MAINE LAKES SOCIETY D/B/A MAINE LAKES

LAKESMART IS MAINE LAKES' FLAGSHIP PROGRAM THAT USES TEAMS OF TRAINED VOLUNTEERS TO VISIT, EDUCATE AND REWARD LAKEFRONT HOMEOWNERS WHO MANAGE THEIR PROPERTIES IN WAYS THAT PROTECT WATER QUALITY, AQUATIC HABITAT, PROPERTY VALUES, AND THE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES HEALTHY LAKES PROVIDE. ANDREA STEVENS MANAGES THE LAKESMART PROGRAM AND HAD HER SECOND FIELD SEASON IN 2023, SPENDING MUCH OF THE BUSY SPRING AND SUMMER MEETING AND SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERS, IDENTIFYING NEEDS AND BARRIERS, AND LOOKING FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE THE PROGRAM. CAROLINE MURAY WAS ON STAFF FOR THE LAKESMART PROGRAM AS THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR HER SECOND FIELD SEASON. IN ADDITION TO ONLINE INTRODUCTIONS, THERE WERE 16 IN-PERSON TRAININGS FOR NEW AND RETURNING VOLUNTEERS WITH 121 ATTENDEES IN 2023. A TOTAL OF 118 EVALUATORS SPENT MORE THAN 1,225 HOURS CONDUCTING 274 LAKESMART EVALUATIONS IN 2023. THE KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR THE LAKESMART PROGRAM INCLUDE CREATING NEW PROGRAMS ON LAKES WHERE MOTIVATED TEAMS OF VOLUNTEERS ARE ENERGIZED AND READY TO ACT, AS WELL AS SUSTAINING MOMENTUM ON LAKES WITH ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS. LAKESMART CREATES BEHAVIORAL NORMS AMONG LAKEFRONT HOMEOWNERS THAT THE RIGHT THING, IN FACT THE ONLY THING, TO DO IS TO STOP EROSION AND PROTECT WATER QUALITY FOR ALL LAKE USERS.

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ARE CENTRAL TO THE MISSION OF MAINE LAKES. IN 2023, WE ENTERED INTO A PARTNERSHIP WITH MAINE AUDUBON TO DIRECT THE "LOOK OUT FOR LOONS" PROGRAM, A VOLUNTEER EFFORT TO IMPROVE LOON SURVIVAL BY DECREASING DISTURBANCE. JAMES REDDOCH TO LEAD THE PROGRAM AND SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGED OVER 100 INTERESTED VOLUNTEERS. WE ALSO LAUNCHED THE FRESHWATER EDUCATION NETWORK, BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS AND A STEERING COMMITTEE. WE HIRED A COLBY COLLEGE INTERN TO INVESTIGATE THE NEED AND FEASIBILITY OF A MONITORING PROGRAM FOR BACTERIA AT FRESHWATER BEACHES. WE CONTINUED TO DISTRIBUTE OUR REVISED LAKE BOOK: A HANDBOOK FOR LAKE PROTECTION. WE PRINTED AN ADDITIONAL 2,000 COPIES FOR BOTH SALE AND TO GIVE TO NEW LAKESMART EVALUATORS AND HOMEOWNERS. WE FILMED FOUR MORE BMP "HOW TO" VIDEOS TO ADD TO OUR HEALTHY LAKES VIDEO SERIES. WE CONTINUED TO PRINT AND DISTRIBUTE PUBLICATIONS COVERING SEPTIC CARE AND SHORELINE BUFFERS. WE VISITED LAKE ASSOCIATIONS ACROSS THE STATE TO ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS AND SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THEY CAN CONTINUE THEIR GOOD WORK PROTECTING MAINE'S LAKES. WE MOVED FROM A PRINTED BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER TO A SEMI- MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, SENDING OUT 7 ISSUES IN 2023 THAT REACHED MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE AND COVERED TOPICS OF INTEREST TO LAKE DWELLERS AND USERS TO HELP THEM BECOME MORE INFORMED AND TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT THEIR LAKES.