Webinar: How to Lead a Plant Paddle
Webinar: Travel Team Orientation
This webinar is about Lake Stewards of Maine’s IPP Travel Team, a group of dedicated invasive plant patrollers who venture their home lakes to address aquatic invasive species issues across Maine.
The Travel Team has proven itself to be one of LSM’s most powerful tool in confronting the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Maine. In this program, volunteers will learn about the work the Travel Team does in surveying lakes for AIS, assisting with rapid response and mapping surveys, educating others, and providing support for budding invasive plant patrol teams across the state. Guests will also learn about upcoming Travel Team volunteer opportunities, see how the Travel Team visits truly remarkable and beautiful places across Maine, and how everybody has something to contribute to the work of this community of dedicated volunteer scientists.
Webinar: Plant Manual Control Methods
On Monday, June 1 from 9am to 10:30am, Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) is hosting this online session of the 2026 Aquatic Invasive Plant Manual Control Methods Training in collaboration with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Lakes Environmental Association.
This webinar outlines a variety of manual control methods for aquatic invasive plants present in Maine. Guests will learn about basic biology and identifying characteristics for a variety of known aquatic invasive species (AIS) and their native lookalikes, how to manually remove AIS safely and effectively, and Maine permitting and reporting requirements for manual control methods
DISCLAIMER: Plant removal without a Permit is ILLEGAL‼️
Webinar: Survey123 for IPPers
Sign up for the Survey123 for IPPers Webinar on June 9, at 2:00 PM.
Survey123 for IPPers teaches Invasive Plant Patrollers how to use Survey123, a powerful geographic information system (GIS) and online survey tool used to documenting and tracking volunteer surveys.
In-Person: IPP Workshop
Plant Paddle Workshops
Plant Paddle workshops are 3-hour, on-water programs. In these volunteer trainings, guests learn basic survey methods, how to collect plant samples, how to rule out possible invasives and suspicious plants using a Quick Key, how to properly collect and submit survey data, and how to report occurrences of suspicious plants.
Should be prepared to bring their own kayak, canoe, or small boat. Guests who are unable to provide a boat may contact Lake Stewards of Maine so appropriate accommodations can be made.
Those attending Plant Paddle workshops are eligible for Tier 1 IPP Certification.
In-Person: Live Plant ID Workshops
Live Plant ID workshops are 3-hour, indoor programs. In these volunteer trainings, guests learn how to use a Field Guide to identify around 40 native and invasive plants. Volunteers handle live plants, use tools to determine their identifies, and determine whether they are invasive or not.
Live Plant ID classes are a good way to be introduced to the study of aquatic invasive plants without the need of on-water equipment. They are also useful skills building workshops for invasive plant patrollers of all skill-levels.
Those attendending Live Plant ID workshops are partially eligible for Tier 2 IPP Certification, along with completing the IPP 101 webinar and its accompanying review quiz.
Workshop: Aquatic Invasive Species for anglers, waterfowl hunters, Maine Guides and anyone who enjoys Maine's lakes.
Friday, July 31, 2026 at 10am
This workshop is designed for recreational users of Maine’s lakes, specifically sportsmen. It will consist of a presentation portion which will also be broadcast online and recorded, and a hands-on activity for those who are attending in person.
The presentation will cover background information on aquatic invasive species, identification characteristics, and Clean, Drain, Dry procedures. After the presentation, in-person participants will get the chance to use LSM’s Quick Key in a hands-on activity involving real specimens.
Registration for In-person attendance: https://forms.gle/hCcvWTUeSoqnMQjW9
Registration for Online attendance: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M9a7TimpRTSNh-W7LbGMbA
Recording - Invasive Plant Patrol 101 (IPP 101)
Invasive Plant Patrol 101
Learn about how to identify each of Maine’s 15 potentially invasive plants and their native lookalikes, proper surveying methods and how to organize an invasive plant patrol team, and how to properly report and submit findings. This class is required for those seeking Tier 2 Certification by Lake Stewards of Maine. An accompanying review quiz will be required for certification.
Date: May 9, 9am – 12 pm
“Know Your Milfoils”- 11/06
“Know Your Milfoils” will consider milfoils, a famously tricky to identify group of plants. This program will show how to determine Maine’s six native species of milfoil from three invasive species found in the state.
Invasive Plant Patrol (IPP) 101 – Recording is Available Now
IPP 101 is a 3-hour online class designed to teach beginner invasive plant patrollers about how to survey for aquatic invasive species (AIS).
In this course, volunteers learn how to identify the 15 aquatic invasive plants found on Maine’s watch-list and the threats they pose to Maine’s environment, economy, and public health. In addition to invasives, guests will learn about the beneficial native plants often confused with harmful invaders. The course also teaches beginning IPPers how to safely and effectively survey for plants, how to collect and submit plants for identification, how to properly record and submit survey data, how to organize an effective IPP team, and how to become a Certified Invasive Plant Patroller.
A review quiz accompanies this program. All those seeking Tier 2 Certification must complete this quiz after viewing IPP 101 to be eligible.
“Know Your Naiads”-10/24
Focused on determining brittle naiad, an aquatic invasive species, from other naiad species found in Maine.
IPP Travel Team Webinar – June 19
Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) will host a webinar and information session on the IPP Travel Team on Wednesday, June 19 at 9:00 am
LSM’s IPP Travel Team is new initiative which aims to bring invasive plant patrollers of all skill levels around the state to help survey for aquatic invasive species (AIS). The Travel Team welcomes anybody who wants to get outdoors, see beautiful and serene Maine lakes, and monitor for invasive plants and animals beyond their home lakes. In this webinar, novice and experienced IPPers can learn about the many ways they can help, learn about what LSM can offer Travel Team volunteers, see this season’s Travel Team locations, and ask questions of LSM’s AIS staff.
Invasive Plant Patrol 101
Learn about how to identify each of Maine’s 15 potentially invasive plants and their native lookalikes, proper surveying methods and how to organize an invasive plant patrol team, and how to properly report and submit findings. This class is required for those seeking Tier 2 Certification by Lake Stewards of Maine. An accompanying review quiz will be required for certification.