The trusted voice for Maine's lakes

 

Maine Lakes’ mission is to ensure that our lakes and ponds are safe, healthy, and accessible for people and for wildlife, both today and long into the future.

WE ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS AND HOMEOWNERS through the LakeSmart program to reduce nutrient pollution and improve water quality and wildlife habitat.

WE SUPPORT GRASSROOTS ACTIVISTS who speak up for science-based policies that protect both the ecological and economic values of our lakes.

WE FOSTER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ACTION by supporting our member lake associations with their missions and lake-protection actions.

WE HELP CREATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAKE STEWARDS by connecting educators, organizations, and resources to expand the reach of freshwater education.

Our work ensures that Maine’s lakes are resilient in the face of growing threats and multi-faceted challenges. Our focus on collaboration and cooperation is key to our success. By building strong relationships with agencies and organizations and bringing people together for clean water, we increase the efficiency and reach of lake protection programming.

We envision a future where all of Maine’s lakes are clean and healthy, providing clean drinking water, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, business prospects, and economic benefits to our state.

our work moves us closer to that vision

GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY engages activists and advances strong lake protection policies. As a founding member of the Lake Protection Coalition, we have helped expand lake activist networks and explored new avenues for long-term, sustained lake funding.

LAKESMART trains and supports community volunteers to strengthen shoreline protection. We see less erosion, larger vegetative buffers, and more shoreland habitat protected as a result of our flagship program LakeSmart. Community volunteers engage with their neighbors to promote conservation practices that reduce erosion, protect water quality, and sustain long-term lake protection.   

EDUCATION and OUTREACH around lake conservation topics helps keep lakes clean. We are leading the Freshwater Education Network, an effort that brings educators and resources together with a goal of bringing freshwater education programming to more Maine students.We create and distribute valuable information to homeowners and others looking to protect their lakes, including a Lake Library, native plant guides, conservation practice information, how-to erosion control videos, webinars, an annual conference, and much more, ensuring that people have the tools they need to take action and protect lake health. 

LAKE ASSOCIATION SUPPORT for over 100 lake association members across the state, provides resources, guidance, and consultations with our staff and outside experts.

OUR CORE VALUES 

INTEGRITY: We maintain open communication with our volunteers and donors about our work to counter threats to lake health.

STEWARDSHIP: We share current best practices and the most up-to-date scientific data with our members to help them become effective lake stewards.

COLLABORATION: We work collaboratively with many partners to secure the future health of our lakes since we know the challenges facing our lakes cannot be addressed alone.

EXCELLENCE: We maintain the highest standards in all that we do through our outstanding programs, professional staff, and nonprofit transparency and accountability.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: We strive to expand our programming to under-resourced communities with the greatest risks to lake health.