Maine Congress of Lake Associations - Maine Lakes Awareness Month

Maine Congress of Lake Associations - Your Voice for Maine Lakes

JULY 2004 IS LAKES AWARENESS MONTH

Governor John Baldacci has proclaimed July, 2004, Lakes Awareness Month. Maine COLA applauds Governor Baldacci’s effort to draw the attention of Maine citizens to the importance, value and fragility of Maine’s more than 6,000 lakes.

Maine lakes benefit the public as drinking water supplies, resources for industry and agriculture, as a magnet for the tourism industry and the source of boating, fishing, swimming, and aesthetic pleasure.

Because they are often considered “free” resources by both lakefront property owners and recreational users, Maine lakes can and do suffer neglect. Under pressure today, the vulnerability of these sparkling assets is not well understood. July is a month when many of us visit lakes, so it provides a great opportunity for all of us to celebrate the vital importance of Maine’s delicate freshwater treasures.

Here are a few suggestions for raising awareness and increasing the visibility of Maine lakes:

Make a rain gauge with a youngster and monitor rainfall in July.

Volunteer to become a water quality monitor (VLMP: 783-7733).

Organize a lakeshore clean-up.

Plan a picnic, regatta, treasure hunt, or festival to stimulate interest in lake awareness.

Teach a youngster how to fish.

Start a Courtesy Boat Inspection Program for a public boat launch in your region (COLA: 877-254-2511).

Become trained as an Invasive Plant Patroller (VLMP: 783-7733) and organize a Plant Patrol Survey of a public boat launch site.

Create a social history of your lake of choice.

Invite a senior citizen for a boat ride on your favorite lake.

Write a newspaper article celebrating the value of Maine lakes.

Begin a storm drain stenciling program.

Relax and enjoy a day on your lake of choice.

Create a Lake Float for your town’s 4th of July Parade.

Snorkel the shoreline and get to know the plants growing underwater so you’ll be able to spot new arrivals (possibly invasive) when they move in.

Do you have additional or better ideas? E-mail them to Maine COLA at and we’ll share them for others to use.