-like insect can kill cons, and alterna- o whole stands of Hemlock trees, which make tives should always up an important part of our shoreline buers. be considered. e While the state is working to slow down the ad- insecticide used vancement of this noxious invader, there are sev- on Frye Island is a eral things landowners can do (see below) to help in a class of pesti- prevent its spread throughout the Lake Region. cides called neonic- Hemlocks are a long-lived, slow growing tree and otinoids, which are the only shade tolerant conifer in Maine. ese highly toxic to many characteristics allow the tree to wait patiently in insects and moder- the understory for an opportunity to take o and ately toxic to mam- ll gaps created when other trees die. ey can mals. In the sun, it Hemlock Wooly Adelgid appears as small whitish-gray balls at the base tolerate moist soils and young trees can be easily has a short half-life of the Hemlock needles pruned into a hedge. Although the wood of the and quickly disap- Hemlock is naturally rot resistant, it is not a com- pears but in ground it can last for over 3 years. ey should not be moved as this may spread the mercially viable tree species. It needs to be applied when the trees are actively infestation. Once on the ground, it is unlikely the Today, Hemlock is one of the most dominant photosynthesizing but when other insects, par- insect will climb back up into a tree. If you do trees in the riparian zone and groves of this beau- ticularly bees, are not around. It is a tricky busi- have the Adelgid, tree work should be done out- tiful species provide habitat for deer, bear and ness and very controlled and targeted applica- side of the season when the insects are actively porcupine as well as many other species. But the tions are best. Only licensed pesticide applicators moving (March through July in Maine). Another Hemlock Woolly Adelgid can kill large swaths are allowed to use these products commercially vector for this species is birds. To help prevent of these trees as it has already done in south- and it is illegal to use any insecticide in a way that infestations from spreading via birds, bird feed- ern New England and New York. It has been on is not described on the product’s label. ers should only be used in the winter months and the coast of Maine for around ten years and the What can you do? taken down in March. At a minimum, feeders should be far away from any Hemlock trees as Maine Forest Service has been actively and ag- Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is oen spread by gressively trying to control the spread but it has birds usually grab seeds and y back to nearby cars and people. If a person or vehicle brushes trees for cover. now got a foothold around the shores of Sebago. up against an infested tree, these little bugs Last fall, the forest service treated a large patch can hitch a ride and easily move to another To identify Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, look for on Frye Island near the public works with the in- Hemlock. To prevent this, the Forest Service small, fuzzy, whitish-grey balls on the underside secticide Dinotefuran. ey treated by spraying recommends pruning back the branches of all of the needles where they meet the stem. the bark of the trees with a wand sprayer. ey Hemlock trees along roads and trails. Cutting If you are interested in nding out more, stop did not work near the water and their primary back healthy, non-infested branches is a way by LEA’s main oce for a fact card or check out goal was to help prevent the introduction of the to reduce your property’s susceptibility to the what the Maine Forest Service has compiled at: insect by large re trucks and other vehicles that invader. If your trees already have the insect, http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/ routinely move in and out of the area. branches should be cut and le on the ground. insects/hemlock_woolly_adelgid.htm

Page 14 Don’t fertilize your lawn without a soil test rst Maine Lake Science Watershed Educator Retreat at the Science Center Center Campaign Finish Line in Sight! It was a warm winter day in February of 2013 when the LEA Board rst visited the future home of the Maine Lake Science Center. e concept of the Center had emerged a couple of years earlier, and one possible site had been exten- sively researched, but the owner’s oer was with- drawn. e Flint property oered connections to Pondicherry Park and 18 acres of woodlands, but the structure was questionable. e decision to renovate the log cabin and garage was not easy, but once that was decided, the Campaign was de ned. e goal was to raise enough in con- tributions or in-kind donations to purchase the e Maine Lakes Collaborative by Peter Lowell property, re-construct the building, fully out- Imagine what could happen if state agencies, needs, and developing marketing and evaluation t it (including a lake lab), and provide stang lake associations, conservation groups, consul- plans for course oerings. through 2020 – LEA’s 50th Anniversary. tants and academic researchers all got together e Lake Science Team initiated a program to Initially $1.2 million was determined to be ad- to help Maine’s lakes. Now imagine having them expand the capability of organizations monitor- all work on a common action plan. ere’s great equate, but the usual construction surprises and ing