Maggie Shannon, long-time champion for healthy Maine lakes, has dedicated  over 20 years to helping people understand their important role in protecting the health of Maine’s lakes by reducing lake pollution, enhancing lakeside buffers, and  preserving high-quality shoreline habitat. Under her guiding hand, the LakeSmart homeowner education program has grown exponentially, numerous laws have been put on Maine’s books to protect lake health and water quality, and hundreds of people have been motivated by her impassioned messages to act and  protect the lakes they love. Whether speaking to homeowners, lake association members, legislators or municipal officials, Maggie’s lake education efforts have focused on personal experiences, community approaches, scientific understanding, and most importantly, passion for lake protection.   

Maggie’s reach into lake protection over the past two decades has been both broad and deep. She has  made, and continues to make, lasting impressions with all who have the pleasure of working with her, and  experiencing first-hand her passion, dedication, and love for Maine’s lakes.  

Maine Lakes created the Maggie Shannon Fund for Lake Education to honor Maggie’s distinguished career and to ensure her legacy of passionate outreach about lake health continues long into the future.  

The goal of the Fund is to support education and outreach programming, focusing on projects that bring  about long-term, sustainable behavior change to protect Maine’s lakes. Managed by the Maine Community  Foundation, interest generated by the Fund will support internships, scholarships, or other projects that  further lake outreach and education. The Board of Maine Lakes will set Fund policy and report annually on  Fund growth and spending. FMI, contact Susan Gallo, Maine Lakes Executive Director at sgallo@lakes.me or  (207) 956-1965.  

Please join us in honoring Maggie’s legacy by becoming a donor to the Maggie Shannon Fund for  Lake Education. To contribute, please click here and in the comment field, indicate that these funds are for MSFLE. Thank you!