Maine Lakefront Real Estate: Earth Day at the Lake

Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine Apr. 6-12
Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine Apr. 6-12
April 5, 2017
Out and About for the Bangor Lakes Region of Maine Apr. 13-19
Out and About for the Bangor Lakes Region of Maine Apr. 13-19
April 12, 2017

Maine Lakefront Real Estate: Earth Day at the Lake

Maine Lakefront Real Estate: Earth Day at the Lake

Earth Day at the Lake

It may seem hard to believe, but Earth Day is upon us! On April 22, people all over the globe will be making small but collective efforts to protect and preserve the air, land, and water that we depend on in so many ways. The true beauty of Earth Day isn’t necessarily about the images of blooming flowers, crystal-clear waters or majestic mountains, but more so stems from the unification of people working towards a common goal.
You might say to yourself, “but whatever I do on this one day certainly won’t be enough to ‘save the planet.’” This is true, but when your actions are combined with those of others who are making an effort, big things can start to happen. Kate Williams, CEO of 1% For the Planet, notes that “anyone can make a difference on Earth Day by simply incorporating little changes into their daily routines” (Bradford, 2015).
So, how do you get started? Luckily, there is a handful of ways that lakefront property owners can make a difference on Earth Day—for both their lake and for the planet as a whole. Maine’s waters are a natural gift that should not be taken for granted, but unfortunately, this is sometimes forgotten. You can begin your Earth Day planning by researching the challenges that your lake faces and learning how you can help prevent and possibly reverse those challenges. Runoff and pollution? Milfoil or other invasive plant species? Dwindling plant and animal species? To learn more about the threats and concerns regarding your lake, check out the Lakes Environmental Association’s website where you can search across many of Maine lakes and read detailed information about their respective challenges.
Finally, commit yourself to at least one small environmentally-friendly change you can make that will positively impact your immediate surroundings—and perhaps even beyond! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Check for runoff. One way to do this is to monitor the natural pathways of water flow across your property during a period of rain. This time of year, with all the melting snow, is an ideal time to keep track of the amount of runoff entering your lake. If you notice a pattern, it is time to look into ways to buffer runoff. Runoff from lawns into lake can carry harmful fertilizers, pesticides, groundwater, bacteria, metals, petroleum by-products, and more into lakes.
Build a compost bin for food scraps and other biodegradable materials that are otherwise contributing the landfill. Also—recent research in Belgrade has found that composting may actually be a potential way to do away with milfoil and turn it into something useful! Of course, make sure that your compost bin isn’t contributing to runoff and that is securely located away from the shore!
Plant trees, shrubs, or wildflowers on your property. We all know that natural vegetation is beneficial to the environment in many ways (and also aesthetically pleasing), but it also helps create a buffer that can prevent runoff from your property into the lake!
Organize a shoreline clean-up. Get your friends and neighbors together and take a trip around the lake to pick up trash that has accumulated over time. This can be a very effective and unifying community event that will leave your lake looking pristine and well-cared for!
Ride your bike for a day instead of driving. See, it’s not so bad! Now, try to make a commitment to bike (or walk) rather than drive when possible. Not only is better for the environment, it’s also better for your health!
Use less water, and turn off your lights. While these seem to be pretty basic practices, it’s amazing what a difference they can make over time!
Recycle! No need for that stuff to go into the landfill!
Remember that Earth Day shouldn’t be a one-day event; it should be practiced every day. The more consistent you are with your sustainable practices, the bigger the impact you will have on your lake, your community, and even the planet. And who wouldn’t want that!
Finally, if you’re looking to expand your environmentally-friendly practices beyond the shores of your lake, home, backyard, or even local community, Environment Maine’s website provides an updated list of environmental issues that are affecting the state in a variety of ways. Check it out to see what issues grab your attention and that you may want to commit yourself to!
Happy Earth Day!

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