Fifteen Ways to Become a Better Steward of Your Maine Lake

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Fifteen Ways to Become a Better Steward of Your Maine Lake

Fifteen Ways to Become a Better Steward of Your Maine Lake

Cliffs Overlooking Lower Springy Pond in Otis, Maine

 


by Leigh Macmillen Hayes

 

Those of us who own Maine lakefront property appreciate the beauty before us. Unfortunately, unless we take steps to become better stewards, the lakes will degrade. By developing an understanding of how our favorite lake influences us and what our influence is on it, we will take better care of our local watersheds. We all have a vested interest in fostering stewardship of this beloved resource.

 


 

 

 

Below are fifteen steps you can take to become a better lake steward.

1. Join your local lake or road association. Don’t have one? Start one.

2. Volunteer to inspect boats at your boat launch—look for and remove invasive species while educating boaters on how to prevent their spread in your lake and to others.

3. Help inventory aquatic plants—learn what’s native and what is invasive.

4. Do the same for invasive fish and other species.

5. Offer or attend nature walks in your area to develop an appreciation of the watershed.

6. Give lake monitors a ride to the deep spot of your lake so they can take water samples for research.

7. Maintain a healthy vegetated buffer at your lakefront property.

8. Check your property and alleviate any water erosion issues.

9. Participate in the annual loon count.

10. Find out how you can qualify for a LakeSmart Award.

11. Encourage others not to harass the loons or other wildlife.

12. Honor the wake zones. Waves cause shore land erosion.

13. Avoid using Styrofoam cups, plates, noodles and floats under your docks.

14. The same is true for plastic water bottles, that inevitably end up floating in lakes.

15. Become empowered by learning about steps you can take to protect the air, land and water. Get involved at the community, state or national level.

We should all make informed and responsible decisions for our watershed. It’s our responsibility to promote awareness of the critical role that the lakes play in our social well-being and economic prosperity.

To learn about lakefront properties for sale in Otis, Maine, click on the green box above.

To learn more about lakes with above average water quality, check out the blog links below.

Lower Springy Pond and Floods Pond, Otis, Maine: Deep, Clear and Cold Water Fisheries

Lake Wassookeag, Dexter, Maine: Shining Water Beside Lakefront Real Estate

Great East Lake is Acton, Maine’s Golden Pond

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