Meet the summer crew protecting our watershed
Planning a paddle, hike, or swim in Belgrade Lakes? The summer you love starts with healthy lakes and lands, and they do not happen by chance. They are the result of dedicated, year-round care by 7 Lakes Alliance. Each summer, our programs welcome seasonal staff—numbering nearly 100 additional staffers across six programs, to assist conservation efforts across the watershed.
Mobilizing a team of this scale ensures we can effectively manage the conservation challenges facing the Belgrade Lakes watershed. Please see below a snapshot of current efforts to monitor our lands and lakes.
Colby Summer Research Students: Under the direction of Dr. Danielle Wain and Lake Scientist Matt Farragher, six Colby students have started summer field work. Save the date: Colby student research presentations will be held at the 7 Lakes Alliance building on Wednesday, July 29 at 5 PM.
Youth Conservation Corps: YCC crews are already in the field installing a number of erosion control projects across the watershed. A second wave of YCC crew members and two Shore Corps Stewards will soon join the team, under the guidance of Erosion Control program managers Lynn Geiger and Stuart Cole.
Land Conservation & Stewardship: Land Conservation Director Noah Pollock and Stewardship Coordinator Dan Woughter welcome a Colby student intern this summer. Working alongside a dedicated crew of trail volunteers, the team will undertake various conservation projects, including vital site work for the new Homestead Nature & Education Center.
Invasive Aquatics Prevention & Remediation: Invasive Aquatics Director Sharon Mann, along with her program coordinators, a full dive crew, Courtesy Boat Inspectors (CBIs), and a dedicated team of volunteers, have been working in the field for weeks. Both the dive team and CBIs have completed rigorous training and are already active executing vital prevention and remediation efforts.
Programs & Events: Led by Community Engagement Coordinator Sally Whittington with key support from Invasive Aquatics Coordinator Josie Miller, our team has built a robust summer lineup. This season features the newly launched Jr. Ranger program as well as expanded educational boat tours, plant paddles and a canoe & kayak race!
Header image courtesy of Deborah Carroll.
7 Lakes Alliance
Conserving the lands and waters of the Belgrade Lakes Region
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