Water Quality Certification Process Quick Links General Information Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) monitors a broad range of environmental indicators that affect the health of Maine Lakes. We have over 500 trained water quality (WQ) volunteers who collect quality scientific data. Their monitoring data and observations provide an extremely valuable resource for lake protection and a […]
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Ice-In & Ice-Out Tracking Quick Links Ice-In & Ice-Out Tracking Please help the Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) track ice-in and ice-out dates for your lake! Submit your ice-in and ice-out dates using our online ice coverage submission form.  For more information on the designations “ice-in” and “ice-out” and how to properly identify theme, please see
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Cyanobacteria Quick Links Water clarity is the most highly valued lake attribute in Maine.1 One likely effect of a warming climate on lakes will be an overall increase in the abundance of algae in lake water, resulting in declining clarity. As lake water warms, the conditions for algal growth are generally enhanced. Of particular concern is
Invasive Aquatic Species Certification Process Quick Links  Invasive Plant Patrol Workshops Greetings Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Patrollers! LSM provided training and informational sessions in an online format in 2020 due to the CoViD-19 outbreak. Since then we have been improving the format and offering of our certifications. In-person AIS workshops began again in 2022.
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Reporting Suspicious Aquatic Species Quick Links Quick Link to Aquatic Invasive Species Reporting Guidance Information Samples collected in 2023 for the Courtesy Boat Inspector Program should be sent to Lake Environmental Association (LEA). Instructions and general guidance for what to do if you find a suspicious plant or animal in your lake below… Collect a specimen:
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Maine’s Early Detection System Quick Links Case studies of infestations throughout the US indicate that once invasive plants become well established in a lake, stream or pond, they are nearly impossible to eradicate. A comprehensive, ongoing effort to prevent the introduction of aquatic invaders to Maine waters, through public education and Courtesy Boat Inspections is, and
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As awareness of this threat to Maine waters has emerged across the state, Mainers have taken swift and decisive action. In 2000, the State of Maine passed legislation that outlaws the sale, propagation, or introduction to Maine waters, of eleven invasive aquatic plants. In 2001 further legislation was enacted, instituting additional regulations, programs and planning requirements…
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Crayfish  Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) – Photo courtesy of Jeff Gunderson Quick Links  Maine is now home to several non-native crayfish species. Of those species known to be from ‘away’, two are considered by state experts to pose the greatest threat to native ecosystems: rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) and red swamp crayfish (Procambarus
Survey123 for Aquatic Invasive Species Quick Links Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) and Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold a webinar on Survey123 and its applications for aquatic invasive species (AIS) monitoring on Thursday, May 16 at 2:00 pm. Survey123 is a powerful and a popular tool that allows volunteers to log accurate lake data in real-time. In this webinar, Becky
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Advanced Plant Identification Quick Links This workshop picks up where IPP 101 leaves off, with more emphasis on learning the ecology and the distinctive physical characteristics of the native plants that inhabit Maine’s lakes and ponds. Attendees will hone their identification skills with live specimens, and have the option of participating in an Aquatic Plant ID Proficiency Certification exam.
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