WELCOME TO MAINE LAKES

PROTECTING MAINE'S LAKES & PONDS

We are a nonprofit, charitable membership organization, and continue to be the clear voice for protection of our most precious freshwater resources and wildlife habitat. We work to support everyone who values and benefits from clean water and healthy lakes in Maine, including lake residents, lake associations, surrounding communities, vacationers and the next generation of lake stewards.

LakeSmart Volunteers

learn about best management practices
updated fact sheets now available!
Best Management Practices (BMPs), including the installation of live stakes shown above, are conservation practices that keep our lakes clean. BMPs can be implemented on any property to manage rainfall and reduce erosion, protecting long-term water quality and overall lake and watershed health. Andrea Stevens, LakeSmart Manager, was on the team that worked with the Maine DEP and Portland Water District over the last year to update and add to BMP homeowner information sheets.
 
Visit our BMP page and scroll down to access the new sheets covering fifteen practices from dripline trenches to rain gardens.


We're coming to Skowhegan!

Join Maine Lakes and Lake Wesserunsett Association for an evening to learn about and celebrate our work to preserve and protect Maine’s lakes and ponds!

Unwined owner Mary Haley is crafting something special for Maine lake lovers. You won't want to miss this opportunity to support a local business and two great organizations working to keep our lakes clean and healthy!

Wednesday, June 24, 2026
5:00 - 8:00 PM
Unwined Wine Bar & Tap House
151 Water Street, Skowhegan

The 2026 conference is sold out!

If you didn't sign up to join us, please stay in touch throughout the year and make plans to attend the conference in 2027. 
 

KEEPING LAKES HEALTHY: BMP VIDEO SERIES

Installing a Rain Garden
 

INSTALLING AN OPEN TOP CULVERT

watch VIDEO


INSTALLING An infiltration pathway 

watch VIDEO

Installing a Rain Garden
 

INSTALLING drip line trenches

watch VIDEO

Installing a Rain Garden
 

INSTALLING A RAIN GARDEN

watch VIDEO

 

INSTALLING A VEGETATIVE BUFFER

watch VIDEO

INSTALLING RUBBER RAZORS

Installing Infiltration Steps

INSTALLING INFILTRATION STEPS

LAKESMART

This free voluntary, non-regulatory program helps lakefront homeowners maintain lake-friendly landscapes that reduce pollution and runoff. Learn how to get LakeSmart active on your lake.

JUMP IN!

Donate or become a member today.
You will join a growing community of people dedicated to keeping Maine’s lakes clean and healthy.

our values

Maine Lakes values integrity, stewardship, collaboration, excellence, and environmental justice. We instill those values in everything we do.

E-Newsletters

Read our 2026 e-newsletters here or check out our newsletter archive for past issues.

Maine Lakes E-News  March 2026
February 2026
January 2026
December 2025
November 2025
October 2025

LakeSmart E-News   April 2025