lakes across the state and increase data col- news! is really is happening. ree years new items that were essential led to the nal goal lection on waterbodies not routinely sampled. ago, LEA developed the Tipping Point Strategy, of $1,450,000. e Campaign started in 2014 To help accomplish this goal, monitoring pack- which Linda Bacon of the Maine DEP re ned for with a real sense of urgency that Maine’s lakes ages for regional lake hubs were created. ese presentation at our 2017 researcher retreat. is needed help before more succumb to noxious bundles included funding for half the cost of an document and plan, e Maine Lake Protection algae blooms. A mix of excitement and concern intern for the upcoming eld season, a string of and Research Collaborative, became the state’s fueled the project. in-lake temperature sensors, lake-bottom sedi- blueprint for protecting lakes into the future. ment analysis, and a new optical dissolved oxy- Now, four years in, LEA is approaching its goal e “Collaborative” identi es 47 de ned tasks gen meter. In accepting funding and equipment, with the Center in full operation. e new Phil involving 36 partners. Its work is allocated each organization agreed to obtain data on un- Chute Memorial Lake Lab is out tted and over- to three teams: Lake Science, Education and der-sampled waterbodies. seen by Dr. Ben Peierls, the center’s Research Communication, and Policy. Everyone who par- Specialized packages were also provided to oth- Director. Five researcher retreats have led to the ticipates is linked by an email based list where development of the Maine Lake Protection and er organizations based on their speci c needs. news, events, ideas, information, and notices are e Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program/Lake Research Collaborative, a framework that is har- posted and shared. is is an open process that Stewards of Maine received funds to augment nessing Maine’s colleges, universities, conser- welcomes new groups, experts, and researchers their training and certi cation capacity. e vation organizations, agencies and consultants as it evolves. Many of the events, services, and Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust purchased a wa- to forge a common eort to study and preserve resources oered are channeled through region- tershed model to enhance their education curric- water quality. Dozens of state and local groups al hubs in Belgrade (BRCA/7 Lakes Alliance), ulum. e 30 Mile River Watershed Association have used the Center’s conference facilities, and Edgecomb (Midcoast Conservancy), and received funding for half the cost of a summer interns and researchers have stayed in the resi- Bridgton (LEA). intern, and the Cobbossee Watershed District dential quarters. Last fall, the Collaborative shied into ac- received funds to analyze bottom sediments on LEA is hoping to raise the remaining funds (now tion mode with help from the Elmina Sewall three lakes to determine susceptibility to inter- less than $75,000) by the end of the summer and Foundation, an anonymous family foundation, nal phosphorus loading. LEA also committed to you can help. If you have not already contribut- and a Patagonia environmental grant. Since then, advanced sonde pro ling on Highland Lake in ed, please consider making a gi or a two-year and with guidance from several other organiza- Windham in order to assess and understand the pledge by sending a donation to the LEA Maine tions, LEA has made large strides forward and recent algae blooms on the lake. Additionally, we Lake Science Center Fund. You could be the one has stepped up to lead the three work teams. will be helping the Acton Wake eld Watershed who completes the ve-year Campaign to create Alliance collect bottom sediment samples on two LEA hosted an Education Team Watershed and operate this remarkable addition to compre- of their water bodies to determine phosphorus Retreat with twenty professionals from around resuspension susceptibility. hensive lake protection. the state. e purpose was to explore existing en- vironmental lake education programming, share e Lake Policy Team initiated a series of spring Dr. Ben Peierls resources, de ne program needs and gaps, de- workshops to de ne opportunities and barri- in the MLSC lab. velop goals, and discuss holding courses at the ers to lake protection. e discussions revealed Maine Lake Science Center and other regional new ideas for legislation, ordinance upgrades, hubs. LEA sta synthesized outcomes of the re- education, messaging, and voluntary action in- treat into action items in preparation for follow- centives. Sessions at the Midcoast Conservancy, up workshops this summer. Speci c next steps Maine Audubon, Belgrade, and LEA’s Maine include: Formalizing a statewide network of Lake Science Center were well attended and are lake educators, developing a list of priority top- stirring interest among organizations statewide. ics and programming, working with partners to Organizations throughout Maine are now using ll program gaps, advancing opportunities for the Collaborative as a reference document. It is regionalizing and standardizing course oerings, exciting to see the connections and sharing that identifying eld trip opportunities statewide, are taking place. Maine’s lakes are sure to bene t identifying teaching resource and transportation from this work. In fact, they already are!

