Training and certification are central to the work we perform at Lake Stewards of Maine.
All volunteer water quality monitors and invasive plant patrollers must be certified
in order for their data to be shared publicly.
High-quality, replicable data collection is essential to ensuring scientific credibility.
This allows us—and other researchers—to better understand and protect Maine’s exceptional lakes.
Learn more about our programs:
- Water Quality Monitoring Program
- Aquatic Invasive Species Program
- Watershed Survey Workshops (typically offered once or twice per year)
- Ice Cover Monitoring Program (no certification required)
To see upcoming workshops with available space, visit our
Workshops & Events page.
If you are interested in becoming certified, please fill out the form below.
Thank you for your interest!
Before you begin:
Completing this form lets us follow up with you about upcoming trainings and the certification process.
This form does NOT register you for a specific training.
After you submit, we will contact you with next steps and available training options.
If you experience any issues with the form, please email stewards@lakestewardsme.org .
Volunteer Lake Monitoring: Data That Protects the Lakes We Love
For more than five decades, trained volunteer lake scientists have collected critical information about Maine’s lakes. These data are the foundation for understanding lake health, detecting changes, and making informed decisions to protect the waters we treasure.
Every Secchi reading, water sample, and observation tells a story about a lake—from the clarity of the water where your grandchildren swim, to the conditions that support healthy fisheries, loons, and the wildlife that depend on these ecosystems.
The Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) volunteer monitoring program is built on a simple idea: people who love their lakes are often the best people to help protect them. Through rigorous training, standardized methods, quality assurance practices, and ongoing technical support, LSM volunteers collect reliable data that are used by lake communities, scientists, and resource managers throughout Maine.
Why Volunteer Monitoring Matters
- Volunteers know their lakes. Living on and near their lakes, volunteer monitors understand what is normal and are often the first to notice changes—such as declining clarity, algae blooms, invasive species, or other emerging concerns.
- Volunteers provide high-quality, long-term data. Many LSM monitors collect data year after year, creating valuable records that reveal trends and help identify problems before they become irreversible.
- Volunteers make statewide monitoring possible. Maine has thousands of lakes. The dedication of local volunteers allows important water quality information to be collected across the state in places that would otherwise be difficult and costly to monitor.
- Volunteers become lake stewards. Through LSM training and support, volunteers gain the knowledge and tools needed to become stronger advocates for their lakes and watersheds.
Trusted Data for Healthy Lakes
LSM volunteer data contribute to a broader understanding of Maine’s lakes and complement monitoring conducted by professional scientists and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Volunteers help track important indicators of lake health, including:
- Water clarity (Secchi transparency)
- Temperature and dissolved oxygen
- Phosphorus and chlorophyll levels
- pH, color, and alkalinity
- Aquatic invasive species observations
- Other biological and chemical indicators
The result is one of Maine’s greatest lake protection resources: a network of trained, committed people collecting valuable information about the places they love.
Protecting Maine’s Lakes, One Data Point at a Time
Clean, healthy lakes do not happen by accident. They are protected by people who pay attention, ask questions, and take action. LSM’s volunteer lake scientists provide the knowledge needed to protect the lakes we swim in, fish in, and pass on to future generations.