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.

JOIN OUR ADVOCACY TRAININGS!

Maine Lakes, working as part of the Lake Protection Coalition, is excited to advocate for a bill before the Maine Legislature this session that will bring $2 MILLION DOLLARS each year to the Lake Water Quality Protection and Restoration Fund, which is housed at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Even better, funding this work would come from unclaimed bottle deposits, which largely remain with bottlers. The opposition to this bill will be fierce and we expect a flood of industry lobbyists to show up in Augusta. To read a few more details about this bill, visit our December newsletter HERE

As part of our Winter Webinar series, hosted with Lake Stewards of Maine, and joined by members of the Lake Protection Coalition, we will be hosting two advocacy trainings in January to share more about the bill and the many ways you can help the bill succeed. We have two dates and times, and content will be duplicated (so just sign up for one!) We look forward to seeing you there!

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH AT NOON-1 p.m.-

Thursday, January 15th 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Can't join the webinar but want to stay informed? Sign up for Maine Lakes’ Legislative Alerts HERE . Thank you for all you do for Maine's lakes and for supporting this amazing opportunity for lakes! 

THANK YOU!!!

You helped us surpass our goal and we raised over $35,000 for our Year End Challenge. This means we will receive an additional $10K from an anonymous donor, tripling our typical year-end giving. Thank you to all who helped us rise to the challenge! While the challenge is over for now, you can also start your year off right with a 2026 donation to help support our on-the-ground programming and actions that directly benefit Maine's healthy lake future.  


JOIN THE MAINELAKES TEAM!

Maine Lakes is looking for an organized Office and Program Administrator to help with programming and logistics. The position is currently 20-24 hours/week but could grow in both time and responsibilities in the future. This is a great job for someone looking for a flexible schedule. The position can be primarily remote but requires occasional time in the Yarmouth office. The full job description can be found HERE

Interested persons should send in a resume and cover letter as one PDF to sgallo@lakes.me. Review of applications will begin immediately. Position is open until filled. 

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.

Statement on racism and equality

This is a pivotal time in our culture, when organizations well outside the realm of political and social action must step up and speak to racism. Please read our full Statement on Racism and Equality.