Stay in deep water for water skiing and wake boarding Page 15 An Overview of LEA Membership Connect with Us! When you give LEA a donation, your one-year your gi, make your check payable to “Lakes ere are many ways for you to interact with membership begins. e month before your do- Environmental Association” and send it to 230 LEA and keep up on what we are doing as an Main Street, Bridgton, Maine 04009. You can nation date anniversary, LEA will send a letter organization year-round. Watch our sum- also set up recurring monthly donations that t advising that your membership is about to ex- mer water testing interns as they work or any budget by getting in touch with us or email- pire and expressing our hope that you will renew. our educators as they teach the wonders of ing [email protected]. is is a convenient Four to ve months aer you become a member our watershed. Stay connected with us by way to make sure your membership never lapses. we will send out our Annual Special Appeal. is liking us on Facebook and following us on Or feel free to renew your membership in person appeal is in support of something speci c and Instagram (@lakesenvironmental). Don’t for- at our Main Street oce where you can check out changes every year. By becoming a member and get to check our website, mainelakes.org, for our invasive plant tanks and eld guide library. donating to the Special Appeal you are helping the latest water testing results on your favor- LEA maintain the superb water quality that this A special thank you goes out to the families who ite lake. You will also nd our current events area is known for. made a bequest provision for LEA in their estate calendar, information on invasive plants, ere are many bene ts to membership - make planning this year. Whether giving through your news of the Maine Lake Science Center and the most of it! will, living trust, life insurance policy, or quali- more! Please don’t hesitate to call us at our • Free admission and early sign up for most ed retirement plan, you should make your des- Main Street oce if you have any questions of our LEA events, workshops and environ- ignation for “Lakes Environmental Association, at 207-647-8580. mental education classes a charitable and environmental organization in Bridgton, Maine.” Stock and mutual fund do- • LEA newsletter mailed to you twice a year nations are another welcome way to support • Technical assistance for landowners: Have LEA. Such donations are handled through our you ever wondered how to keep your drive- Vanguard account. If you are making a gi of way from eroding into the lake? Which plants mutual funds or securities through a nancial in- would grow best on your property? All mem- stitution, please contact LEA to help you through the process. Looking for a unique way to give to LEA? bers are entitled to a free consultation! Stop into your local TD Bank and ask about • Knowledge that your donation will help We want to know our members so that we can the Anity Program. Here’s how it works: serve you better. If you are a new member, please keep our lakes free of algae blooms and in- If you have an existing checking account TD let us know your connection to the area and the vasive plants by supporting innovative water Bank will donate $10 to LEA. For opening a waterbody that you most love. Make sure that monitoring, comprehensive milfoil control, new checking account TD Bank will donate you provide us with your winter and summer community collaborations, and experiential- $50 to LEA. For a new or existing savings mailing address, email address, and tell us if you based educational programming for all ages account TD Bank will donate a percentage of are related to or aliated with families that are the average balance to LEA. is all happens We make it easy to give! LEA welcomes gis members. LEA never shares information with at no cost to you! Simply give them the LEA by check or credit card, by mail, phone, or on- anyone outside our organization. Your support is code: AF307. line at www.mainelakes.org. If you wish to mail much appreciated! LEA Honor Roll LEA wants to honor its most signi cant benefac- e LEA board has determined that its most tors, but we need your help to do it. generous benefactors should be publicly rec- Another way to support LEA at no cost to LEA is built around the generosity of our mem- ognized. e recognition will be a listing (the you is by shopping with Amazonsmile and bers. Over the years we have received gis of “Honor Roll”) of these extraordinary donors, the selecting LEA as the bene ciary. ey will every sort that have helped pay our sta, cover list to be periodically published in our newslet- donate a percentage of each sale to LEA. is costs, and grow programs. We genuinely appreci- ter. But we have two obstacles to providing this is an easy way to support us while buying the ate every donation that is given to us. recognition: things you need anyway. Over time, some families and individuals have 1. We need to know if any major donor prefers taken their LEA support to another level. is not to be recognized; and generosity has allowed LEA to succeed in its mis- sion and enjoy achievements other lake organi- 2. We need to identify members who have in- zations around the state could only dream of. cluded LEA in their estate or gi planning, but have not informed LEA of these plans. Member generosity takes many forms: annual To address item 2, we need each member who giving, large one-time gis, estate planning using To address item 1, we have added a check box has included LEA in their estate or gi plan- testamentary gis, and lifetime planned giving in our membership donation form inquiring ning to let us know of the planning. No de- (such as through charitable remainder trusts or whether donors wish to remain unnamed. We tails need be provided other than that the similar tax advantaged means) have all become also plan to contact large donors directly to in- planning has taken place. Please feel free to an integral part of LEA’s funding. Each gi helps quire about any preference for anonymity and to contact Colin Holme (207-647-8580 or co- us create a legacy of clean and beautiful lakes. make sure we list them accurately. [email protected]) about the Honor Roll. Are you an LEA member? Please help us protect our lakes! You can join LEA with a contribution of any amount. Just mail this form and a donation to LEA, 230 Main Street, Bridgton ME 04009. You can also join or renew at www.mainelakes.org. Name______Donation Information $1000 Benefactor Winter Address______I would like to make an Anonymous Gi $500 Patron additional donation to the: (We occasionally Summer MAILING Address ______$250 Sponsor Maine Lake acknowledge our donors publicly. Check this box $150 Lake Sponsor Science Center $____ Favorite Lake______if you would like your $100 Family Mifoil Fund $____ donation to remain Environmental anonymous.) Year Round Phone______$50 Individual Education Fund $____ $____ Other Amount Email______Yes Check enclosed. Charge my credit card $______Would you like to receive emails on LEA outings, events, and educational oerings? No Credit Card # ______Expiration Date ___ /___ I am interested in information on estate planning and planned giving: CVC ______Signature ______